Do you have dark or brown age spots on your hands and feel they are giving away your youth? In this article, we shall highlight causes and how to fade, treat, or remove them from hand skin.
How do they look like – Pictures
Table of content
Age spots may appear as flat, flat oval-shaped spots either in isolation or may are grouped. The appearance of arms and hand skin will depend on one’s complexion. The blemishes may appear as brown or tan in people with a lighter natural skin. They could also be dark black especially on the black skin or black people who have a dark natural skin tone.
As revealed by these pictures and images (back of palms), this skin problem may be caused by a good number of reasons.
Causes age spots
The causes include the following factors. We shall cover other areas of the face, neck, shoulders, and chest in detail.
1. Long-term UVR radiations exposure
The most common cause of back of hands and arms is attributed to the harmful influence of ultraviolet radiations. After years of unprotected exposure to sun rays, the skin melanocyte cells are triggered to produce more melanin. Eventually, these sunspots will appear when “melanin becomes “clumped” or is produced in particularly high concentrations.” [mayoclinic.org] with time resulting in hyperpigmentation in the skin.
Commonly referred to as sun spots, these freckles from sunlight exposure are seen more in young adults and people in below 30 years.
2. Ageing
How does aging or old age lead to their formation on hands? Some changes in skin are very likely to occur with age. These include low metabolism, the formation of wrinkles, loss of more collagen, etc.
Now, decreased body cell activity (metabolism) consequently means that major body organs such as the skin and liver functioning affected. According to Homeremediesweb, if the liver fails to rid of the body toxins then age spots can easily begin to develop.
3. Other causes
According to thoughts of natural school of health, other reasons may include:
- Poor liver function,
- Ingestion of rancid oils,
- Poor diet and nutritional disorders,
- Lack of exercises.
Can they be raised?
Typical they are usually flat blotches as we mentioned earlier. If you have they are raised on hands or other parts of skin see your dermatologist urgently. What could these raised spots on hands be?
Melanoma is one of the deadly forms of skin cancer which develops as raised growths when unrepaired DNA cause damage to the skin. Melanoma hands are contributed by oxidation as a human body process. Oxidation causes damage to cell membranes, lipids, and DNA. “When oxygen is metabolized, it creates ‘free radicals’ which steal electrons from other molecules, causing damage.” [amherst.edu].
They are usually black or brown but Skin Cancer Foundation, they are at times skin-colored, pink, red, blue or white. These growths are confused with moles although they are not moles.
Apart from oxidation, Ultra-violet radiations would also factor in and cause melanoma.
Other than melanoma, seborrheic keratosis is another condition characterized by either flat or raised growth identified with dark brown or black color.
Removal and treatment methods
What do you do to get rid of age spots on hands, forearms or face? Dermatologist and experts who treat skin conditions and problems advise diagnosing the freckles before rushing for treatment. Furthermore, getting rid of liver spots is for cosmetic reasons rather than medical because they are not as dangerous as melanomas.
This section will cover various methods of fading, removing or clearing the spots using treatment procedures, solutions, and creams among other products.
Topical products
Some of the best removal topical creams include those with active ingredients such as exfoliating lotions, serums, and solutions. There are two categories of topical treatments namely prescription and non-prescription (Over-the-counter) topical products.
Removal creams
Most of the non-prescription creams, gels and lotions are quite effective in fading sun or liver spots. They are safe since a majority come with natural extracts and have the ability to lighten the visible spots on hands and arms. However, some products available over the counter have encountered market and consumer controversies after applying.
It is therefore crucial for consumers to gather more accurate information and dermatological advice for selecting and how to use them optimally.
A wide range of best exfoliating products like creams contains Retin-A, glycolic acid, arbutin or alpha-arbutin, AHAs, kojic acid, niacinamide, phloretin, licorice etc.
- Garnier Skin Renew
- Clinique Even Better Corrector
- Proactiv Dark Corrector,
- L’Oreal Paris Youth Code DarkSerum,
- Olay Professional Pro-X Even Skin Tone Spot Fading Treatment,
- Physicians Formula Corrector,
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Eventone Corrector, etc.
NOTE: (This is a product rating courtesy of customer satisfaction and reviews.)
Keep in mind that using certain lotions and creams whose concentration is high may have long-lasting side effects. An example is bleaching creams with more than 3% active hydroquinone concentration. Above all avoid self-treatment and administering by yourself unless a dermatologist has shown a green light.
Proper usage of these products will brighten skin and help reduce freckles such as brown spots, aging signs and localized dark skin problems. Examples of brand names are
Clinical based treatments
Are those freckles on your hands a frustration? Darkened spots on your hands and arms can make you look older even when you are only at 30. If you feel you had enough tussle and struggle with creams and serums, it is high time to try medical treatment procedures.
Laser treatment
A laser is a costly but very effective method to rid skin blemishes like dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration of the skin. Definitely, for brown age spots an appropriate laser technique has to be determined after a consultation with a doctor.
How does laser remove them? The powerful laser beams are directed onto the surface where the melanin “brown pigment absorbs the light energy and for a fraction of a second. This is enough to break up the pigment.” [skinlaserclinic.co.uk].
