My husband has recently developed what are known in the UK as "age spots" on his forearms. Is there anyone out there who can advise us how we can try to get rid of these unsightly marks? Thanks.
Elsie
By min crun from Macclesfield, UK
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There are different creams for this purpose. Depending on your husbands age, why worry about these age spots? I started getting them on my hands when I was in my early 20s, and I still have them, plus more. I have heard that they are supposed to be caused by exposure to the sun, but I was never out in the sun too often or for long periods of time. Usually when I was outside it was in shaded areas.
You can try any type of over the counter fade cream, but it will take time, and will not be as effective as a prescription.
He also needs to be wearing a strong sunblock on his arms and hands, to prevent worsening, or new ones from forming.
This might be something a doctor should identify. there are many things it could be. Some things I have been recommended are a weak solution of bleach and water. Also, a shampoo with tar. Selenium sulfide is good for some things. A doctor is the safest choice.
Any skin cream that has hydroquinone listed as an active ingredient. Prescription or over the counter, but should be applied often.
I have very good luck with a product by Ambi.
It's a cream comes in a tube in formulas (I think) Normal, Dry and Oily.
They have a website: www.Ambi.com
And they offer coupons and you can buy it from their site, plus other products they offer.
They promise results in two weeks when used twice a day. I'm 54 and when I use it like they tell me, I get results in 2-3 weeks. Of course, I'm an exfoliator and your husband will have to use one too.
An easy one is baking soda - used for cooking and i think it's also known as bicarbonate of soda. I buy it in the baking aisle in the grocery store. Wet the skin, pour baking soda and some water into your hands to make a paste, and rub it into the skin all over, rinse well-his skin will be as soft as a baby's. If he doesn't have sensitive skin, he could do it every day. I do, but I don't have sensitive skin. otherwise, i'd experiment and start with twice a week and see if he can work up to every day.
You probably have this in the UK, but I also use powdered meat tenderizer as an exfoliator too. I buy it in the spice aisle at the grocery store. It's supposed to tenderize meat because it has papain or bromelain in it - believe papain comes from papaya fruit and bromelain comes from pineapple.
Whatever you buy, make sure it has one of these in it and use it like the baking soda. I buy the store brand but one brand name I know is Adolph's Meat Tenderizer.
Plain table sugar is great too. Use it like the baking soda.
I hope you have good luck with Ambi. they're really inexpensive too, like US$6 apx/tube.
I'll bet you can also buy it on www.amazon.com. They sell literally everything and I feel 99% sure they ship overseas.
I have brown blotches, spots, etc from years of sunbathing before anyone knew about sunblock and I fight it every day!
He'll have to use a sunblock - highest SPF you can find, every single day even if he stays inside. Wearing long sleeve clothing helps. I just read in the latest issue of More magazine that recent research shows navy and red to block the most rays. I was shocked to find out that a regular white t shirt has an spf of 3!
Good luck!
I have recently been researching freckle removal which is also an over production of melatonin so I expect you would see similar results. Apple cider vinegar is wonderful but you have to be very careful as it can burn the skin. Also, lemon or lime juice applied daily can lighten these areas! Best of luck!
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I have spots on my head that I thought were from hair color, but my dermatologist told me they are age spots like the ones we get from the sun. I have age spots on my arms, but I've never heard of anyone having them on their head. He said they become hard because I pick at them and the skin becomes thick. He has frozen a couple off, but I keep getting another one.
Prior to all this I was under a lot of stress and my arms started breaking out. That cleared up and then I got a case of hives under my clothes. That cleared up months ago, but the scalp condition continues. I was wondering if the doctor's diagnosis is really correct or if all this is still related to stress or something else like dry air or hard water. All these problems started since I moved to west Texas where the air is very dry and the water is hard. Any comments from my frugal friends?
By Betty
Betty, do you pick at them because they itch and/or are raised and has that doctor even bothered to have a lab test done on any of them instead of simply freezing them off? Age spots are caused by sun damage the majority of the time so they could possibly be pre-cancerous.
Does anyone know what can be used for age spots on the face and hands? Other than the really expensive lotions sold now.
Val from Cranford, NJ
I have tried the less expensive drug store bleaches out there, but without much success. The best way is to use sunscreen "keep out of the sun, and then sometimes they fade". Or you could try lemon juice, that was always recommended in the old days for freckles. Oh, and remember to put sunscreen on your hands and neck area, too. (03/02/2007)
By pam munro
I read that Castor oil would bleach them out if applied every night. Don't know how long it takes.
By siris
I would definitely stay out of the sun. Always apply sunscreen even when you are in the house.
But the main thing I wanted to tell you is that my sister, who will be 78 this month, tells me that she's removed spots by sprinkling flax over the top of her morning's oatmeal.
Hope this helps you.
(03/06/2007)
By Carol in PA
I have rosacea and the only really effective treatment is something called IPL (Intensive Pulsed Light) sort of like a laser. It is fairly expensive when done by a plastic surgeon, but much cheaper when done by a licensed technician. In addition to removing the hundreds of little capillaries that make your face red, it removes freckles, liver spots, keratoses, and precancers. Because of these cosmetic bonuses, most insurances will not pay for it. However, I understand that military personnel can get it done for free. (03/06/2007)
I use regular peroxide, after my bath, I "wash" my hands and arms with it about once a week. And I stay out of the sun. I also have used it on my face with no problems. Just let it air dry! I made the mistake of using a "tinted" moisturizer for about 2 weeks, and noticed it was making the spots return. Back to the peroxide and gone in 2 days. (03/11/2007)
By Mary from Crown Point, IN
I have been using something called Dr. Bragi. It has a marine enzyme in it which exfoliates the skin, and it works on bags under the eyes and age spots (or liver spots as my mother charmingly calls them). Over time they fade away, but it does take time. I've been trying for 6 months and my skin looks amazing. It is very soft and smooth and all the redness and freckles are fading slowly. Apparently it could take up to 2 years, but I can see a difference.
I got it on the web at DrBragi.com.
(02/03/2008)
By Autumn Sidd
I saw this on a TV show where all the hosts are doctors that putting white vinegar on them helps fade them away. Take Care. (11/22/2008)
By Maribel
