Age Spots

      Despite their name, these flat or rounded brown spots that can appear on the face or backs of the hands aren't caused by age. They are simpley areas of excess pigment, which result from years of exposure to the sunlight. Because it takes decades to see the results of sun damage, many people don't notice the marks until later in life, but people who have had significant sun exposure can develop them in their twenties and thirties. Some drugs can make you more vulnerable to sun damage and related age spots. These include diuretics, tetracycline and drugs for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Lighten Up
* Apply the juice of a lemon to the spots at least twice a day. Lemon juice is mildly acidic and may be strong enough to take off the skin's outer layer and remove or lighten age spots.
* Blend honey and yogurt to create a natural bleach that can lighten age spots. Mix together 1 tsp. of plain yogurt and 1 tsp. of honey. Apply the gel once or twice a day.
* A Remedy for removing age spots is to wipe them with buttermilk. This contain lactic acid, which gently exfoliates sun-damage skin and pigmented areas.
* Mix a little bicarbonate of soda with enough of a 50:50 solution of hydrogen peroxide (available from pharmacies and some supermarket) and water to form a gritty paste. Dab onto age spots, allow to dry, then rise off and pat skin dry.
*Strawberry make a gentle, effective treatment mask for fading age spots and lightening freckles. Mash 1-2 fresh strawberries and mix with 2 tsp. of cream to make a sloppy past. Apply mixture to clean skin, leave for 15 minutes, then remove with a warm, damp face washer and pat dry.

Prevention is Better than Medication
* Avoid the sun as much as possible druing peak hours.
*Apply sunscreen to your face and backs of your hands.
* Wear a sun hat
* After you've been out in the sun, apply some Vitamin E oil. It is an anti-oxidant and may help to prevent age spots by neutralizing skin-damaging free-radical molecules.