Common skin spots problems addressed include solar lentigo, hyperpigmented uneven skin tone among others.
NOTE: This procedure should be carried out by a clinic doctor with certified qualification and experience.
Is cryotherapy effective
This is another optional mechanical removal. In cryotherapy, a technique referred to as liquid nitrogen freezing is usually carried out. Depending on your general complexion and sensitivity of skin cryotherapy may be employed after doing a dermatological evaluation and analysis.
For fast or quick results
How can I remove age spots quickly? Getting rid of old aging spots quickly is quite hard unless you go for treatments such as laser removal, mechanical dermabrasion or cryotherapy. You will also eliminate wrinkles and other skin imperfections – in addition to getting results in a matter of weeks.
Remember that you can apply some prescription creams, serums, and bleaching solutions but must use them under proper guidance from your doctor. If you want longer-lasting effect after sufficiently fading them from hands, always incorporate a layer of sun-blocking or absorbing SPF screen. You can ask your doctor for SPF sunscreen which works best in regard to your skin type and complexion.
If you opt for chemical peels – What you should consider most is ensuring that clinical services are certified to prevent complications after receiving treatment and recovery. Lastly, avoid sunbathing.
Genuinely speaking since the formation of liver spots on your hands may have taken quite some time you should be a little patient.
Natural methods
Do you want to deal with premature skin aging the simple natural way? These remedies are part of Dr. Oz teachings and approaches to the problem being one of the victims of age spots. The following are procedures helpful to make age spots fade or disappear naturally.
1. Lemon juice scrub
Like the creams, lemon juice has a bleaching property to deal with sunspots. For this trick to work you should be vigilant and be able to notice changes in your skin in terms of pigmentation. This follows that lemon must be applied timely or as soon as skin begins to make an impression of age spots on the arms.
- Rubbing fresh lemon juice on your hands is the easiest way to do it.
- After applying leave it for 30 minutes and then wash off with cold water.
- Alternatively, mix 1/2 glass-full olive oil and lemon juice with some sugar cubes.
- Mix to form a paste and apply to affected areas around your arm skin while scrubbing back and forth for approx. 10 minutes.
- Rinse afterward.
- Repeat the procedure 3 -5 times for a day or accordingly (in a few weeks until they fade away).
2. Sandalwood + glycerin and lemon
This powder is quite effective in fading away age spots on your hands and face. You may also need some rose water, vitamin E oil, olive oil or almond. Before you prepare your scrub, ensure that you have little or no skin reaction to lemon.
Procedure
- Scoop one table-spoonful glycerin and mix with 2 tablespoons of sandalwood.
- Add rose water to make a thick paste and mix well.
- Wash your hands, as well as the sun spot-affected areas, leave them to dry.
- Apply gently rubbing with circular movements until you feel some friction.
- Leave it to dry for 30 minutes.
- Remove the residuals by washing with cold water.
Optionally;
Mix 1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and sandalwood. Use the same procedure to apply on both arms and face. Alternatively, if you have to use olive oil or almond oil and sandalwood, then do it before going to bed but use the same procedure but do not use too much oil. Apply a massage and leave it on face overnight.
Repeat the procedure for 3 weeks and if you have been using tanning beds it is time to put them aside.
3. Apple cider vinegar + onion juice/honey
For brown spots, a mixture of apple cider vinegar and onion juice can diminish the tan.
4. Castor oil
This natural oil is a great remedy for its healing magic power. Apply after you have undergone a procedure such as dermabrasion.
5. Gram flour scrub pack
Things you need: chickpea flour, lemon juice, some milk, turmeric powder, castor or almond oil and rose water.
Preparation and procedure for applying
- Mix handful of gram flour and tables-spoonful of turmeric.
- Add few drops of lemon juice and then rose water until it makes a paste mixture.
- Stir vigorously to a uniform.
- Clean the back of your hands or arms or legs and pat dry.
- Apply all over the spotted area and let it dry.
- Next then, using a few drops of almond oil scrub gently using bare hands or hand gloves.
- Once the paste gets detached from the skin, rinse with enough water.
- Repeat once or twice daily.
Be patient and do it consistently for 2 weeks and wait for the results in the 3rd and 4th weeks.
These are just a few of home remedies to fade freckles such as sunspots. Get more natural tips here.
How to prevent liver spots
Can you prevent liver spots? Preventive measures are quite reasonable but have limitations especially for the aging people. Besides staying away from the sun for longer hours, offering to protect your skin and those of little-loved ones would be of great help. Consider antioxidants and applying creams or gels or hand lotion with a broad spectrum (SPF) sunscreen regularly.
Reference and sources
- http://www.disabled-world.com/health/dermatology/skin/age-spots.php
- http://www.top10homeremedies.com/how-to/how-to-get-rid-of-brown-spots-on-skin.html
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/age-spots/basics/symptoms/con-20030473
- http://www.prevention.com/beauty/3-ways-treat-age-spots-your-hands
- http://www.homeremediesweb.com/age_spots_home_remedy.php
- http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/melanoma-or-age-spots-how-to-tell-the-difference.aspx