Dorothy FarrarHome remedies for age spots
Age spots appear in older people as a result of years of exposure to the sun, especially on the backs of their hands. People who expose their skin to excessive sun radiation can develop age spots even before the age of 30. The best way to get rid of age spots is to use natural bleaching agents.
What are age spots?
Age spots (Lentiginis senilis or Lentiginis solris; individually referred to as lentigo) are benign skin changes that appear primarily with age. They are caused by a strong increase in melanin-producing melanocytes.
The pigment lipofuscin is the cause of the small, large, round, misshapen or sharply defined dark spots. It is formed as a breakdown product of unsaturated fatty acids from the cell membrane and can no longer be broken down by the body at a sufficient rate. As a result, it accumulates in the skin at certain points. In medicine, such spots are also referred to as macula.
Although the phenomenon of age spots can be traced back to processes similar to the development of freckles, age spots no longer fade in winter – with less solar radiation.
Who is affected?
Among other things, the skin type plays a role in its development. Light skin, in which the body produces more pigment as needed, is more often affected. The thickness of the epidermis also plays a role. The more powerful it becomes, the more the body’s own degradation products are impeded. The spots usually appear as light brown and sharply demarcated units and are mainly found in areas that are heavily exposed to the sun, including the backs of the hands, forearms, chest and face.
They are more common in people who have had a lot of sun exposure over the course of their lives and who have used insufficient sun protection. In principle, however, even a consistently applied sun protection factor does not necessarily protect against the appearance of skin changes. After all, age also plays a not inconsiderable role in its development. It can also affect those in their 30s and 40s. By the age of sixty, age spots are common in large population groups. They are very rare in very young people, but can occur. In all cases, they represent at most a cosmetic problem.
causes
Age spots join the picture of skin changes that can be traced back to UV-related chronic skin damage. However, they are completely harmless and must therefore be distinguished from black and white skin cancer. Nevertheless, there is a form of black skin cancer (lentigo malignant melanoma) and a form of white skin cancer (actinic keratosis) that are similar to age spots in their appearance. The diagnostic relevance of age spots is therefore primarily focused on those that appear quickly and on those spots that change quickly. Clarification makes sense.
What helps against age spots?
- An ancient home remedy for age spots is buttermilk. The buttermilk is rubbed on the skin. The lactic acid contained in buttermilk gently removes sun-damaged and pigmented skin.
- A very effective bleaching agent and therefore an anti-aging agent is hydroquinone. This ingredient requires a prescription, but any family doctor will prescribe it if you suffer from age spots.
- On sunny days it is very useful to wear a sun hat. The edge should be at least 10 cm wide so that the face, neck and neck are adequately protected from the sun. It is best if the hat has a linen or cotton lining, as this provides greater protection. In addition, you should always pay attention to adequate protection with sunscreen.
- Another home remedy for age spots is an oil containing vitamin E. This oil is best applied after each visit to the sun. Since vitamin E is an antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals and can thus prevent the formation of age spots. It is important to note that this oil should only be applied AFTER sunbathing, as vitamin E itself produces free radicals when exposed to the sun.
Quick help with age spots
- A quick help for age spots is concealing cream. Cover sticks that contain oil are best, so that the skin is supplied with moisture and oil at the same time. It is best to consult a beautician about the shade. A little tip is always to choose a lighter color than a darker one than your own skin tone.
- Since age spots are caused by excessive sunbathing or simply years of sun exposure on the skin, the sun should be avoided at its strongest. In summer, this means that between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sky is cloudless, you should only go out in the fresh air with a very high sun protection factor.
Alternative remedies
- An alternative remedy for age spots is lemon juice. The juice is applied to the spots twice a day. The slight acidity of the juice removes the outer layer along with age spots.
- Another alternative remedy for age spots is the medicinal plant aloe vera . Ingredients in this plant stimulate the growth of new and healthy cells and also promote the shedding of old dead skin cells. Such a gel can be bought in pharmacies and health food stores. Alternatively, the juice from the leaves of a fresh plant can be applied to the age spots.
- A mixture of honey and plain yogurt is yet another natural remedy for age spots. Because this mixture acts as a natural bleaching agent. To apply this mixture, mix 1 teaspoon plain yoghurt and 1 teaspoon honey. After 30 minutes, the paste is washed off with lukewarm water. This treatment is repeated daily.
See pigment spots for more information . Normal age spots that look similar to freckles are not dangerous. But they can be dangerous when mistaken for melanoma (skin cancer). Therefore, if the home remedies listed here are ineffective, a dermatologist should be consulted. Age spots can also be removed. However, this treatment is not covered by health insurance.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.