Age spots are areas of excess melanin resulting from exposure to artificial ultraviolet light or the sun. These natural remedies can fade the darkness of age spots as well as smooth their texture.
Lemon Juice
Lemons contain vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Antioxidants have a bleaching component that can reduce the appearance of age spots. It’s also important to exfoliate the skin to promote the growth of new skin cells, and you can do so with this recipe:
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 egg white
Massage age spots with this mixture for 10–15 minutes twice a week. Your loved one can also apply lemon juice directly on age spots twice a day for six to eight weeks to dramatically reduce the appearance.
Age spots are one of many common age-related conditions, some of which are serious enough to affect older adults’ ability to live at home in comfort. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of homecare families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licenced, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is another antioxidant that helps the skin resist free radicals that cause discolouration. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil also reduces inflammation that can cause age spots to look more prominent. Applying castor oil to age spots twice a day can smooth rough age spots to reduce overall appearance.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional senior home care. Calgary families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Apple Cider Vinegar & Onion Juice
The bleaching and astringent properties of apple cider vinegar are ideal for age spots, and mixing it with onion juice further enhances its capabilities. First, blend or chop an onion and extract the juice from it with a strainer. Next, mix one part apple cider vinegar and one part onion juice together. Dab a cotton pad in the mixture and place it on an age spot, leaving the mixture on for 30 minutes. Adding a few drops of apple cider vinegar and honey to a glass of water and drinking the mixture daily can also help the fading process from the inside out.
Cumin Seeds & Rice Water
Both cumin seeds and rice water contain cleansing and bleaching properties. Cumin has high iron, thymol, and phosphorus content that detoxifies the body and prevents hyperpigmentation, and rice water contains starch components and tightens the pores to reduce the appearance of age spots. Boil cumin seed in two cups of water and drain the seeds. Add one cup of rice water to the mixture and stir. Place the entire mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Rub the ice cubes on age spots for at least 3 minutes daily.
Caring for their skin can be challenging for seniors who have limited mobility or health conditions such as arthritis. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Calgary seniors can depend on. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 403-301-3777.