Brown spots, often known as age or liver spots, are actually what are also called "solar freckles". These are harmless spots that form more frequently on the skin of people over the age of 50, who have fair skin or who are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds for a long time. These spots are brown because they contain melanin, a pigment found in the upper layers of the skin, which "builds up" and forms darker colored spots. Fortunately, there are some home remedies that can help reduce the appearance of these unsightly blemishes.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Lemon Juice
Step 1. Apply lemon juice directly to the stains
Lemon juice contains an acid that can help break down melanin and reduce the appearance of blemishes within a month or two. In addition, the vitamin C present in it can directly discolour the skin. Cut a lemon into slices and place them directly on the spots. Let the juice sit for about 30 minutes and then rinse your skin with running water.
Be careful not to combine the application of lemon juice and direct sun exposure; Studies have found that applying this juice to the skin can cause significant sunburn if you expose yourself to direct sun. Other research has shown that whitening dark spots is more effective in direct sunlight. It would be better to limit sun exposure with lemon juice treatment to no more than 10 minutes at a time
Step 2. Apply lemon juice with sugar
Squeeze the juice from this citrus fruit into a bowl and slowly and gradually add 2-4 tablespoons of sugar, until it blends into a cream.
- Apply the mixture to each stain with a brush or cotton swab.
- Leave the cream on for about half an hour and then rinse with cold water.
- Keep in mind that this paste can dry out the skin, so apply a moisturizer after each treatment.
Step 3. Make a paste with honey, sugar and lemon juice
Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl and add up to 2 tablespoons of sugar (depending on how much juice you got) and two tablespoons of honey to make a fairly thick mixture.
- Apply the mixture to each stain with a brush or cotton swab.
- Let it sit for half an hour and then rinse with cold water.
- Honey helps keep the skin moist to protect it from excessive dehydration.
Method 2 of 4: Using Plant Enzymes
Step 1. Know the effectiveness of enzymes
Enzymes are the "workforce" in the world of biochemistry. They are able to modify various substances without consuming themselves and act as catalysts of nature. Enzymes can help break down melanin into smaller colorless portions.
- The different foods described in this section contain different enzymes, but all are classified as enzymes capable of breaking down proteins - proteases or proteolytic enzymes.
- The proteases include papain (in papaya), aspartic proteases in potatoes and bromelain (in pineapple).
Step 2. Grate a potato and mix it with honey
Take a medium-sized potato (any type of white potato is fine) and chop it into a bowl. Add enough honey to make a paste.
- Apply the mixture to the dark spots.
- Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
Step 3. Make a papaya mask
Remove all the pulp of a papaya and mash it in a bowl until you get a uniform consistency. You should use a whisk to mash the fruit thoroughly.
- Use a cotton ball or make-up brush to apply the mask to your face and any other areas that have brown spots.
- Leave it on until it dries and then rinse it off with cold water.
Step 4. Use pineapple juice or make a mask of this fruit
Pour some of this juice into a bowl (make sure it's 100% pure with no added sugar or make it yourself with a pineapple). With a cotton ball, apply it to each brown spot and let it sit until it dries. At the end, rinse with fresh water.
Alternatively, crush a few slices of pineapple and apply them, as if they were a mask, on your face and any other area that has spots. Leave the mask in place until it dries and then rinse with cold water
Step 5. Try the chickpeas
Make a 100g chickpea paste. Boil 50 g of these legumes with 120 ml of water. Cook them until soft (it will take 15 minutes if the chickpeas are canned, one hour if they are dry). Finally remove the mixture from the heat and wait for it to cool.
- Once the mixture has cooled, mash the cooked chickpeas to make a paste.
- Rub the solution on the affected areas and let it dry; finally, rinse with cold water.
Method 3 of 4: Try Other Remedies
Step 1. Apply yogurt directly to your face
Like all dairy products, yogurt also contains acidic substances that can help lighten dark spots. The "good" bacteria present in this food are also useful for this purpose, given that yogurt is known not only for all the other beneficial qualities, but also for containing enzymes that can break down proteins such as melanin.
- Rub natural yogurt on dark spots that need to be "faded".
- Leave it on until it dries, and then rinse with cold water.
Step 2. Mix the yogurt with herbs
Some herbs can strengthen the effectiveness of yogurt. Apply the yogurt and herbal blend directly to your face and any other area where you have sun freckles. Leave it in place until it dries and then rinse with cold water. The following herbs contain antioxidants and bioflavonoids that can help you solve this annoying blemish when combined with yogurt:
- 1 tablespoon of mustard powder.
- 1 tablespoon of turmeric / curcumin powder.
- 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
Step 3. Try castor oil
Contains antioxidants that can protect and lighten the skin. Wet a cotton ball with a few drops of castor oil and dab it on your skin wherever you want to lighten the spots. Wait for the skin to absorb it. There is no need to rinse.
Step 4. Use Vitamin E
It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that reduce dark spots on the skin. Open or puncture a liquid vitamin E capsule and apply it directly to the affected areas. Leave to act and do not rinse!
Method 4 of 4: Check for the Signs of a Cancer
Step 1. Get examined by a dermatologist
Solar freckles are harmless, but they can be confused with skin cancer. It is always a good idea to have them checked by a qualified professional. Once the dermatologist has verified that the spots have only purely aesthetic characteristics, you can take steps to reduce their appearance.
Step 2. Learn the ABCDE of skin cancers
Dermatologists often speak of the "ABCDE" of skin cancers, that is, ways to distinguish whether it is skin cancer or a benign (non-cancerous) growth. Skin cancer tends to be:
- TOsymmetrical.
- With B.irregular orders.
- With C.different colors (different shades of brown, black and amber).
- From D.diameter greater than 6 mm.
- In ANDvolution (changes) in size, shape, color, or becomes detected.
Step 3. Check your skin regularly
Most skin cancers are characterized by changes, so keep your spots and the appearance of your skin constantly monitored in order to facilitate early diagnosis. Based on various factors, such as the time of exposure to UV rays and family history, it may be necessary to have the epidermis checked periodically by a professional dermatologist.
Advice
- One of the best treatments is prevention! Brown spots are a classic example of the type of damage caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunbeds and / or tanning lamps, so by avoiding excessive exposure to these rays, you can limit the number of spots that form in following.
- Castor oil can cause stains on clothes that are difficult to remove.
- Remove any makeup before trying any of these remedies. Clean the skin well to eliminate the oils and substances contained in the make-up products that can interfere with the treatments.
- Protect yourself from excessive sun exposure to avoid further sun freckles.
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If these remedies don't work after 2 months, see a dermatologist for other possible treatments, including:
- Medicines.
- Laser therapy.
- Cryotherapy (freezing).
- Dermabrasion.
- Chemical peels.
Warnings
- Make sure you keep track of any unusual changes on your skin. Ask your partner or friend to check areas of the body that you can't see well (such as the back).
- Take into consideration the ABCDE of skin cancer described above and go to a dermatologist if you have any doubts about some spots on your skin.
