If you are over 40 or you spend a lot of time in the sun, you may have experienced them: the roundish brown flat spots on the skin commonly known as “sunspots.”

What causes these annoying blemishes, how can you treat them if you have them, and -most importantly - how can you prevent your skin from ever getting them in the first place?

If you are having a lot of “fun in the sun” this summer, then this article is a must-read!

What are Sunspots?

Sunspots are also known as age spots or, more scientifically, “solar lentigines.” They are also sometimes called “liver spots,” although they don’t have anything to do with the liver directly. They are extremely common in people over age 40, those who have light-colored skin, and those who spend a significant amount of time in the sun (or in tanning beds).

They are caused, as the name suggests, by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light ranges from 10 to 400 nanometers and is the most harmful kind of rays coming from the sun. UV light also kickstarts the extra production of a substance called melanin in the body. Melanin is primarily responsible for pigment and skin color. (1)

Some people may have a predisposition genetically to getting them as well, either due to skin pigment variations or different ways in which the body is able to handle excessive UV radiation. (2)

A greater risk of sunspots can also occur when hormones get out of balance, especially for women going through pregnancy or other hormonal changes, such as menopause. During these periods, or when hormones are off for other reasons, hyperpigmentation and a subsequent uptick in sunspot formation can happen.

Sunspots can occur anywhere on the body, but the most common areas are the hands, shoulders, arms, and face.

Why Do We REALLY Get Sunspots and What Do They Mean?

Sunspots are very common in today’s world, and most of them are benign and harmless (except for the annoyance and extra time it takes to cover them up).

That being said, could they also be a sign that something may be off health-wise, for your skin, and for your whole body? Furthermore, can the presence of sunspots be an indication of more serious matters like skin cancer down the road?

The answer, unfortunately, is yes on both counts.

Sun overexposure is the primary cause of sunspots, with the operative word being overexposure. Did you know that having five or more sunburns during your lifetime can not only increase your chances of getting sunspots but can also double your risk of melanoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation? (3)

In addition, environmental factors can play a part in sunspot development. When combined with sun overexposure, these factors can “turn up the heat” on the likelihood of developing these discolorations on your skin.

To recap, here are all the factors to consider that may up your risk of sunspots:

• Age
• Genetics
• Hormone imbalance
• Heavy toxic load
• Ongoing exposure to both environmental and ingested toxins
• Over-exposure to harsh weather, like extreme cold and wind
• How well your body processes and utilizes sun-blocking antioxidants like vitamin C
• Overall skin health
• Overall body health, including chronic diseases or other conditions

Four Ways to Prevent Sunspots Now

The good news is that there are so many easy things you can do right now to prevent and even heal sunspots! Here are my top four recommendations:

#1 Protect Your Skin From the Sun Naturally

The easiest and best way to avoid sunspots is to not overdo it in the sun. For most people, this generally means covering up in some way after 20 minutes of direct sun-to-skin exposure.

Not overdoing it doesn’t have to mean going home while everyone else stays at the beach. It can mean taking proactive measures, especially if you are over 40 and/or fair-skinned. Some tips include wearing a hat, putting on sunglasses, slipping on a light shirt or pants, moving into the shade, or putting on some safe, non-toxic sunscreen.

#2 Balance Your Hormones

As I mentioned earlier, there is a direct link between hormones and melanin production. Balancing your hormones ensures that just the right amount of melanin for your skin tone and constitution is being produced. For women, it is especially important to balance estrogen and progesterone. When these two are off, this can lead to hyperpigmentation, melasma, and dark spots. (4)

#3 Lessen Your Toxic Load

Toxic build-up in the body caused by environmental exposure (air, water, soil) and also via what we eat can cause a host of problems in the body. Toxins can tax the liver, disturb gut microbiome diversity, and increase systemic inflammation. Toxic overload can also lead to imbalanced hormones via xenoestrogens, which mimic the aggressive form of estrogen called estradiol. (5)

Taking measures to go “clean and green” in every way—with your diet, household products, skincare products, and more—can be a real game changer in lowering your risk of skin-related conditions, including sunspots!

#4 Up the Antioxidants - Both Inside and Out)

While you flush the bad stuff out, make sure you are bringing the good stuff in as well! When it comes to the skin, we are talking about protective substances that will strengthen the epidermis, boost hydration, and, most importantly, help your skin build up a supercharged defensive shield against the sun’s powerful UV rays.

In order to do that, you want to make sure that foods and also skin products that contain antioxidants are your top priority. Here is a quick (and very short) list of some of the top antioxidant foods to nourish your skin from the inside out:

• Kale
• Chocolate
• Walnuts
• Coffee
• Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Artichoke
• Berries
• Red pepper
• Sweet potatoes
• Red grapes
• Red wine

In addition, one of the most powerful natural antioxidant substances by far for protecting and nourishing the skin, both on the inside and on the surface of the skin, is vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is also absolutely essential for collagen synthesis. In fact, the body cannot make the collagen needed for new skin growth and tissue repair without it. Vitamin C is vital for both repairing and protecting the epidermis, as well as other layers of skin tissue. (6)

In addition to its important role in collagen production, recent studies have found that C can:

• Lower inflammation in the skin
• Help prevent acne
• Improve wound healing
• Improve the overall skin appearance and, most importantly, when it comes to sunspots
• Protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun

And it appears the vitamin C may be directly beneficial for lessening sunspots that have already formed as well. Research conducted in Japan and elsewhere confirms that vitamin C applied topically alone or in combination with magnesium, vitamin E, or ferulic acid is able to elicit dramatic improvement in the appearance of sunspots. (7)

Antioxidant-Rich, Skin-Protecting Substances to Strengthen Your Skin with CHARLÍS!

When it comes to powerful substances that can protect your skin from sun-related damage and also provide you with strong skin reinforcement, look no further than CHARLÍS!

Vitamin C's skin-protecting qualities are why we decided from the very beginning to infuse each of our formulas with the refreshing healing power of vitamin C-rich citrus.

Whether it's Organic Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil in the CHARLÍS Daily Facial Cleanser, or Organic Citrus Aurantium Bergamia, i.e., Bergamot, in our Nourishing Anti-Aging Toner, we’ve got you covered for made-in-nature UV protection wherever the summer takes you!

References:

1. Melanin
2. The Genetics of Sun Sensitivity in Humans
3. Skin Cancer Facts
4. Sex steroids regulate skin pigmentation through nonclassical membrane-bound receptors
5. Mixtures of xenoestrogens disrupt estradiol-induced non-genomic signaling and downstream functions in pituitary cells
6. National Institute of Health – Vitamin C
7. Inhibitory effect of magnesium l-ascorbyl-2-phosphate (VC-PMG) on melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo