An insight on age spots on face, that are red, with bumps, that are light, white, brown, dark, raised as well as the removal methods and home remedies.
Age Spots on Face
Age spots on face— also known as liver spots or solar lentigines — are the flat tan, brown or black spots. They vary in size and normally appear on the face, hands, shoulders as well as the arms — areas most exposed to the sun.
Age spots on face are very common in adults older than age of 50. But, younger people can also get them too, especially if they spend more time in the sun.
Although age spots on face can appear like cancerous growths, true age spots are very harmless and don’t require any treatment. For cosmetic purposes, age spots can be lightened using skin-bleaching products or even removed. However, prevention of age spots — by avoiding of the sun and use of sunscreen — may be the best way to maintain the skin’s youthful appearance.
Age spots are flat, brown, or black spots on the skin. They normally happen on sun-exposed areas of the skin. Age spots are also known as the liver spots, solar lentigines, or sun spots.
Age spots on face are the result of an excess production of the melanin, or skin pigment. Doctors don’t always know why the age spots develop. Skin aging, sun exposure, or any other forms of ultraviolet light exposure, including tanning beds, are all possible causes. An individual is most likely to develop age spots on the areas of the skin that receive the most sun exposure, including:
- the face
- back of hands
- shoulders
- upper back
- forearms
When the skin is exposed to the sun, it leads to an increase in the production of cells called melanocytes that will increase melanin in the skin, therefore turning the skin darker. These dark skin patches are called brown spots, age spots, sun spots and liver spots.
Age spots usually appear on the exposed skin areas like the face, back, chest and hands. Some of the main causes of the brown spots are the sun exposure and genetics. Factors like stress, pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, or even a weak liver functioning can also contribute to this problem.
The age spots on face are normally harmless, but most of the people consider them very unattractive. To lighten brown spots, you may try a few easy and very natural home treatments.
Red Spots on Face
Red spots on the skin are a very common medical complaint. When the spots happens in outbreaks, they are sometimes known as rashes. Rashes can happen due to infections of the skin, disseminated infections, allergic reactions, or even irritations of the skin. When a red bump or a rash is flat, it is medically called a macule. When the red spot is raised, it is called a papule. Erythema is the medical term used for redness of the skin.
Light Spots on Face
A person who have perfectly healthy facial skin can suddenly notice that there are very light spots that are appearing on their face. While normally harmless, white spots on the skin can happen because of a number of reasons.
The condition might be mild or even severe, and normally covers the majority of the skin on a particular area of the body. They can as well cause irritation or itching. The occurrence of whites on the face may be distressing.
White age spots on face on the face happen for several reasons. Understanding some of them may be important in treating the condition. Also, understanding the cause may also assist the affected people to avoid certain circumstances that increase the risk.
- Tinea Versicolor
This is a chronic fungal infection of the skin. Also called pityriasisversicolor, this fungus leads to discolored patches on the skin as it tries to interfere with the normal pigmentation. The color of the patches can be darker or even lighter than the surrounding parts of the skin and most often, affects the back and trunk of the adolescent males. Exposure to sunlight, humid weather, oily skin as well as an excessive sweating can aggravate the condition.
- Vitiligo
This is a skin condition that leads to the loss of melanocyte pigmentation of the skin. This causes white patches that feel as if it is part of the skin. The cause of vitiligo is not known although it is said to be an autoimmune disease. But, mild trauma to any area of the skin including the face can also lead to the development of age spots on face. Vitiligo may affect the face and feet, elbows and also the genital area.
- Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis
White spots on the face can also be because of the Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis, a skin condition that results in 2 to 5 mm flat, white spots that is commonly found on the shins and forearms. This skin condition mostly affects the fair skinned people, although it can also occur in dark skinned individuals too. The white spots occur commonly in people over the age of 35.
- Pityriasis Alba
This skin condition is very common in children who are aged 6 to 12. It is a rash that is seen on the face, neck as well as the arms, and is not easily differentiated from the normal skin. The rash can be covered with skin flakes that resembles light dust. The cause of it is not established and is often considered as a form of eczema. This condition is normally mistaken with vitiligo. But, while vitiligo has a very distinct border, Alba does not.
