Removing age spots begins with improving your overall health so skin is well cared for. Before you think about lightening or removing age spots, however, please check with your dermatologist to determine the type of spots you have. Some spots can be dangerous and should be surgically removed by a professional.
Taking Proper Care Of Your Skin
The best way to remove age spots is to keep them from appearing in the first place. That means getting a minimum of six to eight glasses of water per day, avoiding the sun or using sunscreen when you can't avoid the sun, eating nutritious meals and staying away from foods that are bad for you. It's also important to keep your weight under control and to maintain the tone of your skin by exercising regularly and using a good skin moisturizer that doesn't include alcohol, mineral oil, fragrance or parabens.
Exfoliation Treatments
Different exfoliation treatments can be purchased over the counter and used in the privacy of your own home to remove age spots. If you don't have any ideas where to start, look for products that contain ingredients such as grapeseed oil and vitamin E. And never underestimate the power of shea butter as a softening agent.
Lightening Age Spots
You can always dab lemon or lime juice on the age spot for several months to see a significant difference; however, you must be careful. Unfortunately, citrus juice will bleach all portions of your face, not just an age spot, and the results can be a very blotchy complexion. To avoid this, use a cotton-tipped swab, and touch up only the spots that require lightening. When you have reached a point where the age spots have been lightened enough to blend in with the rest of your complexion, stop using the lightening formula, and use the exfoliation infrequently.
The most important step in the removal of age spots is to make sure you do not expose the same skin to sunlight, or the age spot may reappear. Never attempt to remove an age spot that is bigger than a freckle or is raised. If the age spots are large, or if there are many of them, don't take things into your own hands. Call in the professionals, and together you can decide which course of action is best for you.