Age spots or liver spots are flat, brown pigment spots that often appear on the back of the hand. The best protection against age spots is good sun protection.

 

If it is already too late and you already have age spots, you can buy bleaching creams in pharmacies and drugstores. However, it can take a few months to see results. Also, at least from now on, always apply sun cream when you leave the house.

 

Alternative remedies for the treatment of age spots

 

Apply fresh lemon juice to the dark spots twice a day. Citric acid removes the outer skin layer during prolonged treatment so that the age spots become paler.

 

A honey and yoghurt paste acts as a natural bleaching agent that can lighten age spots. Apply once a day and leave on for 30 minutes.

 

Aloe vera gel, especially when freshly squeezed from the plant, contains substances that remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells. Apply aloe vera gel to the age spots once or twice a day.

 

Buttermilk is a natural remedy for removing age spots. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates sun-damaged and pigmented areas of skin.

 

Mix a little baking soda half and half with hydrogen peroxide and mix with a little water to form a viscous paste. Apply to the stains, leave to dry and rinse off.

 

Strawberries can be used to make a gentle and effective mask for age spots and freckles. Mix 1 strawberry with a teaspoon of whipped cream and apply to cleansed skin. Leave on for 15 minutes and wipe off with a warm, damp flannel.

 

Covering age spots

 

Age spots can be covered with camouflage make-up from the pharmacy. It is important to use the right shade of foundation, usually a little lighter than your own skin colour.

 

Prevention of age spots and freckles

 

Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day between 10am and 4pm in summer and between 10am and 2pm the rest of the year.

Apply sunscreen lotion with a high sun protection factor to your face and the back of your hands 30 minutes before leaving the house every day. If you are going to be outside for a long time, you need to reapply sunscreen every two hours. The most effective sun protection lotions contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

When out in the sun, always wear a sun hat with a 10cm brim to keep the sun off your face, neck and nape and prevent the development of pigmentation spots in this area. Straw hats do not offer sufficient protection from the sun.

After spending time in the sun, apply skin oil containing vitamin E. Vitamin E helps to prevent age spots and freckles by neutralising skin-damaging free radicals.