Brown spots on the skin go commonly by a few different names: liver spots, age spots, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. But no matter what you call them, they can be unsightly and cause you to feel insecure about the way you look. Liver spots appear on the skin when it produces too much melanin, and people of all skin types can get them. Although most of these spots are medically harmless, you don’t have to simply accept living with them.
Causes of Hyperpigmentation
The most prevalent cause of skin hyperpigmentation is over-exposure to the sun; however, there are other factors that put you more at risk of condition. You may be more likely to develop liver spots because of heredity, vitamin deficiencies, stress, your age, a liver condition, or even wearing clothing that are overly restrictive.
The spots often appear on the arms, face, and hands, but other people develop them on the shoulders, chest, and back too. Their color is typically brown or red, and they can look like freckles, small dots, blobs, or warts. However, these spots should not be painful, and if they feel irritated in any way, you should seek a medical opinion immediately.
Natural Dark Spot Remedies
Some people turn to chemically produced fade creams and invasive medical treatment to treat dark spots, including intense pulsed light sessions, microderm abrasion, and chemical peels. Fade creams often contain hydroquinone, which has proven to be effective in lightening skin but is questionable at best in terms of safety, especially with long-term use.
However, some natural remedies have proven very effective as well. These are some natural remedies to discuss with your doctor before doing anything drastic to lighten the appearance of your skin.
- Lemon juice – apply directly to spots with a cotton ball and wash off
- Honey – Create a face mask with honey and lemon and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing off
- Aloe vera – massage into spots and allow to set for about 30 minutes before rinsing off
- Apple cider vinegar – dilute with an equal amount of water and apply directly onto spots
- Sandalwood – mix sandalwood oil with olive oil and massage into spots before bed
Preventative Skincare
The best way to prevent liver spots from forming on your skin is to wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF or higher every time you go outdoors to protect your skin against UVA and UVB rays. It’s a good idea to cover up your skin with protective clothing during the day as well, especially between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm.
Here are some other skincare tips to promote healthy skin and put your best face forward every day.
- Clean your skin every day with natural ingredients
- Try using a pre-cleanser with marula and baobab oils before using your normal foam or crème-based cleanser
- Use a toner and moisturizer after washing
- Choose our Smooth Skin therapeutic ointment to nourish and hydrate skin daily
- Eat a well-balanced diet with foods rich in antioxidants, selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin D, such as these:
- Kidney Beans
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Apples
- Artichokes
- Walnuts
- Carrots
- Fish
- Drink six to eight glasses of water every day to stay hydrated
- Get at seven to eight hours of sleep each night to help your skin recover from the day
