Over time, the skin changes tone , and small brown circles appear, especially on the face and hands. Age spots may seem unsightly, but they are normal and quite common.
If you want to get rid of them, there are several home remedies that can help. We’ll present them to you in this article.
Age spots
The changes that occur in the body as we age are undeniable. Among them are “solar lentigines,” also known simply as “age spots.” They are one of the most common signs of aging , but they appear much earlier: by age 40 they are already present.
These spots are larger than freckles, dark in color and flat, and develop mainly on:
- The back of the hands
- The forehead
- The arms
- The face
- The upper part of the chest.
Although they do not have serious health consequences, many people want to avoid or remove them for aesthetic reasons.
Cause of age spots
Although humans need exposure to ultraviolet rays to produce vitamin D, excessive exposure can damage the skin. In fact, excessive sun exposure is the main cause of skin blemishes.
Spending many hours outdoors, especially in summer, damages the superficial layers of the skin and accelerates the degenerative process .
Another trigger for skin blemishes is photosensitizing substances (found, for example, in some perfumes ), which cause an allergic reaction upon contact with sunlight. Some people are also more prone to lentigines due to genetic predisposition.
How to prevent age spots
Many women (and some men) worry about spots on their hands or face only after they have already appeared.
However, early prevention of this problem is very important. Starting around age 30 or 35, it’s recommended to change some habits to reduce the appearance of those unsightly brown marks:
1. Avoid excessive sun exposure
It is very important to protect yourself from UV rays to avoid skin damage. When the sun is very intense (for example, at midday in summer), it causes mild burns on the skin that later turn into spots.
2. Use sun protection factor
On sunny and hot days, it’s recommended to use a cream with at least SPF 30. Sunscreens and sunblocks for children can also be very helpful if you have very fair or sensitive skin.
3. Wear appropriate clothing
In addition to not going out between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in summer, it is also advisable to wear clothes that cover the whitest areas of the skin (for example, the back).
4. Eat fruits and vegetables
Nutrition is essential to keep us healthy inside and out.
- We recommend that you consume plenty of natural fruit juices, salads, soups, gazpacho , and any other recipes you can think of that include raw, seasonal vegetables
me remedies
If the first marks have appeared on your skin due to sun exposure or the passage of time, don’t despair. There are several natural remedies that can reduce them:
1. Chickpea face mask
This is a very common remedy, and although there’s no scientific evidence to support it, chickpeas are rich in antioxidants, which are known to be good for the skin. This mask is easy to prepare, and the ingredients are readily available. We recommend using canned chickpeas to avoid cooking them for hours.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of cooked chickpeas (150 g)
- ¼ cup of water (62 ml)
Preparation
- Place the chickpeas, previously washed, in a container.
- Add the water little by little, while you pound with a mortar.
- Once a uniform paste is formed, apply it to the stains (the area must be clean and dry).
- Leave for 20 minutes to dry completely.
- Do not rinse: let the dried toothpaste “fall off” on its own.
- Repeat this treatment every night.
2. Lemon juice
The high acid content penetrates the skin layers and removes blemishes. This remedy should be applied at night to avoid the opposite effect : lemon juice can cause staining when exposed to sunlight. It’s perfect for when the first marks appear.
- It’s as simple as cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it on your skin after bathing.
- After a few minutes, rinse with warm water.
- If you don’t have lemons, you can try red onions, which offer the same results.
Check out this article: 6 ways to use lemon in your beauty routines
3. Dandelion
This plant is very effective at removing age spots. Don’t hesitate to keep it at home. The treatment is very simple:
- Open a dandelion stem horizontally to extract the liquid from inside.
- Rub it on the marks up to three times a day. Do not rinse.
- You can do the same with the gel from inside the aloe vera leaf (another plant that should not be missing from the home).
4. Apple cider vinegar
You probably have this ingredient in your kitchen. It has similar effects to lemon, due to its acidity .
- If you mix it with your usual hand cream (2 parts cream and 1 part vinegar), you will achieve an amazing homemade remedy to remove age spots.
If you have age spots on your skin, don’t despair. Consult a dermatologist to discover the best treatments to reduce their appearance and prevent more from forming.
