We all know what age spots look like — tiny brown dark spots that can develop on your hands and face. We think they come from growing older, but they are actually a sign of sun damage or fluctuations in hormones.
The medical treatments that can effectively fade or permanently remove dark spots include lasers, chemical peels and microdermabrasion, but you can also remove those spots naturally with items in your kitchen.
Here are seven products that may already be in your pantry or refrigerator that can naturally and effectively fade dark spots or age spots on your hands and face.
1. Lemon juice
Using lemon juice to combat age spots is really a no-brainer. The citric acid and vitamin C in lemon make it the perfect natural bleaching agent. Test your skin first to see if you are sensitive to lemon juice at full strength. If the pure lemon juice is too harsh for your skin, you can dilute it with water.
Take one lemon, water and a cotton ball. Squeeze the lemon into a bowl and add equal parts of water. Use the cotton ball to apply the mixture directly to the areas with dark spots on your face and hands. Leave on for about 20 minutes and then rinse with water, but don’t use soap. Do this at least a couple of nights a week to allow the lemon juice time to fade the spots and even out your skin tone.
2. Potato
The starch and sugar in potatoes can work wonders on the skin due to their exfoliating ability to remove dead skin and boost the growth of new cells. The potato's vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, potassium, zinc, vitamin C and phosphorus, all work to rejuvenate the collagen in your skin.
To use a potato on dark spots, just cut the potato into thin slices. Take the slices and apply a little water to moisten, and then place it on your skin over the age spots. Leave it on for about 10 minutes. You can apply potato to your skin every day. It’s that mild, and it’s best to apply at night to give the vitamins and minerals a chance to work on your skin tone.