While brown spots on your face might be harmless, they can mar your appearance. Also known as age spots or liver spots, brown spots appear because of excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, according to the Mayo Clinic. As you age, your skin produces extra melanin that further intensifies the appearance of these spots. You are at risk of developing brown spots if you are light-skinned, spend long hours in the sun and are prone to sunburn. Minimize the appearance of brown spots by using cost-effective over-the-counter treatments and by taking preventive measures.

Apply hydroquinone, a bleaching agent. Purchase hydroquinone bleach cream from department stores or over-the-counter at drug stores, in concentrations of 2 percent. Dip a Q-tip in the hydroquinone cream and apply it directly on your brown spots to lighten them. Hydroquinone slows the production of melanin, the pigment that causes brown spots on your face.

Use over-the-counter fade creams containing skin lightening agents such as kojic acid, mulberry, licorice extract or vitamin C. Apply the fade cream daily on your brown spots until they diminish in appearance.

Avoid stepping out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation is at its highest. Exposing your skin to the sun during this period will cause your skin to produce more melanin and increase the appearance of brown spots on your face.

Use a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen that blocks the sun’s UVA and UVB radiation before you go outdoors. Apply the sunscreen on your face 15 minutes before you step out. Reapply it every two hours, if you perspire or are out swimming.

Tip

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face from the sun whenever you are outdoors.

Tip

  • Consult your doctor before using hydroquinone, if you have sensitive skin. Hydroquinone can cause skin blistering on sensitive skins.

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