We all have brown spots, otherwise known as age spots, somewhere on our skin. Whether it’s on your face, legs, arms, shoulders, or hands, you’ll be able to find brown spots somewhere on your body. As we age, these brown spots tend to multiply, hence why they’re also referred to as age spots – these large, brown splotches are an obvious sign of aging.

If you don’t like the look of these age spots and you’re looking to get rid of them, we have good news for you. There is a way to remove brown age spots from your skin, and it’s an extremely easy trick that only requires two ingredients. You probably have them in your kitchen right now.

But where do brown spots come from? Is there a way to stop them before you even have to resort to this two-ingredient solution?

Absolutely. Read on to learn why you have so many age spots, if they can be dangerous to your health, and other ways to remove and prevent them.

Why Do We Get Age Spots?

There are a few reasons you have these brown spots on your skin, with the first and foremost reason being over-exposure to sunlight and UV rays. This can be either from spending a lot of time outside (especially without wearing sunscreen) or from spending time in tanning beds, which give intense UV exposure.

The more sunlight and UV rays we’re exposed to, the more quickly melanin is produced in our bodies. Melanin is our bodies’ natural response to sunlight and is responsible for tanning and darkening our skin.

Over the years, our beach tans will fade, but areas of our body that have been seriously exposed to UV rays over the years will retain some brown splotches. This means the melanin was overactive in these areas, resulting in unsightly age spots.

Are Age Spots Dangerous?

According to medical experts, the scary truth is that they can be. This doesn’t mean that every brown spot is cancerous, but there are a few warning signs experts say you should keep an eye out for:

  • If some spots are much darker than others
  • If they have a funky border around them
  • If they’re constantly growing or changing
  • If they’re red or tender

Experts suggest that if you notice any of these signs with your brown spots, see your doctor or dermatologist immediately. The best way to keep track of this is to do regular self-examinations.

Nervous or unsure about the status of your spots? Experts say to try testing your age spots with the “ABCDE’s of Melanoma” test. Ask yourself each of these questions when determining if your spots may be potentially hazardous.

How Can You Get Rid of Brown Spots

Luckily, experts say that there is a simple way to reduce the appearance of age spots on your skin.

Experts recommend a simple juice solution that only requires two basic ingredients and a few minutes of your time. Watch the video below by to learn a little bit more about this solution and why people claim it’s so effective on your age spots.

This solution is credited to Doug Willen, author of Quantum Paleo, and it really works wonders on clearing up your age spots. The two ingredients you’ll need are onion juice and apple cider vinegar.

Onion juice has been shown in studies to help remove skin scarring. Onions are said to contain antioxidants that help fight free radicals, especially in the top layers of skin.

Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxy acids, an acid which helps remove dead layers of skin. Between these two healing ingredients, experts say you may soon start to see fresh, spotless skin.

Anti-Age Spot Mixture

  1. Chop up a fresh onion and put it in a Ziploc bag
  2. Pulverize the onion using a blunt surface and pour it into a blender.
  3. Blend the onion with a 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar until smooth.
  4. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply on your spots daily. Do this for 2-4 weeks or until you see results.

While this may not be an overnight solution to your age spots, it is an all-natural, inexpensive, and simple solution that is not only convenient but is also said to be very effective. It may take a few weeks, but it has been said that sticking with this routine can bring positive results. However, note that this is not medical advice and that it is recommended by medical experts that you first seek medical advice regarding any concerns related to your skin.

Can You Prevent Age Spots?

Yes and no, according to experts. Unless we confine ourselves to our homes forever (which we do not suggest), we are going to be exposed to the sun one way or another.

Experts say that the best thing to do to avoid rampant, large, or dangerous age spots is to be aware of how much time we spend outside. It is suggested that we cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible and always wear sunscreen — even in the winter and even if just running outside for a minute. Also, stay away from strong UV lights, like in tanning beds. These beds, while they give you the tan you crave, are nothing but severely harmful to your skin.

Sunburnkosmos111 via Dollar Photo Club

Most importantly, if you have any concerns regarding age spots, make sure to bring them to your doctor right away. Stay protected and stay smart about your brown spots.