Brown Spots on Face
Freckles are the small flat brown marks that arises on the face and other sun exposed areas. They are most often observed in fair skinned people, more especially those that have red hair, but they are an inherited characteristic that at times affects darker skin types as well.
Liver Spots on Face
Liver spots could be a good excuse to get full-body exam started. Even if the dermatologist finds no sign of skin cancer, he can let you know whether you have skin issues that needs you to watch out for. This doesn’t just apply to the fair-skinned people either: Dark-skinned individuals may also get skin cancer – and sometimes it’s very hard to see the early indications of it without any professional help.
If you have a liver spot which are also age spots on face, it will probably fall into one of these three categories:
- Cherry hemangiomas. Small red dots that are smaller than a pencil eraser, these are brought about by an overgrowth of the blood vessels in the skin. They are very common and can also appear anywhere, but they are not related to skin cancer.
- Lentigines. These are the flat, tan-to-dark spots that appears similar to freckles. They normally range from the size of a dime, but they might be bigger or smaller. These are what many people typically think of as age spots or the liver spots. They are normally located on the sun-exposed areas of the skin.
- Seborrheic keratosis. These can be the flat or raised and range from a pale to dark brown or even black. They are normally scaly or wart-like, although they are not warts as such. They can be due to sunlight, age, or even genetic. People with many of these skin changes have seen them before on a first-degree relative. They are also linked to the skin tags, another kind of benign skin growth.
Melanoma in its early stages can look like the lentigines or seborrheic keratosis. If a melanoma arises in a pre-existing mole, then it is raised and smooth. If it arises on normal skin, it starts as a flat brown to black growth, then grows out or down.
If a bump grows on a mole or even in a previously flat, discolored spot, see the dermatologist straight away to get checked for any possible skin cancer.
One reason to call the dermatologist urgently is that if age spots on face is diagnosed early, it can be cured using surgery. But once it starts to deepen or even spread to other parts of the body, melanoma can be very difficult to treat.
If you see a suspicious spot on the skin, run through the guidelines of melanoma. They are:
- Asymmetry implies that the growth is too different on one side than on the other. One side is normally bigger.
- Look at the border. If it is irregular, that’s a suspicious indication.
- The color of the lesion is also telling. Lesions with more than one color are much suspicious. The darker the lesion, the greater the concern should be.
- Melanomas tend to be larger in diameter than a pencil eraser. Doctors warn that this guideline isn’t completely reliable, but – melanomas might be very small and still be much problematic.
- Consider the evolution (or change) of the skin spot. Rapid changes, bleeding and pain all need a doctor’s appointment for further diagnosis.
When a doctor is concerned about any particular spot, he might remove part or all of it and send it off for a biopsy.
If you simply have the age spots on face, as is the case most often, you have many options if they bother you for cosmetic reasons. A dermatologist may get rid or lighten the spots. Your doctor might recommend freezing the spot with a chemical peel, or even trying a laser treatment. You can also assist to prevent new ones by use of the sunscreen regularly.
Age Spots on Face Removal or Get Rid
Age spots, also called liver spots, occur most frequently on the hands, arms and other areas of your body most exposed to sunlight. According to the studies, age spots appear in adults over the age of 35 most commonly, though they can also affect anyone.
Age spots on face caused by over-exposure to the sun and other sources of the ultraviolet light, age spots are normally difficult to get rid of. Several home remedies are available that can gently lighten and get rid of age spots without leading to more unnecessary damage to the skin.
After bleaching the age spots, limit any exposure to the sun or alternatively wear sunscreen when it can’t be avoided. You can ruin weeks of work after a day spent in the sunlight. For the better results, avoid the old habits that made you to develop age spots in the first place.
Removing age spots on face using home remedies takes time and also patience. These substances usually work very gently and you may not notice the results for several weeks. Stick with it and the age spots will become lighter, and can even disappear or even become too light to notice after a few months.
Step 1
Use fresh aloe vera gel to the age spots once or twice a day. Aloe gel have chemicals said to remove dead skin cells and also promote the growth of the new healthy cells. With the regular use, aloe gel can lighten and possible get rid of the age spots on face. If you don’t have an access to fresh aloe gel from a living plant, then apply the organic store-bought variety with minimal additives.
