Age Spots on legs

Age spots or dark spots are a problem for many women, when it comes to showing of their legs. Let’s say you have lovely legs with nice calf muscles. Now as you enter your forties you start to see dark spots on your legs. All your life you have shown off your legs and now you will have to hide them.

Hyperpigmentation of legs is mostly unsightly but can impact your self-esteem and quality of life. Fortunately there are treatments and home remedies available that can help you to get rid of age spots on legs and allow you to show your legs off. There are also ways by which you can prevent age spots altogether. If you have nice legs then you may start implementing our prevention techniques.

Reasons for age spots on legs

We have a pigment in our body called melanin. This is the pigment that gives us our dark color. The more melanin you have the darker your skin and hair. At times due to hyperpigmentation there is excessive production of melanin on certain parts of the body. It results in flat patches of light brown or black skin of different sizes and shapes. 

These spots occur mostly on parts of the body that is exposed to the sun. Which includes our legs. This happens as the suns UV rays increase the production of melanin.

There are genetic factors which are also responsible for age spots as is hair removal. Other risk factors are being above the age of 40 and having a fairer complexion.

How to prevent?

Since age spots are caused due to exposure to the suns UV rays you will need to start using sunscreen on your legs if you want to prevent them in the future. Apply sunscreen on your legs when you move out of your house especially you want to expose your legs. Re apply it after every two hours of staying out in the sun.

Don’t go out in the afternoon if possible as the UV rays are very intense at that time of the day. Even if you have to move out then wear pants or long skirts. Avoid the use of tanning beds as they also cause age spots on the legs. Click the link to know about age spots on hands.

Home remedies for age spots on the legs

We have two home remedies that you can use to lighten your age spots

Lemon juice

Lemon has whitening and exfoliating properties that will even out the skin. It has vitamin c which can promote the production of collagen. Cut a lemon in half and apply it on the affected areas. If your skin is sensitive then add a little water.

Leave this for half an hour. Then rinse with water. Repeat this treatment several times a week until the spots disappear. You will start to see that your dark spots are becoming lighter.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is known to soothe sunburn. It is also known for its cooling properties. You need to take an Aloe Vera leaf and extract its gel. Apply this gel on your legs where there are age spots and leave for half an hour. 

Repeat this home remedy as often as possible and you will see that your age spots will disappear. 

You can try either of the above remedies and see which one works for you. If you don’t find any difference then maybe you need to try some treatment options.

Removing age spots on legs

There are many treatment options available for removing age spots on legs. But before anything it is first advisable to use a topical cream and see if your see if your age spots disappear. There are many available over the counter. You can even ask a dermatologists for prescription. Applying prescription bleaching creams can also help to reduce age spots.

We have come up with three treatment options for removing age spots on legs.

Laser

This treatment can be used to remove age spots. The heat from the laser destroy melanin producing cells without damaging the skins surface. This treatment needs two to three sessions. The age spot will be temporarily darkened as a side effect.

Chemical peeling

This method uses chemical solution. This solution removes the top layer of the skin. This results in the growth of new skin. Common side effects include redness, scarring and mild swelling. You will need several sessions before you start to notice a change.

Freezing or cryotherapy

This procedure involves applying liquid nitrogen to the age spot on the leg. This is done with a cotton swab. The liquid nitrogen is applied for around five seconds. This destroys the extra pigment present. After the treatment the skin will appear lighter as the area begins to heal.

If there is small group of spots then spray freezing may be used.  There will be pain and swelling.

In conclusion

Age spots on legs are not a health hazard and can be prevented very easily. There are many homemade remedies that can help you to get rid of age spots on legs. There are OTC and prescription creams and many treatment options to deal with them.