Age spots are brown marks that often appear on the skin after the age of 40, says MayoClinic.com. While they are harmless, they are also unsightly, prompting many to have them removed. Thankfully, you don't have to resort to invasive medical treatments to remove age spots, as a number of herbal remedies can help.
About Age Spots
Age spots are also known as liver spots and appear as brown or grey patches on the skin, says MayoClinic.com. They are most common in people with fair skin over the age of 40, but people of any age and skin type can develop age spots. They generally appear on the areas of the body that have had the most exposure to the sun, have experienced the most sun damage, or both, such as your hands, arms and face.
Causes
Age spots are caused by overexposure to the sun, but unlike skin cancer, they are not dangerous, says MayoClinic.com. They arise because ultraviolet rays boost the production of melanin, which is what gives skin its color and causes it to tan. Age spots are the result of excess melanin that has accumulated in patches over many years. However, some people simply produce more melanin as they age and their age spots appear without having been overexposed to the sun.
Herbal Treatments
The important thing to remember with any nonsurgical treatment is that it may take time several months to work, just as the spots themselves took years to form, says Herbal-Home-Remedies.org. One natural remedy is to grate an onion and squeeze it through a fine cloth so you only have the juice. Add two teaspoons of vinegar to one teaspoon of onion juice and rub into your age spots twice a day. Applying a paste of mashed chickpeas and water has also been known to fade age spots, as has fresh lemon juice.
Prevention/Solution
The best way to treat age spots is to prevent them in the first place. You can do this by minimizing your exposure to the sun and always using sun protection, including sunscreen, a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses, says MayoClinic.com. Try wearing lightweight, long-sleeved shirts when you're outside in the sun, and cotton gloves to protect your hands when you're driving. Remember, age spots develop over years, so it's best to use these prevention techniques from an early age.
Precautions
While age spots are harmless, some serious skin cancers can look very similar, says MayoClinic.com. The main difference is that a skin cancer will change color and shape and if you suspect that is what your spot is doing, you should see a doctor immediately.
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