As we age, our skin loses many of its defenses and reacts more strongly to damage. So, over time, we begin to notice what are called “sun spots” or “age spots.” Officially called solar lentigenis, these spots are flat, dark, discolored patches on the skin.1 These patches are not painful and usually harmless, but probably disturbing because they are discoloring your skin. If you have sun spots, be sure to have the doctor look at them during your annual check up to make sure they aren’t early stages of more serious skin conditions. Also, watch these spots closely, and if they begin to change over time, get back to the doctor for a check up.
For your run of the mill age spots, there are ways to combat this condition. First of all, start wearing sun screen of at least SPF 15. The nice sun tan you got today is actually an injury to your skin. And it will show up as wrinkles or sun spots in the next 10 or 20 years.
Stay out of the sun during peak hours. We get the most damage to our skin during 11:00 am and 4:00 pm when the sun is highest in the sky. If you can get out of the sun, or at least cover up with long sleeved shirts and pants, you will protect your skin from any damaging rays. Since not going out during peak hours of fun-time is probably not happening, be sure to carry that sun screen with you!
If you are looking to treat your age spots, try homemade recipes that use lemon juice, onion juice, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, fresh garlic, or vitamin E. All of these ingredients help in either smoothing out skin texture or correcting skin color. See some recipes from Home Remedies Web and Doc Shop.
Another remedy that Bess and I have found is Rosehip Seed Oil. Apply this oil directly to your age spots, or mix with your facial moisturizer for use on the whole face. I gave some to my mother for her to use, and within a few weeks her age spots were visibly lighter. Remember though, none of these are immediate fixes. It took years of sun damage for your skin to develop this condition, and it will take time to reduce the effects of this damage.
Photo Courtesty of africa at www.freedigitalphotos.net
Sources
1Ask Your Pharmacist. “What are Sun spots”. Accessed September 12, 2011. http://www.drugstore.com/ask/what-are-sunspots/qxa1157
