Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Age Spots on Skin

These days most of the advertisements of skin creams claim that they can help diminish age spots. Ever wondered what exactly are age spots? It is a misconception that these age spots are caused by old age. The current environmental problem is not only eating away our ozone layer, but also leaving its mark on our skin in the form of premature age spots on skin. The real causes of age spots and their prevention are mentioned below.

Causes of Age Spots on Skin

Sun is the main culprit of age spots on skin. In fact, age spots have very little to do with aging. The ultraviolet rays in the sun tan and burn the skin, and overtime, pigmentation occurs and brown age spots on skin appear. In some cases, with age, melanin production in the skin increases, as a result of which age spots can appear. Some people refer to them as liver spots, but age spots on skin are also better known as freckles. These freckles, usually appear in areas that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as arms, shoulders, hands, and on the face. Age spots on skin can often be confused for other skin conditions such as skin moles. A dermatologist can help you identify age spots, as they are brown in color and form flat circles on the skin, though sometimes they appear as red age spots as well. They are very small in size and usually appear in a cluster. Age spots on face are usually more prominent around the eyes.

Treatments to Remove Age Spots on Skin

Skin Lightening Creams
To remove age spots on skin, it is not necessary to spend huge amounts of money visiting professional clinics. If the age spots are light, one can use over the counter bleaching products to lighten the age spots on skin and face or even some homemade skin lighteners. You can also camouflage age spots by using lotions etc. Ask the salon lady about facial peels. A quick fix for age spots on skin and face is a concealer. Just dab a little on the affected ares and watch them disappear, temporarily at least.

Professional Treatments
Try to to do exfoliation at home, or you can also get a professional exfoliation treatment done. You can also try treatments like microdermabrasion and laser skin rejuvenation. Chemical peels that remove the dead layer of the skin are also available. The main ingredient in retinoids is vitamin A, which is very good for skin rejuvenation. Treatments like cryotherapy, where a freezing agent like liquid nitrogen is applied on the age spots on the skin to destroy the excess pigmentation, are also popular. Skin polisher treatments also help remove the age spots. More on facial skin care.

Prevention of Age Spots on Skin

Natural Remedies
Are you wondering how to remove age spots on skin? Don't fret, these home remedies are easy to use and very beneficial when it comes to the treatment of age spots. Rubbing a freshly cut lemon on the skin twice a day, reduces the prominence of age spots, as also rubbing cucumber on the skin can help. You can also try a papaya paste on the skin. A mixture of vinegar and olive oil can also help lighten the age spots on skin. Applying castor oil on the skin can be greatly beneficial. Also try applying a mixture of cider vinegar and orange juice on the spots. Some women also apply slices of onion on the area affected by age spots. For detailed information on home remedies read age spots home remedies.

Face Creams
Regular exfoliation of the skin at home, can also help rejuvenate and refresh the skin. Bleach the skin using some fade away creams, but always use a sunscreen. Try some face whitening creams that act by slowly removing the dead layer of the skin. Alpha hydroxy acid can also help remove age spots. But, the most effective way to prevent age spots is to avoid excessive exposure to the sun, especially during the time when the sun is the strongest. Always apply skin creams that contain an effective sunscreen, and the sunscreen should be at least SPF15.

Fairer skin is more prone to age spots, so in summers, wear a hat and don't forget to wear sunglasses to protect the fragile area near the eyes. Also, increase the intake of vitamin C and E. Like they say, prevention is better than cure, so take care of your skin when you are going out in the sun. If a regularskin care routine is followed, I'm sure you will see a great deal of reduction in age spots on skin.