Age spots can be an unsightly condition that begins to form as people age. They can make you seem older on the outside than you feel on the inside, which can decrease overall quality of life. Age spots occur when the skin loses its ability to recover from sun exposure and damage. This damage results in brown spots that appear on exposed areas of the body such as the arms, face, chest, neck, scalp and back. The spots can vary in size and shade, which makes them different from freckles.
However, these techniques will help you get rid of age spots if the damage is already done.
Prevent further damage
Age spots can darken and grow larger with more exposure to the sun, so always apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen whenever you go outside. All it takes is a few minutes for the sun to damage skin.
Lemon Juice
The acid in lemon juice is also known as an effective home remedy that helps to fade appearance of spots on the skin. You should simply dab fresh lemon juice onto the spots twice a day. Leave the juice on your skin for at least half an hour or as long as you feel comfortable with it. You can also leave lemon juice on your skin overnight. In about two months you will begin to notice improvements. It is very important to wait for the lemon juice to dry before you go outdoors, otherwise it can increase your skin's sensibility to sunlight. Those having sensitive skin must dilute the lemon juice with water, rosewater, or honey and then apply it on the affected area. Another option is to dissolve some sugar in lemon juice and then apply the mixture on to the affected area. Leave it for half an hour and then rinse it off. Soon you will get rid of age spots.
Aloe Vera
Generously apply pure aloe vera gel on your skin for 30-45 minutes to diminish sun spots naturally. Follow this remedy twice daily for at least three to four weeks. In case fresh aloe vera gel is not available then you can opt for aloe vera juice which you can easily buy from the market. At the same time you can also drink two tablespoon of aloe vera juice daily on an empty stomach to enjoy healthy skin.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk contains lactic acid which is highly beneficial to the skin. So, when it comes to brown spots you can always rely on buttermilk. Take buttermilk and apply it on to your brown spots with a cotton swab and leave it on the skin for a few minutes before washing the area with plain water. With time the brown spots will start to fade. Those having oily skin or suffering from acne can use buttermilk after adding some lemon juice in it. Another option is to mix four teaspoon of buttermilk and two teaspoon of tomato juice together and then apply this mixture on the affected skin. This will also help to reduce the dark spots.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a safe and easy way to lighten brown spots naturally. Take some plain yogurt and apply it directly onto age spots and leave it to dry for about twenty minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. For faster result you can apply yogurt on the affected area before going to bed and leave it overnight. Alternatively you can make a pack at home by combining one tablespoon of plain yogurt, two tablespoon of ground oatmeal and one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Apply this mixture onto the age spots and allow it to sit for half an hour and then rinse it off with cold water. After this apply some moisturizer. Follow this remedy daily for one to two months to get positive results.
Papaya
There are certain enzymes present in papaya that can help in removing age spots, skin blemishes, acne and so on. Take one tablespoon of fresh raw papaya in grated form and rub it on the brown spots. Leave it for about twenty minutes before washing the area with lukewarm water. Once done the skin will have a cleaner and brighter look. Repeat this remedy twice daily until the brown spots fades away. As some people can be allergic to papaya it is advisable to do a twenty four hours patch test before following this remedy.
Red Currants
You can also try red currants to get rid of brown spots. Take one forth cup of mashed unripe red currants and mix it with one tablespoon of pure honey. Apply this mixture on your affected skin area and leave it on for half an hour. Finally rinse it off with warm water and apply some diluted fresh lemon juice. Another option is to make a mixture with equal amounts of red currant juice, lemon juice, orange juice and parsley juice. Applying with mixture on the affected skin area once daily will help to get rid of your brown spots.
Onion Juice
Another easy way to get rid of age spots is to apply onion juice. Simply slice up some onions and rub the slices over the affected area two to three times a day. The acidic nature and the bleaching property present in onion will help the brown spots to fade. Another option is to mix one tablespoon of onion juice with two tablespoons of honey and then apply the mixture on the affected area for about fifteen minutes. Finally wash the area thoroughly so that the strong smell of the mixture goes off. Along with onion juice you can also try garlic juice.
