Is there anything that I can use to deminish them somewhat? I don't like to wear long sleeves. Any suggestions?
Full Version: Age Spots
I started getting age spots in my 40's on my hands and forearms. I'll be 54 in two weeks and now my poor body has been taken over by those age spots.
Is there anything that I can use to deminish them somewhat? I don't like to wear long sleeves. Any suggestions?
Is there anything that I can use to deminish them somewhat? I don't like to wear long sleeves. Any suggestions?
Two suggestions--Olay Definity foaming moisturizer. About $35 at Costco. Probably won't get rid of the spots completely but fades them pretty well. Takes a few months.
IPL photofacial laser--will definitely get rid of the spots, but may take more than one session and can be costly. I've had this done on my face, at my dermatologist. Smarts a bit but nothing horrible.
Protecting yourself from the sun is crucial in order to keep the spots from coming back. Buy buckets of sunscreen!
IPL photofacial laser--will definitely get rid of the spots, but may take more than one session and can be costly. I've had this done on my face, at my dermatologist. Smarts a bit but nothing horrible.
Protecting yourself from the sun is crucial in order to keep the spots from coming back. Buy buckets of sunscreen!
I saw that your question was about sun spots on your arms and hands - until I saw that detail, I would have suggested you go to your dermatologist or medical spa and get prescribed hydroquinone and Retin-A, as this combo is the gold standard for getting rid of them on the face where nothing else works. But for your body skin, do see your derm/medical esthetician anyway for suggestions. they might help you with products formulated for the body that will address these. Another professional/medical approach is IPL(a series, usually 3-5 treatments of Intense Pulsed Light treatments that get rid of spots - this works fast, but is expensive!)In the meantime, sunblock, sunblock, sunblock, and yes, sleeves! Unprotected sun exposure is going to be a thing of the past for you. Neutrogena's Sheer Dry Touch sunblocks with Helioplex with high SPFs are very good and photostable(meaning that unless you are swimming or sweating heavily, you get a good 4 hours of protection instead of an hour or two when you are out.
Good luck with this! I'm dealing with this on my face, have been easing into Retin-A over the last couple of months, and test-driving a cream that has glucosamine and niacinamide(at a higher percentage than the Olay Definity). These do take longer than hydroquinone though, and for some folks not work as well as that.
Good luck with this! I'm dealing with this on my face, have been easing into Retin-A over the last couple of months, and test-driving a cream that has glucosamine and niacinamide(at a higher percentage than the Olay Definity). These do take longer than hydroquinone though, and for some folks not work as well as that.
Please know there is strong evidence that chemical sunscreens/sunblocks are responsible for increased incidences of skin cancer throughout the world.
All commercial products should be used with caution and in moderation.
Try natural things to lighten age spots, such as topical application of lemon juice, lemon juice & sugar, honey & yogurt, etc.
All commercial products should be used with caution and in moderation.
Try natural things to lighten age spots, such as topical application of lemon juice, lemon juice & sugar, honey & yogurt, etc.
WHOA! Are you saying that sunscreen actually increases the risk for what it is supposed to be protecting us from?!!!! How do you know this?
QUOTE (nightbird @ May 7 2008, 05:53 PM) 
Please know there is strong evidence that chemical sunscreens/sunblocks are responsible for increased incidences of skin cancer throughout the world.
All commercial products should be used with caution and in moderation.
Try natural things to lighten age spots, such as topical application of lemon juice, lemon juice & sugar, honey & yogurt, etc.
All commercial products should be used with caution and in moderation.
Try natural things to lighten age spots, such as topical application of lemon juice, lemon juice & sugar, honey & yogurt, etc.
QUOTE (slowbear @ May 7 2008, 06:52 PM)
WHOA! Are you saying that sunscreen actually increases the risk for what it is supposed to be protecting us from?!!!! How do you know this?
I've never heard that before. Would you please tell us where you heard that from?
If they are on your body I recommend Arbonnes RE9 body serum, wash and lotion. All of their products are botanically based. The combination of the serum and lotion took a red bumpy rash off my upper arms I had been dealing with since the birth of my oldest (18 years) it also took the callouses off my feet from scars where I had plantars warts removed. I hear it does wonders for brown spots too. I swear up and down this stuff is addictive lol. If you know a person who is in arbonne as a consultant ask them about the special for $25 you can get the serum and lotion, typically $92 a set. Usually just hosting a class you could get this deal, well worth it trust me! Or sign up as a wholesale buyer and get everything at a discount and lots of good deals on top of that. If you are interested and need any help finding someone in your area send me a message or if you just want to sign up on your own and need help getting the best bang for your buck.
