Age spots are an essential part of our lives. They occur regardless of age or sex. Everyone has them. Usually, these tiny brown spots appear on the skin after being exposed to the sun for a long period of time. On the other hand, they might occur as a result of aging. People above the age of 50 are more likely to have them.
What causes them?
The ultraviolet sun rays are the reason for the development of the sun spots. When our skin is being too much exposed to these rays, our body begins to produce melanin in order to tan the skin. That way, it creates a shield so it can protect the skin layers. Therefore, age spots appear on the face, shoulders, neck, and arms, i.e. on the body parts which are exposed to the sun the most.
Although they are harmless, dark spots might grow bigger or become darker. In such cases, you should consult with your doctor. Additionally, if you notice that the dark spots are being tender, bleeding, or red, visit a doctor immediately.
What to do about them?
You will not need a treatment given that the age spots are harmless and are not connected with any health issues.
Prescription Medications
Most of the time, in order to fade them, doctors prescribe bleaching creams which contain hydroquinone. The creams work gradually and they need a couple of months to eliminate the spots. Also, you must wear sunscreen constantly to prevent making your skin even more sensitive to UV rays.
Medical Procedures
The most common medical procedure used for the treatment of age spots include:
- dermabrasion, that removes the outer skin layers, thus making room for the new skin to grow
- cryosurgery, that freezes the age spots
- laser treatment, to eliminate the cells that produce melatonin
- chemical peels, to burn the outer skin layer
Home Treatments
There are numerous homemade treatments that are proven to make miracles for age spots. The following one was developed and presented by the author of Quantum Paleo and nutrition expert, Dr. Doug Willen. To make it, dice some fresh onion and put them in a bag. Then, crush them in order to release their juices. Next, put the onion juice in a blender together with ½ cup of ACV and blend until everything becomes well combined. Then, dip one cotton ball in the mixture and pat it on the age spots. Do this once a day and you will see the improvements after 3 weeks.
Can you prevent them?
Prevention is better than the cure, obviously, no matter how good this recipe is. Therefore, the best thing you can do in order to deal with them at the first place is to stop them from occurring.
According to Dr. Peat, Ph.D. age spots do not occur only as a result of too much sun exposure. Unsaturated fats, excess iron, and hormone imbalances contribute to the age spots development. So, in order to prevent them, get rid of all polyunsaturated fats in your diet and check your iron levels.
Source: besthealthyguide.com