Many of the things that you have probably heard about the skin’s health and appearance were misleading. For example, most sources say that collagens are a primary component of the skin, but they are not a primary component of the epidermis, which is the part that we see. It is a primary component of the dermis, which lies between the epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue.

There are four or five layers of the epidermis, depending on which area of the body you are looking at. Making up those five layers are four different kinds of cells, but 95% of the cells are made of keratin, a different kind of protein that many people have never heard of.

The dermis is composed of two layers, elastin-fibers are only found in the deepest layer, alongside densely packed collagen-fibers. Loosely packed fibers of collagens are found in the other.

Collagens and elastins are sometimes found in anti-aging skincare products. But, if they were to prevent aging of skin and collagen and elastin loss, they would need to penetrate through the four of five layers of the epidermis, in order to get to the dermis. Elastins would need to penetrate through five or six layers. The whole idea is structurally impossible.

The long chained proteins are too large to penetrate through all of those layers, which is why cosmetic surgeons came up with the idea of injecting it. If they could be applied topically and provide benefit, then injections would be unnecessary.

The relationship between the appearance aging of skin and collagen and elastin damage is pretty well understood. When the fibers are damaged, they become less strong. The skin becomes less elastic and loses its ability to tighten back up after a weight loss.

The thickness of the subcutaneous tissue becomes thinner with age, having the same affect that a large weight loss would have. Add these together and you see more sagging. Wrinkles and fine lines may start to appear.

Most of the damage to the fibers is caused by free radicals, although chronic inflammation and stress can also do some damage. The body’s defenses against free radical damage are antioxidants, which can be applied topically. There are natural anti-inflammatories that can also be applied to the epidermis. Stress reduction is a different subject.

To address the aging of skin and collagen and elastin loss with antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories, you need to find a company that uses nanotechnology. Antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E will not penetrate through all six or seven layers without using the technology.

With creams containing amino acids, it is possible to stimulate the production of new cells, which increases thickness and reduces wrinkles. They also act as anti-inflammatories to fight the aging of skin and collagen and elastin damage. Those are the basics, but there’s always more to learn.

Dr. Valerie Rosenbaum is a dermatologist who specializes in aging of the skin. If you want to protect your skin from wrinkles and fine lines then click here to find out which natural skincare product line she uses and recommends to her patients. She has worked extensively in combatting the signs of aging through the use of natural ingredients that help the body repair itself. To learn more about protecting your skin from wrinkles and fine lines then visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com today to learn what she recommends.

One of the most popular ingredients is hydroquinone, not to be confused with ubiquinone. The names sound very similar, but the compounds have very little in common. Ubiquinone is the “official” name of coenzyme Q10. Hydroquinone is a chemical that inhibits melanin production.

Inhibiting melanin production makes it an effective ingredient, but not a safe one. It has been known to cause an allergic reaction that triggered the development of black bumps all over the face and body. It is a probable carcinogen (an agent that causes cancer) and it has been banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union. That may have prompted a German company to develop a safer compound.

Actually, the SYMRISE Company set out to make a lotion to reduce irritation; rashes, redness, itching, etc. Only later did they learn that their lotions were effective age spot faders, as well. The active ingredient is called Extra-pone Nut-grass or Motha Root. At a .5% concentration in a lotion it inhibits melanin production by 41.4%.

The only problem with inhibiting melanin production is that it will fade the surrounding area, too. This may be desirable for someone whose complexion is darker than they would prefer, but it would also make them more sensitive to sunlight and more susceptible to burning.

For the average person, age spot faders containing melanin inhibitors are probably unnecessary. On the other hand, everyone should be using creams that contain ubiquinone. Recent studies show that it repairs sun damage, reduces wrinkling and makes the skin softer.

Preparing ubiquinone in a manner that allows it to penetrate deeply has been challenging. But, some companies have found a way to do it. They have made use of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology reduces the size of the molecules of ubiquinone. A compound called NANOLIPOBELLE HEQ10 has been shown to penetrate through seven of the skin’s layers. That allows it to reach the dermal layer, where the collagen and elastin fibers are located. Regular use of creams containing it will repair damage done and prevent further damage from occurring by neutralizing harmful free radicals.

Another important ingredient for age spot faders and other anti-aging creams is an ingredient made by the KERATEC Company in New Zealand. You may have heard the name, if you have ever needed a “healing” lotion.

What the ingredient does is stimulate the skin’s natural reparative processes. It has been used to treat and heal contact dermatitis and other skin conditions. It is important for fading age spots, because it speeds up the cell turn-over rate. Newer lighter cells should start to appear in four weeks or less.

Nighttime calls for another ingredient. The nutrients in Shea butter are known to be effective age spot faders. It’s just that most companies do not use the highest quality of the cream. Shopping for high quality, safe and effective ingredients is easy, when you know what to look for.

Valerie Rosenbaum has deeply studied natural skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products should be clinically proven to be effective. Visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

Stay out of the Sun

Staying out of the sun is always step one, because the spot was most likely caused by UV rays from the sun. UV triggers the production of melanin. Melanin is actually a hormone responsible for the skin’s color. Sometimes, the melanin producing cells or melanocytes become damaged. So, instead of even production, you get “uneven” production and clumping. It’s not unlike a freckle.