QUOTE (nightbird @ May 7 2008, 04:53 PM)
Please know there is strong evidence that chemical sunscreens/sunblocks are responsible for increased incidences of skin cancer throughout the world.
All commercial products should be used with caution and in moderation.
Try natural things to lighten age spots, such as topical application of lemon juice, lemon juice & sugar, honey & yogurt, etc.
All commercial products should be used with caution and in moderation.
Try natural things to lighten age spots, such as topical application of lemon juice, lemon juice & sugar, honey & yogurt, etc.
This isn't really a wide-spread belief. Most scientists think that skin cancer is on the increase because people think if they put on a little sunscreen they can stay in the sun longer. Most people don't use enough sunscreen. You need a big handful for swimsuit coverage. Clothing made specifically to block the sun's rays is the best option if you are going to be outdoors. Using sunscreen is the next best thing.
I live in Colorado, where the sun can be brutal. Seeing a dermatologist regularly is crucial to having healthy skin. Keep an eye on moles and changes in your skin and do your best not to get sunburned.
QUOTE (slowbear @ May 7 2008, 06:52 PM)
WHOA! Are you saying that sunscreen actually increases the risk for what it is supposed to be protecting us from?!!!! How do you know this?
I've been learning a great deal about our government, the big pharmas, and medical organizations allegedly looking out for the best interest of Americans and their health. This is not information one should attribute to "conspiracy theorists" or anything of the sort . . . I believe what I've learned is very real and the public is being conned and scammed on so many levels. I'm a smart person, I take nothing at face value, and I have to be presented some pretty compelling evidence to be convinced of something. And I am convinced that some of our greatest enemies are those who very much want us to believe they care, that they are looking out for us as a society. They are some of the most corrupt and deceitful people around.
Bear with me . . .
For instance, we're a preferential society to the government when we are weak and vulnerable and dumbed-down - it's easy to manipulate people who are not strong, not educated, not determined to think and act for themselves and ask questions and dissent when necessary.
The pharmaceuticals ONLY concern is bottom line profit$ - they now create disorders to match the drugs, as opposed to making drugs to treat disorders. Think about all the things Americans are led to believe - you have some acid indigestion, boom! you have GERD and you MUST take the little purple pill for the rest of your life. (Try drinking fresh lemon juice and baking soda mixed in water.) Look at all the commercials on tv for high blood pressure, cholesterol, osteoporosis, herpes, etc. And in every one, they push the latest trendy drug - but they aren't going to advertise natural ways to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, that exercise and Vit D and calcium and other things can help prevent bone loss, that lysine effectively treats herpes. They have convinced literally millions of Americans that they have ABC whatever acronymed disease and they MUST do what they are told. They have reshaped everyday life, they have taken what used to be normal health issues that may be easily resolved with time or with the use of natural alternatives and they have turned them into marketing and money-making opportunities - at the expense of people's bank accounts, but worse, their health and well-being.
And the information about doctors receiving lavish gifts and entertainment in exchange for drug-pushing is appalling.
Some of the medical organizations are nothing but scams, taking in literally millions upon hundreds of millions of dollars annually. But . . . follow the money trail . . . look at the links between these organizations' board of directors, lobbyists, and the big pharmas. There is a tremendous amount of disinformation coming from these organizations; they aren't promoting real cures nor do they want to "find" real cures - heart disease and especially cancer is big, big business for research facilities, pharmas, charities, and yes, doctors, who all profit greatly from disease and suffering of innocent people.
I'm not saying there is no place for conventional medicine and prescription drugs, not at all. But, the information out there, as well as what is just plainly obvious and common sense, is just too compelling, and I'm convinced. It's astounding how such a supposed intelligent and superior species can be so corrupt, so dysfunctional, so greedy.
Ok, so that leads to the sunscreen questions . . .
Not sure if the guidelines here allow posting actual links or I'd provide some. There are many articles which cite studies conducted during the past couple of decades.
Also not sure about pasting info from sites/articles, but I'll go ahead and post these segments from health author Mike Adams:
The idea that sunscreen prevents cancer is a myth. It's a myth promoted by a profit-seeking tag-team effort between the cancer industry and the sunscreen industry. The sunscreen industry makes money by selling lotion products that actually contain cancer-causing chemicals. It then donates a portion of that money to the cancer industry through non-profit groups like the American Cancer Society which, in turn, run heart-breaking public service ads urging people to use sunscreen to "prevent cancer."
