How to Remove Brown Spots: Is Home Treatment Possible?

Brown spots, also known as age spots or age spots, are part of the natural aging process. These dark spots are harmless and most commonly appear in people over 50, especially people with fair skin, who are regularly exposed to the sun or brown with tanning beds. If brown spots bother you, you can use natural remedies to gradually fade them. On the other hand, you should see your doctor if the brown spots look ominous or home remedies aren’t working.

Table of Contents

Use lemon juice

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Apply lemon juice directly to the brown spots. Lemon juice contains an acid that helps to break down melanin pigment, so that dark spots will fade within 1-2 months. Vitamin C in lemon juice also has a bleaching effect on the skin. ^{[1] X Research Source} Cut lemon into slices and apply directly to brown spots. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, then rinse it off under running water.

Warning: Lemon juice will make your skin more susceptible to sunburn, so you should avoid direct sunlight or use SPF 30 sunscreen.

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Use lemon juice mixed with sugar. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bowl and mix in 2-4 tablespoons of sugar, slowly adding the sugar until the mixture has a paste-like texture.

Use a brush or cotton swab to dab the mixture onto each brown spot.
Leave the mixture on the skin for about half an hour, then rinse with cool water.
The mixture can be drying to the skin, so you should remember to moisturize your skin after each treatment.

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Mix the paste with honey, sugar, and lemon juice. Squeeze the juice of a lemon into a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of sugar (depending on the amount of lemon juice) and 2 tablespoons of honey to make a paste.

Use a brush or cotton swab to dab the mixture onto each brown spot.
Leave it on for half an hour, then wash it off with cool water.
Honey will provide moisture to protect the skin from drying out..

Using plant enzymes

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Learn about the effects of enzymes. Enzymes are the “workforce” in the biochemistry world. Enzymes transform substances without being depleted, similar to natural catalytic converters. Enzymes can help break down melanin into smaller and colorless parts. ^{[2] X Research Source}

The foods described here contain many different types of enzymes, but all fall under the category of proteolytic enzymes.
The proteolytic enzymes here include papain (in papaya), aspartic protease (in potatoes), and bromelain (in pineapple).

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Grate a potato and mix it with honey. Grate a medium-sized potato into a bowl (any white potato will work). Mix some honey in a bowl of grated potatoes to make a paste.

Apply the mixture to the brown spots.
Leave it on for about 15 minutes, then wash it off with cool water.

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Make a papaya mask. Ladle the flesh of the papaya into a bowl and mash it. You can use a blender to give the mixture a smooth texture.

Use a cotton swab or makeup brush to spread the mask over your face and any areas with brown spots.
Leave it on until the mask dries, then wash it off with cool water.

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Use pineapple juice or a pineapple mask. Pour some pineapple juice into a bowl (make sure it’s 100% pure, unsweetened pineapple juice, or make your own). Use a cotton swab to apply pineapple juice to the brown spots and leave it on until dry. Rinse with cool water.

You can also mash a few slices of pineapple and apply it to your face or any areas of your skin with brown spots. Leave it on until the mask dries, then wash it off with cool water.

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Try chickpeas. Cook ½ cup of chickpeas by measuring ¼ cup of beans and boiling with ½ cup of water. Cook until beans are tender (15 minutes if canned, and 1 hour dry), then remove pot from heat and let cool.

Grind the cooked beans into a powder when cooled.
Rub mashed beans over brown spots and let dry, then rinse with cool water.

Try other therapies

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Apply white yogurt directly to your face. As a dairy product, yogurt contains acids that help lighten dark spots. The probiotics in yogurt are also helpful, as they contain enzymes that can break down proteins like melanin. ^{[3] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Apply white yogurt on dark spots that need to be blurred.
Let the yogurt dry, then rinse with cool water.

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Mix yogurt with herbs. Some herbs can help yogurt remove spots on the skin. You can apply a mixture of yogurt and herbs to your face and other areas of skin with brown spots. Wait for the mixture to dry, then rinse with cool water. The following herbs contain antioxidants and bioflavonoids that lighten brown spots when combined with yogurt:

1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

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Try castor oil. Castor oil contains antioxidants that protect and brighten skin tone. Put a few drops of castor oil on a cotton swab and dab it on the brown spots. Let the oil seep into the skin and don’t need to rinse it off!

Tip: Castor oil can stain clothes and is difficult to remove, so you should be careful when applying it.

Know when to seek medical treatment

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See your doctor as soon as possible if the brown spot becomes darker or changes shape. While age spots appear normal and harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of skin cancer. In contrast to age spots, which usually stay the same, cancerous spots will darken and change shape, such as growing larger or uneven. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} You can identify potentially cancerous spots with the ABCDE rule, i.e. the first letters in English indicate the following symptoms:

A symmetric shape
B orders (uneven border)
C pors (various colors, such as many shades of brown, black or skin tone)
Diameter (large diameter (over 6mm) or variable)
E vpving (evolution, such as changing size, shape and color)

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Consider seeing a dermatologist to be sure to check for cancer. Anything related to health is better to be careful. Your dermatologist will examine your brown spots to make sure there is no cause for concern. In addition, your doctor can help you distinguish what is normal and what is not. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If you don’t know a dermatologist, ask your primary care doctor for a recommendation or do a search online yourself.

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Take a skin sample for biopsy. Your doctor will suggest trying a skin biopsy if they suspect a problem spot. You will be numbed to the area of the skin where the spots appear before taking a skin sample for a biopsy. The doctor will then use a scalpel to remove a small piece of skin and send it for testing to make sure the dark spot is benign. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

The process of taking a biopsy sample can be uncomfortable but not painful.

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Ask your doctor if a prescription bleaching cream is right for you. If over-the-counter bleaching creams don’t work, prescription creams may help. These creams can fade age spots for several months if used regularly. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

For example, your doctor may prescribe a bleaching cream called hydroquinone cream. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe retinoids and mild steroids in addition to hydroquinone cream to speed up the healing process.

Tip: While using a bleaching cream, be sure to use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 when outdoors, as your skin will be very sensitive to the sun.

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Talk about options for dealing with persistent aging spots if you’re really concerned. If home remedies don’t work and brown spots are bothersome, you can opt for treatments done in a dermatologist’s office. These methods will often be more effective than home remedies. Here are a few options for you to choose from: ^{[9] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Laser therapy or light therapy can fade brown spots, although it may take 2-3 sessions to see results.
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and break down the pigmentation of aging spots. This therapy is slightly uncomfortable and may leave a scar.
Dermabrasion or microdermabrasion is a procedure that removes the outermost layer of skin and can fade brown spots. However, you will need multiple sessions, and redness and scaling may occur.
Chemical peels are methods that remove the outermost layer of skin and replace it with new skin. With multiple treatments, this can fade age spots, but you may experience redness and discomfort.

Advice

One of the most effective cures is prevention! Brown spots are aggravated by exposure to sources of UV light, such as the sun or tanning beds. You should protect your skin with SPF 30 sunscreen and avoid tanning beds. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Remove makeup before trying any of these treatments. Wash skin thoroughly to remove any oils and lotions that may interfere with the treatment.

Warning

If you suspect a brown spot, don’t hesitate to visit your GP or dermatologist. If there is a cause for concern, early detection can make a big difference in treatment.
Remember to watch for unusual changes in the skin. Ask a loved one to examine areas of skin that you cannot see clearly, such as the skin on your back.

Steps