The treatments and home remedies for age spots include the use of a laser, intense pulsed light therapy, chemical peel, dermabrasion, freezing, and medicines. There are also natural treatments for liver spots like lemon juice, yogurt, aloe vera juice, papaya, among others which are regarded as effective and safe due to the use of all natural ingredients with no side effects.
Age spots or liver spots are small, highly pigmented areas on your skin. They are primarily seen in the sun-exposed areas of your skin like the face, hands, shoulders, and arms, which is why they are also called solar lentigines. These spots are common in those over 40 years of age, but can also manifest due to overexposure to UV rays, genetics, and increasing age. While they look like cancerous growths, they are mostly harmless and don’t need treatment.
Medical Treatments
There are a number of medical treatments available to lighten or remove the age spots. The pigment causing age spots is located at the base of the epidermis (the topmost layer of the skin), making it necessary to penetrate this layer for any treatment. Here are some commonly practiced treatments for age spots:
Laser and Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
This therapy works to destroy melanin-producing cells without causing any damage to the skin’s surface. This treatment requires more than one sessions to fade away the age spots. Laser Therapy also has a few side effects, like slight discoloration of the skin. [1]
Medicines
Medicinal treatment includes the use of bleaching creams, used alone or in combination with the retinoid. Mild steroids can also be used in the treatment as they help in spot removal over a period of several months. [2]
Chemical Peel
This involves the application of an acid that burns the outermost layer of your skin, and so the age spots. After the treatment, new and flawless skin forms while replacing the burned skin.
Freezing (Cryotherapy)
In this treatment, liquid nitrogen is applied to the age spots. This destroys the extra pigment and thereby helps the skin to get rid of spots. A point to note here is that freezing can also pose a slight risk of permanent scarring or discoloration. [3]
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is the process of rapidly rotating a brush over the surface of your skin. It removes the top layer of the skin and a new layer of the skin forms at its place. It can cause temporary redness or scab formation on the skin. [4]
The medical treatments recommended by dermatologists for removal or reduction of age spots are effective, but can sometimes be harsh. This is because the treatments are done using chemicals that may be detrimental to your health in some way. Fortunately, there are several home remedies known to reduce or remove age spots. They sometimes take a little longer but are not heavy on your pocket and have no side effects as well. [5]
Age spots are marks that commonly appear on the skin after prolonged sun exposure. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Home Remedies for Age Spots
Let’s take a look at some of the proven home remedy options to get rid of these unwanted blemishes:
Lemon Juice & Yogurt
Both lemon juice and yogurt act as bleaching agents as they help in lightening these spots. Other properties of lemon like citric acid, antioxidants, etc. also help in fading away from the dark spots.
Castor Oil
Age spots can sometimes be rough in texture. If the same is the case with you, apply castor oil on the spots twice a day regularly for few months. You will see a distinct improvement in the appearance where the texture becomes smooth.
Onion & Apple Cider Vinegar
Onion is a good remedy for age spots. Blend an onion and drain it, with the help of a strainer, into a bowl. Mix an equal amount of apple cider vinegar to this and apply over the spots with a cotton swab dipped in this decoction. This will certainly help in removing the age spots. You can also apply onion separately on the spots given to its Vitamin C rich composition. [6]
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera has been found to have tremendous potential in treating dermatological conditions like burns and scars. Gel or juice obtained from aloe vera can be directly rubbed on affected regions to treat them. [7]
Horseradish
Use of horseradish helps clear age spots. Mix some horseradish in a bowl of milk for 20-30 minutes and then apply the mixture on the spots. Because of its richness in antioxidants and other volatile compounds, the appearance of the spots will fade away rapidly.
Olive Oil & Vinegar
A mixture of olive oil and vinegar can be used to erase the age spots. This mixture should be washed off with water within half an hour of its application.
Papaya
Papaya pulp can be rubbed on the spotted area. Wash it off after 15-20 minutes of its application. Daily use of this remedy will help yield maximum results.
Orange Juice & Apple Cider Vinegar
2 to 3 spoons of orange juice can be mixed in a half spoon of apple cider vinegar. If this mixture is applied on the spots for about a month, you can expect a visible result.
Buttermilk & Tomato
Due to the presence of acid in buttermilk and tomato, they prove to be very beneficial in removing age spots. Not just that, they also act as an effective cleanser.
Papaya helps to clean the skin. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Watermelon
Rich in antioxidant compounds and vitamin C, rubbing the rind of a watermelon on the age spots will help improve the condition.
Garlic
The paste of garlic has been observed to be effective in treating age spots.
Cucumber Juice
The bleaching properties of cucumber’s organic compounds help improve the appearance of the skin by reducing age spots.
Dandelion
The dandelion stem has been proven to cure a number of skin problems. Age spots can also be effectively treated by consuming this powerful plant every day.
Radish, Vinegar, Lime Juice & Rosemary Oil
A concoction of lime juice, radish, rosemary oil and vinegar is prepared and applied to the affected area. This not only cleanses the skin but also brightens it.
Rose Water & Sandal Powder
Make a paste of these and then apply it on the affected areas. Leave it to dry for some time, and then wash it with fresh water.
Prevention
To prevent the appearance of age spots on your skin, you can take certain precautions. These include:
- Shade: Individuals who stay indoors or under the shade do not suffer age spots that are a result of sun exposure. Therefore, it can be avoided if your skin is not exposed to UV rays.
- Covering the skin: The areas prone to getting these spots must be kept covered with sunscreen or a piece of clothing when under the sun.
You can follow the above to prevent these unwanted spots. Besides causing some emotional distress and change in the appearance of the skin, there is not much harm that can be caused by the presence of age spots. In most cases, they are treatable and non-cancerous.