The scientific evidence, however, shows quite clearly that sunscreen actually promotes cancer by blocking the body's absorption of ultraviolet radiation, which produces vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D, as recent studies have shown, prevents up to 77 of ALL cancers in women (breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors, multiple myeloma... you name it). Meanwhile, the toxic chemical ingredients used in most sunscreen products are actually carcinogenic and have never been safety tested or safety approved by the FDA. They get absorbed right through the skin (a porous organ that absorbs most substances it comes into contact with) and enter the bloodstream.
The next time you see some public service advertisement urging you to smother yourself and your children with sunscreen chemicals, think hard before taking action. Ask yourself these seven commonsense questions:
1) Is the sun really dangerous to humans? If so, how did humans survive for the last 350,000 years on planet Earth?
2) Have the chemicals used in sunscreen products ever been safety tested or approved by the FDA? (The answer is no.)
3) Who financially benefits when you keep buying and using sunscreen products?
4) What is the environmental impact of sunscreen chemicals washing off into the ocean, a lake, a swimming pool or being washed down the drain in your shower?
5) Sunscreen manufacturers say the skin doesn't absorb their chemicals. If that's true, then how do nicotine patches work? How do transdermal drugs get absorbed through the skin if sunscreen chemicals don't? (Answer: ALL these chemicals get absorbed through the skin. The skin is not selective about what it chooses to absorb.)
6) If the sun is so dangerous, then why is the vitamin generated by sunlight (vitamin D) so healthy for humans? Why would humans evolve a mechanism for generating a vitamin from sunlight if we weren't supposed to be exposed to sunlight in the first place?
7) If sunlight is so dangerous, then why is virtually every living creature on planet Earth dependent on sunlight for survival? Plants use sunlight to generate their nutrition, too, and most animals eat either plants or other animals that originally ate plants. Nearly all life on planet Earth is powered by sunlight. Why does the cancer industry believe sunlight causes death when, in reality, sunlight delivers life?
QUOTE (nightbird @ May 7 2008, 10:39 PM)
I've been learning a great deal about our government, the big pharmas, and medical organizations allegedly looking out for the best interest of Americans and their health. This is not information one should attribute to "conspiracy theorists" or anything of the sort . . . I believe what I've learned is very real and the public is being conned and scammed on so many levels. I'm a smart person, I take nothing at face value, and I have to be presented some pretty compelling evidence to be convinced of something. And I am convinced that some of our greatest enemies are those who very much want us to believe they care, that they are looking out for us as a society. They are some of the most corrupt and deceitful people around.
Bear with me . . .
For instance, we're a preferential society to the government when we are weak and vulnerable and dumbed-down - it's easy to manipulate people who are not strong, not educated, not determined to think and act for themselves and ask questions and dissent when necessary.
The pharmaceuticals ONLY concern is bottom line profit$ - they now create disorders to match the drugs, as opposed to making drugs to treat disorders. Think about all the things Americans are led to believe - you have some acid indigestion, boom! you have GERD and you MUST take the little purple pill for the rest of your life. (Try drinking fresh lemon juice and baking soda mixed in water.) Look at all the commercials on tv for high blood pressure, cholesterol, osteoporosis, herpes, etc. And in every one, they push the latest trendy drug - but they aren't going to advertise natural ways to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, that exercise and Vit D and calcium and other things can help prevent bone loss, that lysine effectively treats herpes. They have convinced literally millions of Americans that they have ABC whatever acronymed disease and they MUST do what they are told. They have reshaped everyday life, they have taken what used to be normal health issues that may be easily resolved with time or with the use of natural alternatives and they have turned them into marketing and money-making opportunities - at the expense of people's bank accounts, but worse, their health and well-being.
And the information about doctors receiving lavish gifts and entertainment in exchange for drug-pushing is appalling.
Some of the medical organizations are nothing but scams, taking in literally millions upon hundreds of millions of dollars annually. But . . . follow the money trail . . . look at the links between these organizations' board of directors, lobbyists, and the big pharmas. There is a tremendous amount of disinformation coming from these organizations; they aren't promoting real cures nor do they want to "find" real cures - heart disease and especially cancer is big, big business for research facilities, pharmas, charities, and yes, doctors, who all profit greatly from disease and suffering of innocent people.
I'm not saying there is no place for conventional medicine and prescription drugs, not at all. But, the information out there, as well as what is just plainly obvious and common sense, is just too compelling, and I'm convinced. It's astounding how such a supposed intelligent and superior species can be so corrupt, so dysfunctional, so greedy.
