Age spots---sometimes called liver spots or sun spots---are flat, discolored areas of the skin. Normally brown or yellow, these spots are more common in people over 40, and usually appear in areas of past sun exposure, such as the face, the neck, the backs of the hands, and the legs. Although their medical name---lentigines---sounds alarming, the definition is reassuring: age spots are simply adult freckles. Some are as small as normal freckles, while larger ones can span 1/3 inch across, but all age spots are harmless. However, to be safe, you should have any suspicious wart or mole checked by a doctor. Although your age spots aren't dangerous, you may consider them unattractive. Fortunately, there are a number of safe, natural recipes you can use that can fade age spots considerably.
Lemon Remedy for Age Spots
Step 1
Squeeze the juice from a lemon into a cup or bowl, removing any seeds and straining out any pulp. According to the Mother Nature website, lemon juice is acidic enough to safely peel away the outer layer of skin, which can lighten or even remove age spots.
Step 2
Soak a clean cotton swab with the lemon juice---you can refrigerate the excess---and dab it on the age spots you wish to fade. Target the dark spots exactly. This remedy can be used on your face, but take care not to get it into your eyes. There is no need to remove the lemon juice; in fact, you should try to leave it on as long as possible.
Step 3
Use this remedy once in the morning, and again before going to bed at night. Allow six to eight weeks to see results; your age spots should be much less noticeable.
Onion Remedy for Age Spots
Step 1
Chop or blend a red onion, and use a strainer or cheesecloth to extract 1/4 cup of the juice. Mix well with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar.
Step 2
Dab a cotton ball in the solution and apply to age spots. Leave on at least 30 minutes, and longer if possible.
Step 3
Use this recipe morning and night every day for at least six weeks to see results.
Deluxe Yogurt-Aloe Vera Facial Remedy
Step 1
Mix 1/4 cup plain yogurt with 1/8 cup of organic apple cider vinegar, the juice of 1/4 of a lemon, and a tablespoon of aloe vera juice. Reserve a little of the lemon juice for later.
Step 2
Apply the solution to your face and neck, and allow to dry for 10 minutes, then apply 2 more layers, waiting 10 minutes each time.
Step 3
Rinse your face and neck thoroughly, and pat dry.
Step 4
Dab pure lemon juice on the age spots with a cotton swab, and let it dry. Don't remove the lemon juice.
Step 5
Use a high-quality facial moisturizer to hydrate and soothe skin.
Tips and Warnings
- According to the Home Remedies Web website, you can speed the lightening process of the apple cider vinegar treatment by simply mixing 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of warm water and drinking it twice a day for a month.
- If you have a spot on your skin that is very dark, or that has dramatically changed in appearance, consult your doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic website, other conditions that should be evaluated by a physician include spots that increase rapidly in size, have unusual combinations of colors, or display irregular borders. To prevent worsening of age spots---and the appearance of new ones---use a 15 SPF sunscreen on exposed areas, and wait 15 minutes before going outside to allow the product to be properly absorbed.
Things You'll Need
- Freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Cotton swabs
- 1 red onion
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp aloe vera juice
- High-quality facial moisturizing cream or lotion
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