Liver spots or age spots are also commonly known as solar lentigo, freckles, or lentigo senils. However, they are mostly known as liver spots. These spots are more likely to develop in those who have problems with their liver. These aging spots will occur earlier than normal. These liver spots are small and brown flat patches located on the skin, looking like freckles. Age spots usually occur on the hands, face, neck, and chest as a person ages.

What Causes Liver Spots on Hands?

Common causes of liver spots or age spots are:

• Genetics – The genetic history plays an important role when it comes to the development of liver spots. If you have family members with a large number of liver spots on their skin, occurring earlier than normal, then you have an increased risk for liver spots as well.
• Aging – As mentioned, liver spots are a normal part of the aging process, usually appearing on the skin of the hands, but not only, as a person gets older. They are a result of an accumulation of higher amounts of melanin on the skin.
• UV rays due to sun exposure – Harmful UV rays of the sun is known to contribute to the development of age spots on the skin. When being exposed to the sun, these UV rays promote the formation of melanin from the human body. If there is extra melanin produced, the skin will turn darker after sun exposure.

Age spots or liver spots affect people with a lighter skin. Those who have a very fair skin have less melanin than those who have a darker skin. Melanin works to protect the skin from sun exposure, so people who have a lighter skin are more likely to develop these dark spots on the skin.

A good thing to know is that these liver spots are harmless. However, if you notice any change when it comes to the color, or appearance of these liver spots, then you should seek professional medical help and determine the nature of these changes. It is very important to rule out the cancerous nature of these skin changes. If, these changes at the end turn out to be cancerous skin changes, then proper treatment is very important.

How to Remove Liver Spots on Hands

First of all, it is important to diagnose the liver spots, before rushing to any treatment. A good thing is that they are not dangerous skin changes and getting rid of these liver spots is only for the cosmetic purpose. Various treatment procedures, creams, or solutions will help treat age spots on the skin, removing, fading, or clearing this dark skin spots.

Topical Products

Exfoliating lotions, solutions, and serums are one of the best topical products commonly used for the treatment of liver spots on hands and other body parts. You can either buy over-the-counter topical products or get prescribed topical products from your healthcare provider.

Removal Creams

Over-the-counter creams and lotions, commonly used for liver spot removals are quite effective. The majority of these creams are made of natural compounds, very safe to use. They work by lightening the visible dark spots on the hands and other body parts. However, before using any removal creams for the treatment of liver spots, you should consult a dermatologist. Regardless, that these are mostly natural products and safe to use, certain side effects can always occur.

If you have problems with liver spots on hands, but also on the face, neck, or chest then you should consider medical treatments such as:

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is a very effective treatment method when it comes to getting rid of age spots on the skin. However, these treatments are often expensive. Also, you should consult a dermatologist first to give you a green light for such treatment. One your doctor recommends you this type of treatment for your age spots on the skin, you should know that laser treatment works with laser beams directed onto the surface of the skin, where these spots appeared. Melanin will absorb the light energy, which will break up the pigment.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is another method which can help you get rid of liver spots. With the help of liquid nitrogen, freezing occurs. However, you should get checked by a dermatologist before undergoing cryotherapy treatment for this purpose.

Lemon Juice Scrub

Lemon juice scrub is a natural method which can help you get rid of age spots. Lemon juice is known to have bleaching properties which will make these dark spots on the skin disappear or fade. However, it is important to identify any changes on the skin immediately, as lemon juice scrub will work only as soon as these age spots start appearing.

The easiest way to use a lemon juice scrub is by rubbing the lemon directly to the affected area. Let the lemon juice work for about 30 minutes and then rinse it with lukewarm water. You can also mix lemon juice, olive oil, and sugar cubes as well. Once a paste is formed, after mixing these ingredients, you can apply this lemon scrub on the affected area, back and forth for about 10 minutes. Rinse the skin with lukewarm water afterward. You should repeat this procedure at least three times a day or more for better and quicker results.

Love Your Liver

The liver is an important organ in the human body with various functions. The main liver function is eliminating toxins and other waste products from the human body. If the liver does not function normally due to various reasons, then these waste products can’t be properly eliminated from the body. These toxins will then start accumulating leading to certain health problems.

These toxins start accumulating on the skin causing pimples, acne, or age spots. An improvement on the liver health is very important when it comes to preventing skin problems, including liver spots. A healthy liver means that body waste products will be correctly eliminated from the body. You can even consider taking liver supplements if you have problems with your normal liver function. These liver supplements will help you restore the normal liver function.

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure

If you want to prevent age spots from occurring, as well as, other skin conditions than you should avoid excessive sun exposure. It is well known that UV sun rays can damage the skin, making it age quicker as well. Sun exposure also increases the risk of skin cancer or precancerous skin conditions.