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Brown spots, also known as age spots or liver spots, are part of the natural aging process. These dark spots are harmless and most commonly appear in individuals over the age of 50, especially those with fair skin, people who are frequently exposed to the sun, or those who use tanning beds. If these brown spots are bothering you, you can try natural remedies to gradually fade them. However, you should see a doctor if the spots look suspicious or if home remedies aren't effective.
Steps
Apply Lemon Juice
Directly apply fresh lemon juice to the brown spots. Lemon juice contains an acid that helps break down melanin, causing dark spots to fade within 1-2 months. The vitamin C in lemon juice also has skin-lightening properties. Slice the lemon and place the slices directly onto the brown spots. Leave it for about 30 minutes, then rinse with running water.
Warning: Lemon juice can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn, so it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight or use sunscreen with SPF 30.
Use lemon juice mixed with sugar. Squeeze the juice from one lemon into a bowl and add 2-4 tablespoons of sugar, gradually adding more until the mixture has a paste-like consistency.
- Use a brush or cotton swab to apply the mixture to each brown spot.
- Leave the mixture on your skin for about 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
- The mixture may dry out your skin, so remember to moisturize after each treatment.
Mix a paste with honey, sugar, and lemon juice. Squeeze the juice from one lemon into a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of sugar (adjust based on the lemon juice amount) and 2 tablespoons of honey to form a thick paste.
- Use a brush or cotton swab to apply the mixture to each brown spot.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
- Honey will provide moisture to protect your skin from drying out.
Use plant enzymes
Learn about the benefits of enzymes. Enzymes are the ‘workforce’ in biochemistry. They alter substances without being depleted, much like natural catalytic converters. Enzymes can help break down melanin into smaller, colorless parts.
- The foods described here contain various types of enzymes, all classified as protein-digesting enzymes (proteases).
- The protein-digesting enzymes here include papain (in papaya), aspartic protease (in potatoes), and bromelain (in pineapple).
Grate a potato and mix with honey. Grate a medium-sized potato (any variety of white potato will do) into a bowl. Add a little honey to the grated potato and mix it into a paste.
- Apply the paste to brown spots on the skin.
- Leave it on for about 15 minutes, then wash it off with cool water.
Make a papaya face mask. Scoop out the flesh of a papaya and mash it thoroughly. You can use a blender for a smoother, creamier texture.
- Use a cotton swab or makeup brush to apply the mask to your face and any areas with brown spots.
- Leave it on until the mask dries, then rinse off with cool water.
Use pineapple juice or a pineapple mask. Pour some fresh pineapple juice into a bowl (make sure it’s 100% pure pineapple juice with no added sugar, or juice it yourself). Use a cotton swab to apply the juice to brown spots and let it dry. Rinse with cool water.
- You can also mash a few slices of pineapple and apply it to the face or any areas with brown spots. Leave it on until the mask dries, then wash with cool water.
Try chickpeas. Cook ½ cup of chickpeas by adding ¼ cup of chickpeas and ½ cup of water to a pot. Boil until soft (about 15 minutes for canned chickpeas, and 1 hour for dry chickpeas), then remove from heat and let cool.
- Once cooled, grind the chickpeas into a paste.
- Apply the paste to brown spots and let it dry, then rinse off with cool water.
Explore other remedies.
Apply plain yogurt directly to the face. Being a dairy product, yogurt contains acids that help lighten dark spots. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt are also helpful because they contain enzymes that break down proteins like melanin.
- Apply the yogurt directly to the dark spots you want to lighten.
- Allow the yogurt to dry, then rinse off with cool water.
Mix yogurt with herbs. Certain herbs can enhance yogurt's ability to lighten skin spots. You can apply a mixture of yogurt and herbs to your face and other areas with dark spots. Let the mixture dry, then rinse with cool water. These herbs, rich in antioxidants and bioflavonoids, help lighten dark spots when combined with yogurt:
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
Try castor oil. Castor oil contains natural antioxidants that protect and brighten the skin. Drop a few drops of castor oil onto a cotton swab and dab it on areas with dark spots. Let the oil absorb into your skin and there's no need to wash it off!
Tip: Castor oil can stain clothing and is difficult to remove, so be careful when applying.
Use vitamin E. Vitamin E has natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties that can help fade dark spots on the skin. You can cut open or puncture a vitamin E capsule and apply it directly to the brown spots. Let it absorb into your skin without rinsing off!
Know when to seek medical treatment.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible if a brown spot darkens or changes shape. Although age spots are typically harmless and common, they can sometimes be a sign of skin cancer. Unlike the steady appearance of sun spots, cancerous spots will darken and alter in shape, such as growing larger or becoming uneven. You can identify potentially cancerous spots using the ABCDE rule, which stands for:
- Asymmetry (asymmetrical shape)
- Borders (irregular borders)
- Colors (varied colors, such as multiple shades of brown, black, or skin tones)
- Diameter (diameter greater than 6mm or changing)
- Evolving (evolving, such as changing in size, shape, and color)
Consider seeing a dermatologist for a cancer screening to be sure. When it comes to health, it's better to be cautious. A dermatologist will examine your brown spots to ensure there are no concerns. Additionally, the dermatologist can help you distinguish between normal and abnormal cases.
- If you're not familiar with a dermatologist, ask your primary care physician for a referral or search online yourself.
Get a skin sample for biopsy. If a doctor suspects a spot may be problematic, they may recommend a biopsy. The area with the spot will be numbed before taking a small skin sample for testing to confirm if the dark spot is benign.
- The biopsy procedure may cause discomfort, but it is not painful.
Ask your doctor if prescription-strength bleaching cream is appropriate for you. If over-the-counter bleaching creams aren't effective, prescription creams may help. These creams can lighten age spots in a few months with regular use.
- For example, a doctor might prescribe a cream called hydroquinone. In some cases, the doctor might add retinoids and mild steroids alongside hydroquinone to speed up the treatment process.
Advice: While using bleaching creams, remember to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 when outdoors, as your skin will be highly sensitive to sunlight.
Discuss treatment options for persistent age spots if you're really concerned. If home remedies aren't working and the brown spots are bothering you, you can opt for treatments performed at a dermatologist's office. These options tend to be more effective than home treatments. Here are a few choices you can consider:
- Laser or light therapy can lighten brown spots, although you may need 2-3 sessions to see results.
- Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and break down the pigmentation of age spots. This method can be slightly uncomfortable and may leave scars.
- Dermabrasion or microdermabrasion is a technique that removes the outermost layer of skin and can lighten brown spots. However, it may require several treatments and could result in redness or scabbing.
- Chemical peels remove the top layer of skin and replace it with new skin. With repeated treatments, this method can lighten age spots, though it may cause redness and discomfort.
Advice
- One of the most effective treatments is prevention! Brown spots worsen when exposed to UV sources like sunlight or tanning beds. Protect your skin with SPF 30 sunscreen and avoid tanning beds.
- Remove makeup thoroughly before trying any of the treatments above. Wash your skin well to eliminate any oils and lotions that could interfere with the treatment process.
Warning
- If you notice any suspicious brown spots, don't hesitate to visit a general practitioner or a dermatologist for an examination. Early detection is key to effective treatment if there is a cause for concern.
- Be mindful of any unusual changes to your skin. Ask a loved one to check areas of your skin that are hard to see, like your back.
