Brown Spots On Skin - Remedies and Prevention Tips
What Is Brown Spots On Skin?
Skin spots, age spots, dark skin spots, hyperpigmentation, or sometimes called liver spots- No matter what you call them –We all hate blotchy, spotty skin!
Age spots are flat, red, or brown “waxy look” discoloration of skin which can occur on many areas of the face and body. They look like large freckles.
Age spots usually wait to materialize later in life, although they can develop at any age and all skin types. People who burn easily or have freckles are more prone for age spots.
What Causes Brown Skin Spots?
The most common causes of brown spots on skin are the result of unprotected exposure to the sun’ rays and the normal aging process.
The more our skin is exposed to the sun, the production of melanin increases to protect it from any kind of damage. Melanin is what gives our skin color and is a key component in our skin’s defense from the sun.
When prolonged exposure continues over time, melanin begins to get collected into small clusters and will not always be distributed evenly throughout the skin thus, leaving darker areas or sun spots on skin.
These brown skin sun spots once deposited are very stubborn and hard to get rid of.
Remove Age Spots
Although brown spots on skin are not a medical concern they detract from the skin’s natural beauty and can make you feel old.
Thankfully – You don’t have to live with skin spots! - There is a multitude of ways to fade dark spots or get rid of age spots completely.
Home Remedies For Age Spots Treatment
Cosmetics- To help camouflage facial age spots use a cream- based concealer that’s lighter than your skin tone.
Age spots on face can be hidden quite well with the right foundation or concealer.
Fresh lemon slices or lemon juice will fade age spots. Cut a slice of fresh lemon and place it on your spot for 15-20 minutes or apply juice to skin with a Q-tip.
Grate 1 Tablespoon of horseradish into either 1 Tablespoon vinegar, buttermilk, or lemon juice to help lighten age spots. Apply mixture to spots. Keep paste mixture on 15-20 min. Rinse thoroughly.
Natural Aloe Vera gel or juice - Fresh Aloe has effective healing properties, beneficial in the treatment of bleaching age spots on face or body.
Green Papaya- Rub the fleshy side of a green papaya on the skin’ aging spots. Leave on for 15-20 minutes.
Other natural ingredients that have natural bleaching properties include Cucumber, Oranges, Lime juice, Saffron, Turmeric powder, Sandalwood powder, Onion juice, Castor oil, Sour cream, and Apple cider vinegar.
Do not expect immediate results using mild home remedies to treat aging brown spots. Fading will be gradual. You may also want to try-
Topical Fade Creams and Lotions-
Age spot creams can help fade areas of unwanted pigmentation by disrupting the production and distribution of melanin in the skin. Skin tone is brightened and refreshed while blocking melanin synthesis.
Look for age spot products which contain ingredients such as Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Licorice extract, Vitamin C, Orange peel extract, etc.
Skin bleaching products work in conjunction with products such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids or Retin-A for better results in age spots removal.
Age Spot Removal - Professional Treatment Measures
Cryotherapy –
The use of a freezing agent such as liquid nitrogen applied to the brown skin spots to destroy the dark pigmentation.
Chemical peels (alpha and beta hydroxyl acids) –
Chemical peel treatments is effective for skin rejuvenation and removing age spots.
Treatment for age spots can be successfully done with a series of light peels or a more aggressive solution.
The peeling agent reduces the effects of aging by damaging the skin, revealing fresh new unblemished skin once the skin is healed.
Laser resurfacing , photofacial treatments –
These very effective treatments focus on breaking up pigment to reveal fresh glowing skin below. Acne sufferers have found these treatments very helpful to eliminate the acne dark spots or red spots left on areas where they once had acne.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion-
Both treatments (dermabrasion being more aggressive) removes layers of skin through sanding.
This resurfacing technique improves irregularities and removes unwanted pigmentation in the skin's surface.
It improves the contour and achieves a rejuvenated appearance as a new layer of remodeled skin replaces the damaged skin.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure-
Avoid the sun between 10am and 3pm- The sun's rays can damage your skin and cause age spots, even on cloudy days.
Wear protective clothing/aids- Hats, long sleeved shirts, and pants, umbrella, UV-resistant sunglasses…
Use a broad spectrum sun screen on a daily basis- (This means that the sunblock protects against both UVA and UVB rays). Choose a sunscreen with a high-SPF level.
Apply a quality anti aging hand cream- Age spots on hands will always give away your age! (Look for ingredients such as vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, and green tea extracts)
Use a Glycolic acid cleanser- It will help exfoliate dead skin cells and encourage skin cell regeneration.
*Be aware- Some spots may be confused for other skin conditions or develop into a more aggressive medical condition- If your spots concern you or if you notice a spot that has changed shape ,texture, size, or color - consult your doctor
Dark skin spots are not harmful but they definitely lessen the beauty of your skin.
Choose a method of treatment that best suits your needs, affordability and comfort levels to help remove these irritating brown spots on skin.