Home Remedies for Brown Age Spots

Home Remedies for Brown Age Spots
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According to Dr. Eileen Lambroza, dermatology expert at Cornell Medical Center in New York City, brown spots are caused by sun exposure. They usually build over time, as the pigment melanin is overproduced and clusters in certain areas of the body. Age spots are more common on the face, chest and hands. Darker, larger brown age spots might require medical treatment if you want to make them disappear completely, but lighter spots can be treated at home with some measure of success.

Bleaching Products

Lemon juice can help bleach the skin and lighten the spots. Dab fresh lemon juice directly on the spots, as recommended by medical site DocShop. Repeat twice a day for at least two months. Vinegar can be used alone or mixed with other products or ingredients to help fade dark spots. HealthGuidance recommends mixing apple cider vinegar with orange juice. In all cases, apply to the spots using a cotton ball and leave on the skin for 30 minutes. Wash with fresh water afterwards.

Exfoliating the Skin

To get rid of dead cells and promote new, brighter skin, try exfoliating daily. You can do this using a brush or loofah, a scrub gel or cream. If you prefer to go the natural way, mix some olive oil with sugar to use as a scrub. After cleaning your face, try garlic and onion. They are both exfoliants, so they can help lighten the spots by getting rid of old skin. Onion in particular can cause your skin to peel, which accelerates the lightening of the spots. Rub directly on the spots or try extracting the juice first and then use a cotton ball. Repeat for at least six weeks to start seeing results.

Skin Brighteners

According to HealthGuidance, the lactic acid in buttermilk can help lighten spots. Leave on for up to 20 minutes and then wash your face with fresh water. You can also try applying aloe vera juice on the spots. You can extract the pulp from the plant and smash it, or rub a peeled leaf directly on the spots.

References

Article reviewed by Carolyn Williams Last updated on: Sep 29, 2010

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