Age Spots

As you age you will start to see a lot of changes in your skin. Wrinkles will start to appear on your skin and it will also become saggy. Along with this you will get age spots on the part of your skin which is frequently exposed to the sun.

Your hands, face and other areas will get age spots. These are small areas of darkened skin and are common in people above the age of 40. You can also get age spots on your legs.

Why do we get age spots?

We get age spots due to the condition called hyperpigmentation. In this condition melanin which is the skins natural pigment is produced in excess. This causes darkening and uneven patches on the skin. 

There are many reasons for the occurrence of age spots. This includes exposure to the suns UV rays, genetics, age, hormonal influences, and inflammation or skin damage.

Who can get age spots?

Anyone above the age of 40 can get age spots. Though in some cases they may appear earlier. Hyperpigmentation can affect the skin of any skin type. It affects the darker skin tone more. It can occur in males and female.

So literally anyone above the age of 40 can get age spots.

How does age spots affect us?

Age spots are mostly harmless. But they can be a health risk like melanoma. If a skin spot changes size, shape, color, itches or bleeds, see a dermatologist for a more detailed examination.

Age spots are related to aging. So a person will feel self-conscious once he or she starts to see them on their skin.

How to prevent age spots?

Since one of the reasons for age spots is the suns UV rays, you will need to protect yourself from them. The best way to do so is to use a sunscreen when you move out of your house. Use it on your hands, face and neck.

Reapply sunscreen after every two hours of staying out in the sun. Also avoid going out in the sun during afternoons as the suns UV rays are most intense at that time of the day.

To prevent age spots you will need to eat foods rich in anti-oxidants. These anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals that are formed due to exposure to suns UV rays.

Eat berries like strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Lemon juice is another food item that you must include in your diet if you want to get rid of age spots. Papaya, tomatoes and fish like salmon can also help you to get rid of age spots.

How to lighten age spots?

There are several treatment options available to lighten age spots. If you want to treat your age spots at home then you can apply whitening creams based on retinoic or glycolic acid.

There are several treatment options that are available which include whitening peels, micro needling, and different types of lasers.

To decide which treatment is best for you will have to consult your dermatologist. You can ask a dermatologist to even suggest creams to use at home.

You can also remove age spots naturally with lemon juice. Age spots can also be removed with hydrogen peroxide.

In conclusion

Age spots are a sign of aging for which there are many treatment options present. Getting rid of them will make you look younger.