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Age Spots, or Liver
spots, are gray, brown or black spots on
the skin that are caused by exposure to the sun. These flat spots,
which are
also called solar lentigo, occur on portions on the skin that see
constant sun
exposure such as the back of the hands or the forehead although they
may be
found in other less exposed areas also. Extremely common occurrences
after the
age of 55, these spots are considered harmless in spite of their
somewhat
cancerous appearance.
Age spots happen because
of the skin pigment melanin.
Melanin is the pigment that is responsible for protecting your under
layers of
skin from the suns harmful UV rays and is the stuff which makes people
tan.
These spots develop when extra melanin is produced in higher
concentrations
than normal, or when it becomes clumped together in certain sun exposed
areas
of the skin. Age spots can range from freckle size to more than a
centimeter in
length. They can also group together, thus becoming more prominent. Age
spots
are oftentimes accompanied by other symptoms of skin damage such as
painless
skin lesions and macules ( flat patchy areas of discolored skin).
Avoiding the
sun, or using really good sun screen while in the sun is the surest way
to
prevent these unsightly spots from happening.
Liver spots happed
because of the build up of ceriod
pigments in older people. Liver spots are outward signs of free radical
damage
within as fats are pre-oxidized in the cells instead of the liver.
Liver spots
are generally not cancerous but medical advice should be sought if they
began
to change color, shape or size..
These unsightly age spots
can be treated through several
different methods which involve superficial destruction of the skin.
Options
include freezing, using acid, skin sanding, electric needle and laser
therapy.
Lasers are the preferred method because they are much less damaging to
the skin
due to their selective precision. Laser therapy also involves less pain
and a
quicker healing time than the other methods.
Liver spots can also be bleached into
obscurity or may be frozen away
with liquid nitrogen in a procedure known as cryotherapy.
All of these procedures
are a bit costly and only
superficial in their results. Home remedies do exist that can be just
as
effective in removing these spots while at the same time being easier
on your
pocket book and better for your skin.
Here are some home remedy
tips for age spots…
Aloe:
The gel of the Aloe Vera plant has many skin
healing properties and will help fade the spots effectively. Apply Aloe
juice
or gel twice a day for two months and be
astounded by the results.
Apple Cider
Vinegar: Take
two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and
one teaspoon of orange juice. Soak a cloth or a cotton pad with the
mixture and
secure to the area you want to treat.
Bilberry herb: This plant is known to slow the aging
process and is a
powerful antioxident that will
stop free radicals in thiere tracks. 4 to 8 ounces of fresh berries or
80 to
160 mg of bilberry extract daily should keep the spots at bay.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk not only makes
good pancakes, it
has also been used as a skin and beauty aid for years. A dab of
buttermilk on
the spots will help the skin heal beacuase of the lactic acid within
the milk.
Castor Oil: Apply this vitamin rich oil
on the spots each
morning and evening and rub in vigorously. The spots will be gone
within a few
months.
Chick Peas: Mash one third cup of
garbanzo beans together
with a dribble of water and smear the resulting paste on the spots.
Leave until
dry.
Dandelion Milk: Apply to spots 2 to 3 times
per day. Great
cure for warts too.
Gotu Kola: mix
1/8 teaspoon of this Chinese herb into a cup of herbal tea. Or, mix it
with
plain hot water along with 1/8 teaspoon of ginseng and a pinch of
cayenne pepper.
This should clear the spots within a few days.
Horseradish
root: Mix
1 teaspoon of horseradish root with ½
teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of vinegar and 3
drops of rosemary
essential oil. Dab
your spots once or
twice a day to exfoliate the top layer of your skin and lighten the
spots.
Lemon
Juice: Apply
fresh lemon juice on your spots twice a
day to help erase them in a few months. Just before to let the juice
dry before
going outdoors ( lemon juice will increase your skins sensitivity to
skin).
Very effective home remedy for age spots:
Take 1 part St John's wort flowers and 1 part St John's wort leaves
(grind the flowers and the leaves), add 3 parts olive oil, 1 part
sunflower oil and 1 part corn oil and stir everything well. Pour the
mix in a glass bottle and keep it in a cool dark place for 1
month, then filter it and rub it in the spots until they are lightened.
Lightening rejuvenating mask for dry wrinkled skin:
mix 1.5 tea spoon of fresh lemon juice with 1.5 tea spoon of cream and
add 5 drops of hydrogen peroxide. Apply the mask on your face using a
brush or a q-tip. Leave it for 15-20 minutes, then wash it off using
warm water and follow with your moisturizer. To enhance the
effect have a steam bath for your face before applying the mask. A steam bath opens pores, soothes sore muscles, increases blood circulation and provides relaxing experience.
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