How long does it take for apple cider vinegar to lighten dark spots?
If the spots have not completely disappeared after the six weeks but have started to fade, keep repeating the process until they do. To speed up the process, you can mix three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a mug full of water (hot or cold) and drink this twice daily for a month.
Age spots (also known as sunspots, liver spots, and lentigines) are harmless, flat, yellow, or brown discolorations of the skin that usually occur on the back of the hands, neck, and face of people above the age of 40.
These age spots are usually not serious but are mainly an annoyance since they can reveal a person's age. However, if you have irregular, dark spots that increase in size or change color/texture, have them checked by a doctor since they could be a sign of skin cancer.
Here are a few easy home remedies to help fade spots.
Related: Skin Care Basics That Everyone Should Know
Causes of Age Spots
Age spots are commonly a sign of sun damage. In more serious cases, they can be caused by impaired liver function or nutritional or dietary deficiencies.
As we age, our metabolism slows down, and the liver can become overwhelmed with toxins. If the liver can't rid the body of these toxins, age spots (aka, liver spots) can develop. Additionally, oxidation within the body and a lack of antioxidants in your diet can also cause the development of age spots.
It is important to remember that age spots take years to form, and eliminating them will take time, too. But don't give up! Try one of the remedies below for a few months, and if they don't improve, simply try another one. Also, as a preventative measure, always use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30+ if you plan to be outdoors in the sun for extended periods.
Natural Ways to Help Stop Age Spots
1) APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider mixed with onion juice and applied directly to the skin can help you to get rid of age spots and sunspots. Apple cider vinegar is a liquid made by combining apples and yeast. While it doesn’t have the most pleasant flavor, it can do wonders for your skin and health. Many people also use it as a DIY cleaning solution around the home.
In addition to helping with age spots, some people also claim that it helps with varicose veins, acne, and other skin issues.
DIRECTIONS: Finely chop or blend an onion, and use a strainer or cheesecloth to squeeze and extract the juice.
Take one part of apple cider vinegar and one part of onion juice and mix them. Dab a cotton pad into the solution and apply it directly onto the age spots.
Leave this on the skin for a minimum of 30 minutes. Repeat this once a day for approximately six weeks, and you should begin to notice a gradual improvement. If the spots have not completely disappeared after the six weeks but have started to fade, keep repeating the process until they do.
To speed up the process, you can mix three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a mug full of water (hot or cold) and drink this twice daily for a month.
This will not only improve your age spots but will also give your skin a healthy young glow and make you feel active and energized. If you don't like the tase of vinegar, try adding a tablespoon of honey as a natural sweetener.
Aloe vera plant closeup.
2) ALOE VERA
Aloe vera juice and gel have long been regarded as a general healing agent for skin problems, particularly burns.
Aloe vera juice comes from the plant of the same name that originates from the Arabian Peninsula. Aloe vera is a kind of succulent plant, and when you crack the leaves open, the gel will ooze out. You can apply the aloe gel directly to your skin to experience its healing benefits.
Of course, if you don’t have an aloe vera plant at home, you can always buy aloe vera lotion or gel from the store. Many people have found aloe vera to help reduce the visual appearance of age spots.
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Simply rub the juice or gel directly onto the affected areas twice a day, and leave it on the skin for at least 45 minutes each time. Within a month, you should begin to notice improvements.
3) LEMON JUICE
The acid in lemon juice has been shown to help fade the appearance of age spots. While you can buy lemon juice in a bottle, we recommend using the juice of fresh lemon. Simply dab fresh lemon juice directly onto the spots twice daily, and you should begin to notice improvements in about two months.
Leave the juice on the skin for at least 30 minutes or as long as you are comfortable with it. You can also leave the juice on the skin overnight.
4) CASTOR OIL
Castor oil is a kind of vegetable oil commonly used for cosmetic and medical purposes. It’s a thick, odorless oil that derives from the seeds of the castor plant. While many people use castor oil as a laxative, it also has a host of other benefits.
Castor oil has been shown to improve the appearance of age spots. Simply rub the oil directly onto the affected skin areas once in the morning and once in the evening. This should help fade the spots within a month. Castor oil is safe to use, and it can be applied directly to the skin.