Ok, so that leads to the sunscreen questions . . .
Not sure if the guidelines here allow posting actual links or I'd provide some. There are many articles which cite studies conducted during the past couple of decades.
Also not sure about pasting info from sites/articles, but I'll go ahead and post these segments from health author Mike Adams:
The idea that sunscreen prevents cancer is a myth. It's a myth promoted by a profit-seeking tag-team effort between the cancer industry and the sunscreen industry. The sunscreen industry makes money by selling lotion products that actually contain cancer-causing chemicals. It then donates a portion of that money to the cancer industry through non-profit groups like the American Cancer Society which, in turn, run heart-breaking public service ads urging people to use sunscreen to "prevent cancer."
The scientific evidence, however, shows quite clearly that sunscreen actually promotes cancer by blocking the body's absorption of ultraviolet radiation, which produces vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D, as recent studies have shown, prevents up to 77 of ALL cancers in women (breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors, multiple myeloma... you name it). Meanwhile, the toxic chemical ingredients used in most sunscreen products are actually carcinogenic and have never been safety tested or safety approved by the FDA. They get absorbed right through the skin (a porous organ that absorbs most substances it comes into contact with) and enter the bloodstream.
The next time you see some public service advertisement urging you to smother yourself and your children with sunscreen chemicals, think hard before taking action. Ask yourself these seven commonsense questions:
1) Is the sun really dangerous to humans? If so, how did humans survive for the last 350,000 years on planet Earth?
2) Have the chemicals used in sunscreen products ever been safety tested or approved by the FDA? (The answer is no.)
3) Who financially benefits when you keep buying and using sunscreen products?
4) What is the environmental impact of sunscreen chemicals washing off into the ocean, a lake, a swimming pool or being washed down the drain in your shower?
5) Sunscreen manufacturers say the skin doesn't absorb their chemicals. If that's true, then how do nicotine patches work? How do transdermal drugs get absorbed through the skin if sunscreen chemicals don't? (Answer: ALL these chemicals get absorbed through the skin. The skin is not selective about what it chooses to absorb.)
6) If the sun is so dangerous, then why is the vitamin generated by sunlight (vitamin D) so healthy for humans? Why would humans evolve a mechanism for generating a vitamin from sunlight if we weren't supposed to be exposed to sunlight in the first place?
7) If sunlight is so dangerous, then why is virtually every living creature on planet Earth dependent on sunlight for survival? Plants use sunlight to generate their nutrition, too, and most animals eat either plants or other animals that originally ate plants. Nearly all life on planet Earth is powered by sunlight. Why does the cancer industry believe sunlight causes death when, in reality, sunlight delivers life?
Bear with me . . .
For instance, we're a preferential society to the government when we are weak and vulnerable and dumbed-down - it's easy to manipulate people who are not strong, not educated, not determined to think and act for themselves and ask questions and dissent when necessary.
The pharmaceuticals ONLY concern is bottom line profit$ - they now create disorders to match the drugs, as opposed to making drugs to treat disorders. Think about all the things Americans are led to believe - you have some acid indigestion, boom! you have GERD and you MUST take the little purple pill for the rest of your life. (Try drinking fresh lemon juice and baking soda mixed in water.) Look at all the commercials on tv for high blood pressure, cholesterol, osteoporosis, herpes, etc. And in every one, they push the latest trendy drug - but they aren't going to advertise natural ways to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, that exercise and Vit D and calcium and other things can help prevent bone loss, that lysine effectively treats herpes. They have convinced literally millions of Americans that they have ABC whatever acronymed disease and they MUST do what they are told. They have reshaped everyday life, they have taken what used to be normal health issues that may be easily resolved with time or with the use of natural alternatives and they have turned them into marketing and money-making opportunities - at the expense of people's bank accounts, but worse, their health and well-being.
And the information about doctors receiving lavish gifts and entertainment in exchange for drug-pushing is appalling.
Some of the medical organizations are nothing but scams, taking in literally millions upon hundreds of millions of dollars annually. But . . . follow the money trail . . . look at the links between these organizations' board of directors, lobbyists, and the big pharmas. There is a tremendous amount of disinformation coming from these organizations; they aren't promoting real cures nor do they want to "find" real cures - heart disease and especially cancer is big, big business for research facilities, pharmas, charities, and yes, doctors, who all profit greatly from disease and suffering of innocent people.
