If you guessed your hands, you’re right! Just like your face, they’re prone to crepiness, wrinkles and age spots. However, because we’re less focused on protecting the delicate skin on our hands, they can look old before their time!
THE SUN IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF SUN SPOTS
The great news is you can stop trouble in it’s tracks—and even make your hands look young again!
If you’ve noticed some age spots on your body, here’s a little anti-aging win for you: It’s actually more accurate to call them sun spots. They can pop up at anytime and you’ll tend to find them (no surprise) on areas of the skin that get the most sun exposure. Such as face, hands, shoulders and arms.
BLOCK OUT SUN
Driving is a sneaky sun spot promoter. Ultraviolet light penetrates windows, so people who drive a lot often develop more sun spots on the left side of their body instead of their right. Apply sun screen with at least SPF 30, and for extra protection have car windows tinted or install a see-through visor on your driver’s side car window to further reduce sun exposure.
Is it possible to prevent and undo that incidental sun damage? I know I already said it, but I’ll say it again: USE SUNSCREEN. Apply it every morning, and reapply it throughout the day. Just make a habit of slathering on a SPF-infused moisturizer (such as Avon’s Anew Hydra Fusion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50) as often as possible and after each hand washing.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Sunsceen helps, but it cannot block 100% of the sun’s radiation, so add a product with antioxidants like Vitamin C brightening serum (such as Avon’s Anew Vitamin C Brightening Serum) to your skin regimen. Antioxidants quench free radicals that still form even when using sunscreen.
LIGHTEN THE SPOTS
Already have some sun spots? Avon’s Anew Clinical Absolute Even Multi-Tone Skin Corrector. Absolute Even reduces the look of 7 types of discolorations: Sun Spots, Uneven Skin Tone, Post Acne Marks, Brown Patches, Blotchy Red Patches, Freckles and Sallowness. Use AM and PM after cleansing Use for 30 days for best results.
My research found a few natural remedies to try for fading sun spots
Lemon Juice
The citric acid in lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent and exfoliates the skin, reducing the appearance of sun spots.
- Simply dab fresh lemon juice directly onto the spots twice daily and you should begin to notice improvements in about two months. Leave the juice on the skin for at least 30 minutes, or as long as you are comfortable with it. You can also leave the juice on the skin overnight.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains natural alpha hydroxy acids, which are known to help lighten sun and age spots.
- To combat the acidic nature of vinegar, you can mix it with olive oil which will protect the skin from dryness. Apply every day on the skin and remove it after 20 minutes. Your skin will be left soft and smooth.
- It is normal to experience a little redness or stinging at first
Lemon + Yogurt Cream
The lemon’s citric acid and vitamin C act like a mild bleach to lighten dark spots, while exfoliating yogurt dissolves dead cells to quickly reveal the brighter skin beneath.
- Mix 1 Tablespoon of plain yogurt and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Dab onto dark spots and let sit 15 minutes before rinsing.