Age Spots Treatment And Home Remedies

Age spots are caused by irregular elevations in the production of melanin, the pigment which gives color to the skin. This takes place in the epidermis or the outer layer of the skin. Age spots are painless and do not lead to any serious skin discoloration. They can be either light brown or black in color. Age spots are also referred to as liver spots or brown spots.

Skin discoloration in the form of age spots occurs due to pigmentation of the skin. This can be caused by several factors. The primary cause of age spots is excessive exposure to sunlight.

Since the discoloration is caused due to the ultra violet radiation that sunlight contains, the same discoloration can even occur from exposure to sun lamps or tanning beds which also use ultra violet radiation. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, the production of melanin increases so that the deeper layers of the skin may be protected. This is what results in a tan. However, in certain areas of the skin, there may be a higher concentration of the pigment or the excess melanin may become clumped together.

Age spots develop very slowly over a period of time and occur only after many years of exposure to the sun. The natural process of ageing can also lead to the development of age spots. This is because with age, the production of melanin may also increase. Genetic factors are known to be involved in the susceptibility to age spots. In some cases, an excessive buildup of toxins in the tissues of the body may also cause dark spots on the skin.

Application of cucumber juice or rubbing fresh cucumber slices over the affected areas helps in lightening age spots. One can also rub fresh garlic juice on the spots for a period of six weeks. A paste of chick peas is also known to help in fading away age spots on the skin. A well known home remedy that is known to be very beneficial in the treatment of age spots is the application of a mixture of onion and vinegar.

Mix two tablespoons each of onion juice and apple cider vinegar and apply this to the spots. One must keep in mind that if the spots appear to change in color, size or texture; it is advisable to consult a doctor as it could be indicative of an underlying disease.