How to Reduce Brown Spots

Brown spots on the skin, also known as sun spots, freckles and age spots, are caused by sun exposure. While they can occur anywhere on the body, they are more common on areas commonly exposed to the sun, such as the face, chest, arms and hands. Thankfully, there are various treatment methods available to reduce brown spots. With diligent care, you can even get rid of them. You can also take steps to prevent new brown spots from forming.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunscreen
• Bleaching cream
• Hydroxy acids
• Laser therapy
• Chemical peels
• Lemon juice

1. Wear sunscreen daily. If you wish to reduce your brown spots, you must protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Apply a high-SPF sunscreen that guards against both UVA and UVB rays daily, regardless of the weather.

2. Apply bleaching cream to your brown spots. Bleaching creams work to gradually lighten areas of hyperpigmentation on your skin, helping your brown spots blend in with surrounding skin. You can find over-the-counter bleaching creams in most cosmetic and drug stores.

3. Use hydroxy acids. These naturally occurring acids encourage skin-cell regeneration. This means that new skin cells are more quickly produced to replace your older, sun-damaged cells. You can find hydroxy acids in a variety of skin-care products, such as lotions, serums, cleansers and toners. Use daily for best results.

4. Get laser therapy. Lasers are effectively used to lighten brown spots on the skin. The laser's light breaks up areas of darker pigmentation. It also encourages collagen production so your skin will look smoother and more even in tone. You can get laser therapy at most dermatologists' offices or laser centers.

5. Try chemical peels. Chemicals will be applied to your skin that effectively burn away its top layers. Once your skin heals, your brown spots will be much less noticeable. A series of chemical peels is often needed to significantly reduce brown spots. You can get chemical peels from dermatologists and skincare professionals.

6. Slice a lemon in half and squeeze the fresh juice on your brown spots. Lemon juice works as a natural bleaching agent, thanks to its acidity. If applied daily, lemon juice can gradually lighten your brown spots over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not go out into the sun unprotected. Any effort to lighten or reduce your brown spots will be thwarted if you expose yourself to the sun.

References

• Cosmetic Laser Surgery
• Health Central
• Glycolic.org