Natural Remedies Can Reduce Age Spots

They should have been called sun spots, but the name was already taken. "Age spots" had to do.
These brown spots that typically start to pepper the backs of your hands in your forties or fifties are caused by years of direct exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation, which damages the color-producing cells of the skin. Those cells, called melanocytes, then go into overdrive, producing too much color.

No matter what you do to lighten them, the spots will come right back if you re-expose .the area to sun, says Joni Loughran, an esthetician, cosmetologist, and aromatherapist in Petaluma, California. If you're trying to fade age spots, wear a sunblock with an SPF of 15 on your hands or other exposed, spotted areas whenever you go outdoors. Then try the following alternative remedies to reduce or eliminate the spots.

AROMA THERAPY: Help the Spots Fade
The essential oils of lemon and benzoin have bleaching properties that can help age spots fade, says Barbara Close, an herbalist and aromatherapist in East Hampton, New York. Combine two to three drops of one of the oils with a vegetable carrier oil such as almond, then apply the mixture to the spot twice a day.

LICORICE AND GLYCOLIC ACID: A Beautiful Solution
Although it may be hard to find, a beauty product containing glycolic acid and licorice extract can work beautifully to lighten or eliminate age spots, says Close.
Glycolic acid consists of natural sugar acids derived from citrus, papaya, or other foods. It gently exfoliates the top layer of the skin, while the licorice bleaches the spot. To apply, follow the instructions on the label.

HONEY AND YOGURT: A Natural Bleach
A mixture of honey and yogurt creates a natural bleach that can help lighten age spots, says Pratima Raichur, a naturopathic doctor in New York City. To 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt, add 1 teaspoon of honey and mix thoroughly. Apply the mixture to your hands, let it dry, then wash it off after 30 minutes. Do this once a day. GOTU KOLA: Encourage Cell Growth The herb gotu kola may help fight age spots by stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells and the production of collagen, the protein that holds skin together, says Brigitte Mars, an herbalist and nutritional consultant in Boulder, Colorado. She recommends daily use of a tincture or capsule form of the herb. Add one dropper of tincture to _ cup of water and take three times daily, or take one or two 60-milligram capsules a day.