Step 2
Bleach away small age spots with 5 percent hydrogen peroxide. Use the liquid directly to the age spots using a cotton swab once a day for many weeks, or until you notice any results. Peroxide is drying, so follow the treatment using a moisturizing lotion, more especially if you already have dry skin.
Age Spots on Face Home Remedies
Here are natural ingredients for the removal of age and liver spots on face:
- Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains bleaching properties that can assist to get rid of age spots on face. Also, it assists to maintain soft, clear and very beautiful skin.
- Simply use fresh lemon juice directly on the affected skin area. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off using cold water. Repeat the remedy twice daily for about three months to notice positive results. If you have a sensitive skin, then dilute the lemon juice using water, rose water or even honey.
- Another option is to mix enough sugar in the lemon juice to make a paste and then use it as a scrub on the face, especially on the brown spots. Finally, rinse it off after about10 minutes. Do this a few times a week. You can also add some olive oil in the recipe.
- Buttermilk
Buttermilk have lactic acid that helps exfoliate the skin to get rid of the blemishes and age spots on face without drying out the skin.
- Use buttermilk on the brown spots with a cotton ball. Leave it on for a few minutes before washing the area using cold water. If you have oily skin or acne, you can also add lemon juice to the buttermilk.
- Another option is to mix about 4 teaspoons of buttermilk and 2 teaspoons of tomato juice together and then use the mixture on the affected skin.
Repeat either of these procedure once or twice daily until you are very satisfied with the results.
- Castor Oil
Castor oil contains strong healing properties and may be used effectively to remove age spots on face. Along with the castor oil, you can also apply vitamin E oil, coconut oil or almond oil to get rid of the brown spots.
- Use a cotton ball to apply castor oil on the affected skin area.
- Gently massage the skin for a few minutes.
- Leave it on for about 3 hours and then wash it off.
- Repeat this once in the morning and once at night to assist the brown spots fade and make the skin tone even.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective remedy for several skin problems including the brown spots. It will assist to dry out and fade the spots faster.
- Dilute apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water. You may also add some honey. Use the solution on brown spots and wash it off after a few minutes. Repeat this once more daily for a few days or until you obtain positive results. You can also use straight apple cider vinegar too, but it can sting.
- Alternatively, mix one-half teaspoon of the apple cider vinegar in a few tablespoons of the orange juice. Use it on the affected area and then leave it on until it dries much completely before washing it off. Repeat the process once or twice daily for four to five weeks.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has healing properties and assists skin regeneration. So, it is perfect for removing brown spots, more especially when brought about by sun exposure.
- Gently rub the fresh aloe vera gel on the spots. Leave it on for about 45 minutes before washing the area using cold water. Repeat the process twice daily and within a month you should notice an improvement.
- If fresh aloe vera gel is not found, you can opt for an aloe vera juice that you can readily buy from the market.
- Sandalwood
Sandalwood is an anti-aging agent and an antiseptic that can assist to reduce hyperpigmentation and get rid of the brown age spots on face.
- You can try to make a homemade pack using two tablespoons of the sandalwood powder, two teaspoons of the rose water, and one teaspoon each of the glycerin and lemon juice. Use this pack on the spots and then allow it to dry out naturally. Apply cold water to wash it off. Repeat a few times a week until the brown spots are cleared.
- Another option is to add one tablespoon of the orange juice, one teaspoon of lemon juice and the contents of the two vitamin E capsules in two tablespoons of the sandalwood powder. Mix it properly and then use it on the face. Leave it on for about half an hour before washing i. Do this a few times a week until you see best results.
- Also, massage the affected skin area using a few drops of the sandalwood oil that is mixed in one tablespoon of olive oil, daily before going to bed and then leave it on overnight.
Further references;
- Red Spots on the Skin: http://www.medicinenet.com/red_spots_on_the_skin/symptoms.htm
- White Spots on Face: http://www.md-health.com/White-Spots-On-Face.html
- What’s Wrong With My Skin? 38 Causes of Discolored Skin Patches: http://www.healthline.com/health/discolored-skin-patches