Age spots are simply an area of flat brownish skin discolourations found on skin throughout the body. They are unlikely to go away overnight. But it can be treated naturally with time and consistent effort.
Age spots may occur in clusters or alone and they are referred to as liver spots and solar lentigines. Solar lentigines are age spots which are caused by sun exposure. Age spots commonly appear on areas of the body that are exposed to sunlight for a prolonged time like the hands, face, shoulders and arms.
Age spots may appear in younger individuals depending on the amount of sun exposure received over a period of time. Only a physician can determine whether the spot on the skin is a harmless age spot or is it harmful skin cancer. A biopsy of an age spot may be taken to rule out cancer as it’s a procedure that entails the removal of and testing of a small piece of the affected skin.
For preventing age spots, sunscreens are very helpful; they help block ultraviolet rays produced by the sun. When the skin is unprotected UV rays accelerate the production of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a dark pigment in the epidermis that gives skin its colour. To prevent the skin from harmful UV rays, the production of melanin increases. This increase in melanin production causes the skin to tan in the sun. Abnormally high concentrations of melanin clumped together forms a dark spot, such as an age spot.
Although age spots are harmless, many people opt to remove them through various treatments like bleaching, dermabrasion, cryotherapy, chemical skin peels and laser removal. The treatments are expensive and physically unpleasant, so it is usually recommended to go for proactive prevention to avoid age spots. Proactive prevention includes use of broad-spectrum sunscreens, as well as avoiding sun exposure during high intensity hours.
Do’s and Don’ts for age spots:
- Drink fresh juices of vegetables and fruits which are good for metabolism. Eat loads of green vegetables like palak, methi, cabbage, peas, spinach, beet and fruit salad in your diet.
- Cover your hands, face etc. from direct sunlight.
- Use herbal based sunscreen lotion as they are good for protecting skin from excessive harmful sun rays. Whenever you go out in the sunny days do not forget to use sunscreen cream (30-60 minutes prior) for its good skin penetration as they prevent age spots.
- Drink lots of water as it removes the toxic substances from your body. Oily foods, junk foods should be avoided. Do not smoke and avoid alcohol.
- Eat eggs, soybean and cheese products in your diet. Small amount of sun rays are effective for your health but stay away from excessive sun as they cause skin pigmentation, wrinkles and age spots.
