Age Spots on Face

Age spots, which are also called liver spots, sun spots, and lentigines are yellow or brown colored blemishes that appear on the skin due to prolonged exposure to the sun. They occur in places where melanin production is concentrated on the skin.

Though they are most commonly seen in people who are above the age of forty, age does not have much connection with their occurrence. One reason for their occurrence in old age is that aging increases the production of melanin.

However, even young people can be affected by this problem. Although age spots can be seen on the areas like neck, back of the hands (areas that are more exposed to the sun), etc., they are most commonly seen on the face.

Though dark spots on face are usually harmless and do not cause any pain or physical discomfort, they can be a little frustrating for the individual. This is because they distort the appearance of the face and make the person look older. Nevertheless, age spots can be removed with proper treatment.

The main cause of this skin problem is the sun's UV rays. The skin tone of human beings is determined by the melanin present in the skin. People having light skin have less melanin, while those who have dark skin have more melanin. This melanin gets produced in more quantities when the UV rays of the sun touch the skin.

After a long period of time, this melanin gets accumulated into small clusters giving rise to dark spots on several areas of the skin. Apart from this, they can also occur due to genetic conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and in very rare conditions, due to impaired functioning of the liver.

Skin aging spots are not permanent marks on face, and they can be removed by proper treatment. Consult a dermatologist who will advise you about several treatment options that you have for getting rid of them.

Cosmetic Remedy
>> Your dermatologist may prescribe a fade cream or anti-aging cream that is made of skin-bleaching agents, especially hydroquinone. Larger the quantity of this bleaching agent in cream, more effective will it be in reducing the spots on the face. However, the problem with these creams is that they can cause damage to the quality of the skin.

>> You can also opt for chemical peels treatment to get rid of dark aging spots. In this, the dermatologist will apply a thin layer of chemical solution containing glycolic acid on the face, and when this layer is taken off, these spots also come off. This is an effective treatment. But, one will need more than one session, which can be a little expensive.

>> Apart from these, you can also opt for the laser treatment. Here, the spots are removed by taking off the surface layer of the affected skin. Another option is cryosurgery, which is done by destroying the unwanted skin cells through freezing.

Natural Remedy
>> People who are scared of treating their aging spots with chemicals and those who really cannot afford the prices of the mentioned treatment measures, can opt for natural ways of doing this from their home itself. Though these home remedies are safe as well as effective, it may take a lot of time to actually see the result.

>> Aloe vera, which is said to be an effective way of treating skin problems, is also beneficial in the treatment. Apply its gel or juice directly on areas of the face that have such spots, and you will surely see them vanishing within a month.

>> Applying apple cider vinegar mixed with onion juice is also a good home remedy for this problem. Other than this, drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar with water can also help in speeding up the recovery process. In a mug of warm or cold water, add three tablespoons of vinegar and drink it twice a day, for a month. You can also add honey for taste.

>> Lemon juice is one of the methods of reducing facial spots. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a bowl and dab it on the skin with a cotton ball. Apart from this, rubbing castor oil is an effective method of curing them.

One of the best ways to prevent the aging spots from occurring is by using a good sunscreen lotion (more than SPF 15) everyday, before going out in the sun.

It is also important to remember that though it is better to opt for home remedies, it is always best to consult a dermatologist before opting for any kind of treatment. This is because only a skin specialist can determine whether these spots are benign or cancerous.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.