How To Fade Age Spots Naturally

Erasing Liver Spots Through Diet and Supplements

Jan 25, 2010
Kelly Wallace

How To Fade Age Spots Naturally - Dreamstime

Repeated exposure to the sun causes age spots to appear on those who are middle aged. Proper diet, supplements, and sun protection can help fade and prevent them.

Age spots are a natural part of getting older and having spent too much time in the sun without proper protection. Having an unhealthy diet can also contribute to brown spots on the hands, face, shoulders, and chest. Most age spots are only the size of a small freckle though some can be the size of a nickel. Although they may be embarrassing and make one feel as if they’re getting old, they’re harmless and can be faded over time through natural means such as adding certain foods to your diet.

What Age Spots Are

Also called liver spots or solar lentigines, these darkly pigmented skin areas are usually flat like a freckle and vary in color from black to very light brown. Usually present on people over the age of 40, they can be found on any skin area that has had regular exposure to the sun.

People with light skin have less melanin and suffer more sun damage than those who have darker skin. Those who develop age spots well before the age of 40 may have inherited this type of skin problem from one or both of their parents.

Protect Your Skin

If you’re dealing with age spots now, you can eventually fade them and prevent new ones from appearing. When out in the sun, use a high SPF sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin, wear a hat and a shirt with long sleeves. It’s also best to stay indoors when the sun is at it’s peek from noon to 3pm.

Natural Help for Age Spots

Creams and lotions that contain alpha hydroxy acid or hydroquinone can help fade age spots over time, but supplements and the right diet may also help reduce liver spots and prevent more from appearing in the future.

Drinking 64oz of water each day and eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can help to eliminate toxins from the body and skin. When the body is detoxed and properly hydrated, skin looks smoother and more supple.

Limit or avoid habits that make skin look older, such as consuming alcohol, sugar, junk food, caffeine, and smoking. Quitting the cigarette habit alone can help one look up to ten years younger.

Lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide can help fade brown spots on the skin. Simply dip a cotton swap in the juice or peroxide, dab it on the dark patches, and let dry. Repeat up to three times a day.

Foods that May Fade Age Spots

Eating foods from the following lists can help boost the immune system and help skin remain clear, smoother and softer.

Add foods high in beta-carotene such as:

Carrots
Pumpkin
Sweet potatoes

Add vitamin E-rich foods such as:

Almonds
Sunflower seeds
Wheat germ

Add foods high in vitamin C such as:

Oranges
Lemons
Limes
Grapefruit
Strawberries
Cantaloupe

Fade Age Spots with Supplements

The following supplements can help boost the immune system, may fade age spots and prevent new brown patches from forming. Always follow label direction, though suggested dosages are:

Vitamin E: 400 IU daily
Vitamin A as beta carotene: 25,000 IU daily
Selenium: 200 mcg daily
Vitamin C: 1,000 mg daily

Fading Age Spots Takes Time

Try all or some of the above suggestions and see what works for you over time. Protecting skin from harmful sun rays and eating healthy is beneficial for everyone. If liver spots don’t fade, you may want to seek the opinion of a dermatologist who could recommend prescription creams or laser treatment.