There are a number of safe, natural remedies that you can try

If you had to guess what part of your body shows your age the most, what would you say?

Your eyes? Your forehead? Hair color? Lips?

The answer is none of the above. Believe it or not, it’s your hands that give it all away.

Youthful hands are taut, smooth and free of brown discolorations known as “age spots” or “liver spots.”

These discolorations are caused by UV (ultraviolet) light from the sun. The light stimulates the production of melanin in your body; the same thing that allows your skin to tan. But in this case, the melanin pools in certain areas … like your hands. And this is what causes these unsightly age spots.

And while they’re harmless, they can be embarrassing and annoying. But there are ways to get rid of these little spots for more youthful looking hands.

Some common methods include skin bleaching and other chemical procedures. But these can cause serious health problems. You’ll probably want to stay away from these artificial methods of treatment as the chemicals in the products can seep into your skin and cause hormone imbalances. Plus, many skin-bleaching products are known to include mercury, which can cause kidney failure over time.

Thankfully, there are a number of safe, natural remedies that you can try like:

1. Aloe vera. It’s one of the most effective and versatile plants in the world. And it can treat all types of skin ailments from sunburns to age spots. Fresh is always best when it comes to aloe, so you may want to purchase a plant to keep in your home for easy access to the gel.

Simply break the aloe leaf and rub the gel on the affected area of your hands twice a day for at least a month. Be sure to leave it on your skin for at least 45 minutes before washing your hands.

2. Castor oil. This has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. But the benefits of this oil don’t stop there; castor oil also can help fade the age spots on your hands. (And the best part is, you don’t have to drink it!)

Simply apply the castor oil with a cotton swab on the affected area when you first wake up and then once more right

before you go to bed. Be gentle and use circular motions when applying. You should notice the spots beginning to disappear within a month of use.

3. Dandelion stems. You might think this weed is a pest when it’s growing in your front yard, but the sap of this little yellow flower can help the age spots on your hands become a thing of the past.

There are several ways dandelions can be used to treat age spots:

• Break the stem and rub the sap on the affected area 2-3 times a day
• Eat 3 dandelion leaves a day to minimize your age spots from the inside out
• Add the sap to natural cosmetic products like hand lotion and apply as needed to help soften your hands and lighten your age spots

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,
Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C
[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner for Dr. Sears’ Center for Health & Wellness in Royal Palm Beach, FL. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching, and family practice. Tara is conducting research trials into novel ways of naturally boosting HGH and working on a new book, on anti-aging for women.]