Sunspots
Other Names : Lentigines
These are flat areas of skin discoloration that can be tan or varying shades of brown. They appear on the parts of your body that get the most sun exposure, such as your face, shoulders, back, and the backs of your hands. They often start to appear around the age of 40, though some people may develop them earlier or later in life, depending on the amount of sun exposure they’ve had.
See also :
Home Remedies
- Aloe Vera contains active compounds, including aloin and aloesin, which have both been found to effectively lighten hyperpigmentation, including sunspots.
- Apple cider vinegar : The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may help lighten sunspots when applied regularly, according to a 2009 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
- Radium Weed : The milky sap can be applied to sunspots for 2-4 days. You do not need a lot of the sap just a drop on the area to be treated. The site will fester and be quite unsightly, followed by a scab, then fresh pink skin. Fresh aloe gel can be applied to aid healing.
- Black Tea. A 2011 study on guinea pig skin found that applying black tea water to tanned spots twice a day for four weeks had a skin-lightening effect.
- Green Tea. Green tea extract has been found to have a depigmenting effect, according to a 2013 review in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery.
- Licorice extract. Licorice extract is a common ingredient in many commercially available creams for sunspots because it’s been shown to lighten skin discoloration caused by sun damage.
- Milk, sour milk, and buttermilk contain lactic acid that may help lighten skin pigmentation, including sunspots. Research has shown it to be effective in lightening melasma.
- Vitamin C : The antioxidant properties of vitamin C offer several benefits related to the sun, including a protective effect against UVA and UVB rays. Applying vitamin C topically is also an effective way to lighten various dark spots caused by the sun.
- Vitamin E : Evidence suggests that dietary vitamin E and topical vitamin E oil help protect your skin against sun damage and lighten sunspots.
- Topical creams : There are several creams available over-the-counter that can be applied at home to fade sunspots. Creams containing hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid, or deoxyarbutin are the most effective.
Warnings
You may not like the way they look, but sunspots are usually harmless and don't require medical care. However, your doctor should evaluate spots that are dark or have changed in appearance, because these changes can be signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
It's best to have any new skin changes evaluated by a doctor, especially if a spot or lesion:
- Is darkly pigmented
- Is rapidly increasing in size
- Has an irregular border
- Has an unusual combination of colors
- Is accompanied by itching, redness, tenderness or bleeding
Medical Disclaimer
This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.
