Home Remedies for Melasma and Age Spots

As we age, our skin develops what is commonly called "age spots," which resemble small freckles visible on the hands, arms and face. A Melasma is also considered an age spot, but this particular condition appears as a larger patch of dark skin. Both age spots and Melasmas can be treated with the same home remedies, and for a fraction of the cost of over-the-counter products you can purchase at beauty counters in department stores.

Vinegar Treatments

• Dilute one half cup of white vinegar with one half cup of water and wash your face with the solution. This acts as an astringent, cleansing and brightening the skin. Rinse off with cool water after a few minutes but do not towel-dry the face. Air-drying the face will allow the solution to soak into the pores, moisturizing and lightening the discolored areas. This process is safe to use daily and is very inexpensive. The only downside to this treatment is the odor from the vinegar.

Onion Treatment

• Put an onion in a food processor or blender and puree the onion until there is a good amount of onion juice. Combine the onion juice with an equal amount of white vinegar, and soak a cotton ball or tissue in the solution. Swab the discolored area of skin twice a day and save the extra solution for the next treatment. Do not rinse off the onion/vinegar solution and leave the skin to air-dry. Repeat the process for a few weeks and you will see the dark splotches begin to lighten. This treatment, however, will leave you smelling like onions, so it would be wise to apply the solution when you do not need to be out in public.

Lemon Treatment

• Squeeze the juice of one lemon and apply the juice directly to the discolored skin with either a cotton ball or a tissue. Repeat the process twice a day and leave the juice on the skin to air-dry. Lemon is very acidic and with continued applications will cause the skin spots to scab up and peel off, leaving new skin.