Treatment Options for Liver Spots

As the body ages, the pigments in the skin fight to protect the body from exposure to the sun. One of the most comment signs are liver spots, also known as age spots. Liver spots are discolored patches of tan and brown that appear on the skin on the backs of hands, arms, face, chest and sometimes the back. Liver spots themselves are relatively harmless, but their appearance may be discomfiting. Treatment of liver spots can help reduce their appearance.

Avoid overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays. Liver spots are caused by years of accumulated time spent in the sun, so you can prevent further liver spots from appearing by limiting the amount of time spent in direct sunlight.

Protect your skin when in the sun with sunblock. SPF 30 through SPF 65 are designed to completely block out harmful sun rays, and will help you prevent the appearance and darkening of current liver spots. You may also want to protect your face and head with a wide-brimmed hat while working and sitting outdoors.

Apply a skin-bleaching cream to age spots to fade them. Some creams are not powerful enough to reduce the appearance of liver spots enough, and may need to be reapplied. Search for creams that contain Aloe Vera and Kojic Acid.

Mix a home remedy of one fourth of a cup of lemon juice with two tablespoons of salt. Apply this mixture to liver spots to naturally bleach the skin. Be sure to rinse the skin and moisturize after application to avoid excessive drying of sensitive skin.

Talk to your doctor about surgical procedures, such as laser removal treatment, acid peels and liquid nitrogen applications. One of the problems with these types of treatments, however, is that further skin discoloration may occur. Prescription creams containing antioxidants are also available, and tend to produce longer-lasting results than over the counter treatments.