I'm not saying there is no place for conventional medicine and prescription drugs, not at all. But, the information out there, as well as what is just plainly obvious and common sense, is just too compelling, and I'm convinced. It's astounding how such a supposed intelligent and superior species can be so corrupt, so dysfunctional, so greedy.
Ok, so that leads to the sunscreen questions . . .
Not sure if the guidelines here allow posting actual links or I'd provide some. There are many articles which cite studies conducted during the past couple of decades.
Also not sure about pasting info from sites/articles, but I'll go ahead and post these segments from health author Mike Adams:
The idea that sunscreen prevents cancer is a myth. It's a myth promoted by a profit-seeking tag-team effort between the cancer industry and the sunscreen industry. The sunscreen industry makes money by selling lotion products that actually contain cancer-causing chemicals. It then donates a portion of that money to the cancer industry through non-profit groups like the American Cancer Society which, in turn, run heart-breaking public service ads urging people to use sunscreen to "prevent cancer."
The scientific evidence, however, shows quite clearly that sunscreen actually promotes cancer by blocking the body's absorption of ultraviolet radiation, which produces vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D, as recent studies have shown, prevents up to 77 of ALL cancers in women (breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors, multiple myeloma... you name it). Meanwhile, the toxic chemical ingredients used in most sunscreen products are actually carcinogenic and have never been safety tested or safety approved by the FDA. They get absorbed right through the skin (a porous organ that absorbs most substances it comes into contact with) and enter the bloodstream.
The next time you see some public service advertisement urging you to smother yourself and your children with sunscreen chemicals, think hard before taking action. Ask yourself these seven commonsense questions:
1) Is the sun really dangerous to humans? If so, how did humans survive for the last 350,000 years on planet Earth?
2) Have the chemicals used in sunscreen products ever been safety tested or approved by the FDA? (The answer is no.)
3) Who financially benefits when you keep buying and using sunscreen products?
4) What is the environmental impact of sunscreen chemicals washing off into the ocean, a lake, a swimming pool or being washed down the drain in your shower?
5) Sunscreen manufacturers say the skin doesn't absorb their chemicals. If that's true, then how do nicotine patches work? How do transdermal drugs get absorbed through the skin if sunscreen chemicals don't? (Answer: ALL these chemicals get absorbed through the skin. The skin is not selective about what it chooses to absorb.)
6) If the sun is so dangerous, then why is the vitamin generated by sunlight (vitamin D) so healthy for humans? Why would humans evolve a mechanism for generating a vitamin from sunlight if we weren't supposed to be exposed to sunlight in the first place?
7) If sunlight is so dangerous, then why is virtually every living creature on planet Earth dependent on sunlight for survival? Plants use sunlight to generate their nutrition, too, and most animals eat either plants or other animals that originally ate plants. Nearly all life on planet Earth is powered by sunlight. Why does the cancer industry believe sunlight causes death when, in reality, sunlight delivers life?
I'm not quite sure what to say after reading your answer but I have to admit, I would have to agree with you on a lot of it. Especially all those commercials about new medicines for our "ailments." It sure does make you think. My hubby always says "Listen to that long list of side-effects!" The "warning papers" you get along with your prescriptions are getting thicker and thicker! What's up with that?
[quote name='nightbird' date='May 7 2008, 11:39 PM' post='222223']
5) Sunscreen manufacturers say the skin doesn't absorb their chemicals. If that's true, then how do nicotine patches work? How do transdermal drugs get absorbed through the skin if sunscreen chemicals don't? (Answer: ALL these chemicals get absorbed through the skin. The skin is not selective about what it chooses to absorb.)
There are many cosmetic cream/lotions that do not or can not be absorbed into the skin, because they contain mineral oils, waxes, petroleum etc. These additives place a barrier on the skin. So it could be very possible that the chemicals are not entering the skin. Seeings that you can't find ingredient lists on sunscreens easily online, not sure what their base is.
5) Sunscreen manufacturers say the skin doesn't absorb their chemicals. If that's true, then how do nicotine patches work? How do transdermal drugs get absorbed through the skin if sunscreen chemicals don't? (Answer: ALL these chemicals get absorbed through the skin. The skin is not selective about what it chooses to absorb.)
There are many cosmetic cream/lotions that do not or can not be absorbed into the skin, because they contain mineral oils, waxes, petroleum etc. These additives place a barrier on the skin. So it could be very possible that the chemicals are not entering the skin. Seeings that you can't find ingredient lists on sunscreens easily online, not sure what their base is.
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