Age Spots (Liver Spots)What They Are And How To Treat Them
What Causes Age Spots?As you get older you may begin to notice a few dark marks start to appear on your skin. They can be flat brown spots on skin, black or gray in color. Liver spots may be a dark brown or red color, kind of like red freckles - the same color as the liver.Most people don’t understand what causes them, and end up using a ton of harsh chemical treatments or skin whitening products to get rid of them. Don’t do it! It can be bad for your skin and your health to use these creams and serums. So, what causes them? When you are exposed to the sun, your body produces what is called melanin. Melanin is what creates the nice golden tan that so many people desire, but its main purpose is to protect the body from being baked by the UV rays. When you’re outside in the sun, melanin rushes to the skin. Sometimes though, in the deeper layers of the skin, the melanin creates clusters under the layers where our skin is exposed the most. Typically on the hands and face (though it is definitely not limited to just those places!) As we age, and as dead skin layers are sloughed off, brown spots begin to appear on our skin after many years of sun exposure. These are the melanin clusters from deep within our skin. While we don’t know how many or how long they have been there until they start to appear, it is possible to get rid of those unsightly spots. PreventionFirst things first – since age spots are created by overexposure to UV rays and the body’s defense mechanisms going up to create a barrier, the most important thing to remember is to wear an organic sunscreen.Protect your skin with a sunscreen that includes zinc oxide. The zinc oxide acts as tiny reflectors mirroring the sun and UV rays, instead of clogging your pores. It's a great eco friendly beauty solution! You can find an all natural sunscreen online here at Amazon or you can check your local drug store. Make sure that the product you buy does not use mineral oil .
One surprising place to find zinc oxide - which I was unaware of until a friend pointed it out - is diaper rash creams. Burt's Bees sells a diaper rash cream in which the main ingredient is Zinc Oxide, so if you're in a pinch and can't find an actual sunscreen, this diaper rash cream will do the trick! It just might take a little more effort to rub it in. Dead Sea Mud is a great thing to use for exfoliation, and it’s just a simple two step process. Exfoliating can leave your skin dry, so moisturizing is essential to keep everything hydrated, elastic and glowing. The best kind to use are whole product moisturizers like those with raw cocoa butter or raw shea butter as ingredients. These products help to smooth and even out skin tone as it rehydrates your skin. They also provide a protective layer against the harsh elements like radiation and UV rays. It’s important that you use raw ingredients for them to be the most beneficial to your skin. Be careful though, if you have never used it before and have an allergy to nuts, it is a good idea to just try a small portion to see how your skin reacts, as Shea is a nut. If you do have an allergy to nuts and cannot use Shea Butter, the next best thing is Raw Cocoa Butter mixed with Olive Oil. Once you have done those two basics for a few weeks you should start to notice a difference. If a product has been sitting around for 15-24 months, it’s active properties no longer exist and it only serves as a good moisturizer.
How To Remove Age SpotsWhat NOT To DoThere are a lot of treatments that you will be tempted to use, many of which are bleaching agents in hand creams or anti-aging creams. Many of these creams use chemical bleaching agents in order to whiten the skin. Do not use bleaching agents! Avoid ANY products with Hydroquinone. This ingredient has been banned in many countries including Japan and England. Dr. Jacobs from the F.D.A. has concluded - after various tests (that have gone on since the late 80’s) - that Hydroquinone is mutagenic, clastogenic and immunotoxic, it caused various forms of cancer in the rats they tested it on and has been deemed unsafe for the general public to use – however it is still in many bleaching products. ( to read the full report by the F.D.A. please visit http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/78n0065/78n-0065-mm00003-vol4.pdf Note: it is a PDF file) How To Fade Age Spots Safely And Lighten The Tone Of Your Skin These are all individual options, use just one or combine them to your liking. All Natural Remedies for Age Spots All you do is cut a lemon in half and rub on the areas that need lightening, twice a day for 8 weeks. I know 8 weeks seems like a long time, but in the long run it really isn’t! The whole milk (or buttermilk) is necessary for the fat content, it helps draw the gunk out of your skin and the lactic acid peels the dead skin away creating a nice smooth look. Just dip the cotton balls into the milk and dab on your age spots, wait 5-10 minutes then rinse off. This is a great age spots cure and can be used anywhere on your body. The best way to use this is to mix 1/8 teaspoon of Gotu-Kola and 1/8 teaspoon of ginseng in your favourite herbal tea, or warm water, and apply to your skin twice daily. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes then rinse off. Or you can drink the mixture (be careful if you’re prone to migraines, as ginseng is not your friend!), this will help clean your system of unwanted toxins. Creating youthful glowing skin within a few days. For a full list of the benefits of Gotu-Kola read more here.
DISCLAIMER: SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE As with any skin condition you should seek the council of your dermatologist to pinpoint the exact condition you may have. Some people believe they just have harmless age spots, when in reality it could be something much more serious. So before using any treatment make sure you talk to your doctor! *This website is meant for informational purposes only. Not meant to treat, cure or prevent any diseases, and while we do our best to have accurate information, things are constantly changing, so it is always best to talk to your dermatologist or practitioner before using any of the advice given. * Learn more about natural skin care at the PUREfect Your Skin Home Page |
