7 Ways To Prevent and Reverse Age Spots (#5 Will Surprise You)

Age spots – the brown spots on your face, chest, arms, and body – are robbing you of your youth. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time to get it back!

Age spots are primarily caused by years of sun exposure. When you’re exposed to the sun, melanin rises to the skin’s surface as a way of protecting itself. Along with blocking the sun from penetrating the skin too deeply, melanin makes skin look darker. While you may love the way your tan looks, over time melanin may start accumulating in little pockets all over your skin. This is how many blotches and age spots (AKA hyperpigmentations) are formed.

Age spots can also be caused by tanning beds, certain medications, and genetics. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do right now to reverse age spots and prevent new ones from forming.

1) Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and can cause the most damage during that time frame.

2) Wear sunscreen every day (all year long)

Even on cloudy days, your skin is exposed to the sun’s rays. So regardless of whether you think you need to wear sunscreen or not, it’s best to run some on your face, chest, arms, and hands. Dermatologists recommend wearing at least SPF 15

3) Apply sunscreen before sun exposure

Do you typically apply sunscreen after you’re already in the sun? Perhaps you put it on as you’re laying by the pool or after you’ve arrived at the beach. If that’s the case, it’s time to change up your sunscreen routine. Instead, apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going in the sun and reapply every two hours.

4) Wear protective clothing when you’re outside

Hats and gloves can go a long way!

5) Balance your hormones

Excess estrogen levels in relation to progesterone levels can contribute to increased age spot formation. A few warning signs of estrogen dominance include:

Weight gain
Mood swings
Fatigue
Breast swelling and tenderness
Irregular or abnormal menstrual cycles

If you are estrogen dominant eat a hormone balancing diet filled with lots of fruits, vegetables, fiber, a moderate amount of healthy fats, and protein. This would be a great time to detox your body. Also, focus on reducing your stress level.

6) Eat foods rich in antioxidants

Free radicals in the body can help form age spots. Eating antioxidant-rich foods will fight those free radicals.