In addition to helping fade age spots, castor oil can also moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation.
5) LACTIC ACID PEEL
Although lactic acid chemical peels aren't exactly a home remedy, you can still apply it on yourself with Perfect Image's at-home Lactic Acid Peel & Hydro-Glo Peel Pads. They effectively combat dark spots by making them less noticeable through peeling the top layer of the skin by exfoliation. By peeling away the top layer of skin, you’ll reveal the younger, smoother-looking layer underneath it.
At-home acid peels are an excellent alternative to clinical acid peels, as they’re much more affordable and convenient.
Related: Chemical Peel vs. Microdermabrasion: Which is Right for Me?
6) Potatoes
While it may sound odd, potatoes are another excellent remedy for age spots. The sugar and starch in potatoes can work as an exfoliator on the skin, buffing away the top layer to reveal a healthier, younger-looking layer of skin underneath.
Plus, potatoes contain many vitamins and minerals that can rejuvenate the skin’s collagen, such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, zinc, and potassium. All you need to do is cut your potatoes into thin slices, moisten them with water, and apply them directly to the skin.
Leave the potatoes on your skin for about 10 minutes. Try this every day, and you’ll soon notice differences in the way your skin looks.
Rolled oats in milk with spoon.
7) Oatmeal
Oatmeal is more than just a breakfast food - it’s also great for your skin! Like potatoes, oatmeal contains exfoliating properties that can help clear away dead skin cells. To make an exfoliator with oatmeal, combine three tablespoons of oatmeal with one tablespoon of milk and one tablespoon of honey.
Mix until the ingredients form a paste, then apply the mixture directly to your skin. While the oatmeal exfoliates, the honey and milk will moisturize your skin. You can apply this mixture a few times a week to reduce the appearance of age spots.
8) Cucumbers
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Many people use cucumbers to minimize dark circles under their eyes or to minimize the appearance of hooded or droopy eyelids. Cucumbers can also help with age spot elimination.
Cucumbers contain antioxidants and multivitamins, and they have a high water content level. Slice the cucumber, rub it on your skin, and leave the slice on your skin for about 20 minutes to minimize the appearance of age spots. You can also create a cucumber mixture using aloe vera and lemon juice.
Combine one tablespoon of lemon juice, half of a teaspoon of aloe vera, and one cucumber in a blender. Mix the ingredients until they form a pulp, and apply the mixture to your face and hands as needed to reduce age spots. Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes before washing away with cold water.
9) Green Tea Extract
Many people sip on green tea to boost their metabolism and lose weight. However, green tea can also improve the appearance of your skin. You can purchase green tea extract and apply it to your skin, or you can apply green tea bags directly to your skin.
If you choose to use green tea bags, you first need to steep the bags in boiling water for three to five minutes. Then, remove the bags from the boiling water and allow them to cool down. Once the bags are cool, you can run them on the areas of your skin that have age spots. You can repeat this process twice per day until you start to see results.
Natural herbal tea.
10) Black Tea Water
A recent animal study found that black tea water lightened dark spots on guinea pigs, so it’s worth trying the remedy out on your skin.
We recommend adding a spoonful of fresh black tea leaves to some boiling water. Allow the mixture to steep for two hours, then strain the mixture to remove the tea leaves. Then, take your cotton ball and soak it in the tea water, and apply the cotton ball directly to the parts of the skin that have hyperpigmentation. You can repeat this process daily.
Related: Skin Care Tip: Drink Barley Tea
11) Buttermilk
Buttermilk, regular milk, and yogurt all contain high lactic acid levels. Lactic acid can help exfoliate and lighten the skin. You can apply buttermilk or yogurt directly to your skin to fight age spots.
We recommend saturating the buttermilk with a cotton ball to make it easier to apply. You can try this remedy daily until you see the results you’re looking for.
Don’t Let Age Spots on Your Face Worry You
As you can see, there are many simple remedies you can try to get rid of age spots on your skin. While your age spots won’t go away overnight, these remedies can help reduce their appearance over time.
If you’re looking for more products to improve your skin, check out our skincare bundles!
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