If you protected the area completely from UV, it might start to lighten on its own, in eight weeks or so, but maybe not. It really depends on how much damage has been done to the melanocytes. But, regardless, the first step for how to fade age spots is to stay out of the sun. The best way to do that is to wear protective clothing, like a hat with a wide brim, or to use a sun block containing zinc oxide. Other sun-screening ingredients are not as effective.

Avoid Smoke and Pollution, if Possible

If the spot was not caused by the sun, the most likely cause was smoke or environmental pollutants. These things would not naturally trigger melanin production, but they can cause the production of free radicals, which can damage the melanocytes.

Free radicals can also lead to skin aging. People that smoke cigarettes look older and have more wrinkles than those who don’t. Not only are these two steps important for how to fade age spots, but they will also help insure that the spot does not return.

Check the Ingredients in Your Skincare Products

Petroleum based alcohols, such as ethanol, methanol, isopropyl and denatured alcohol, can cause hyper-pigmentation when applied directly to the skin. These are relatively common ingredients in cleansers, aftershave and some other health and beauty aids.

Use mild, all natural cleansers and moisturizers. The moisturizer that you choose could be the key step in how to fade age spots.

Use a Good Cream

There are a number of natural ingredients that even out pigmentation. If you want all-over whitening, look for cyperus rotundus extract. Don’t buy hydroquinone. It’s not safe, no matter what some sources say and it can make the problem worse.

If you simply want to even out pigmentation, follow the steps above and use a night cream that contains Shea butter, coenzyme Q10 and bioactive keratin. Each of these has been shown in separate studies to even out pigmentation, reduce brown spots and reverse sun damage.

In addition, these ingredients will improve firmness and moisture content. They will reduce wrinkles and sagging. They will improve your skin’s health, in many ways. If you haven’t always been as good to your skin as you could have been, it deserves some good treatment, for a change.

So, that’s how to fade age spots in four simple steps. Be patient, it will take a few weeks, but the effect should be permanent.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies anti aging skin care products and the ingredients used in them like Phytessence Wakame. She believes the best skin care products are clinically tested by independent labs. Visit http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

No matter your skin type, you should be using a moisturizer on your face and body every day, right after you shower. What’s the reason?

Showering strips away the skin’s natural moisturizers. Even plain tap water, without any cleanser strips away protective oils. Dry skin looks older and more wrinkled. If your moisturizer contains the right ingredients, it will even out pigmentation, reduce wrinkles and improver moisture content, as well as firmness.

If that sounds like more than you could expect, then you are used to cosmetic companies that make grandiose claims, without any real basis. But, you really can expect age spot lotions to de-age your skin. The latest research has proven it.

One of the ingredients that you must look for is coenzyme Q10, just be sure that it is natural COQ10 and not synthetic. Some scientists might argue, but there is no way that a synthetic nutrient could be as effective as a natural one.

Research has shown that coenzyme Q10 repairs sun damage and that’s what age spots actually are. They aren’t related to your liver or even how old you are. They are melanin clumps caused by overexposure to the sun.

When you are out in the sun, UV rays cause an overproduction and excitement of free radical molecules within the skin’s cells. Research has shown that levels of COQ10 are quickly depleted as the molecules try to neutralize the free radicals, before they can damage the skin cells and collagen fibers. But, if you continue to stay outdoors, without protection, they lose the battle.

Most age spot lotions do not repair free radical damage. They simply inhibit melanin production, which is why they lighten other areas of the skin. Creams containing a special formulated all natural coenzyme Q10 can repair free radical damage, as well as preventing further damage from occurring. They have been shown to reduce wrinkles, improve hydration and soften.

If all that you want to do is fade the spots, please be careful when you are shopping for age spot lotions. Many of them contain an ingredient called hydroquinone. Lots of sources will tell you that’s a safe ingredient. But, if it’s safe, why has it been banned from skincare products manufactured in the European Union? It has been banned, because it is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

A safer ingredient, that also inhibits melanin production, is a natural extract from a plant called cyperus rotundus, nut grass or Motha. Hopefully, you see that you have many choices, other than hydroquinone age spot lotions. Take my advice and shop for safe all natural ingredients. In the long run, you’ll be glad that you did.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies anti aging skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products are clinically tested by independent labs. Visit http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

Even though they are most often seen in older people, they really have nothing to do with age. Despite the fact that they are commonly referred to as liver spots, they have nothing to do with the health of your liver, either. They are really nothing more than adult freckles, caused by overexposure to the sun.

They are harmless, not indicative of skin cancer. But, the damage that causes them also plays a role in skin cancer. So, if you do see a sudden change in the color or size of a spot, you should report it to your doctor, immediately.

Using a home remedy for age spots will only be effective if you protect the affected area from sunlight. You can do that buy wearing protective clothing, such as a hat, if the spot is on your forehead or face. You can also use a zinc oxide sun-block, but those other sunscreen ingredients are not as effective. Some of them could actually increase your risk of skin cancer.

If you are a woman and the spot is on your face, choose a foundation that contains zinc oxide. There are several brands that contain it. The SPF rating of your makeup really doesn’t mean much. By the time that you are on your way home from work, any of them will have lost their effectiveness.

The only home remedy for age spots that is not a commercially manufactured product, but might be effective is fresh lemon juice. It is acidic enough to peel of the outer layer of skin. That may work, but it might also cause redness, itching and irritation. In order for it to work, you would need to dab it on the spot with a cotton-ball twice day. It will take about 6-8 weeks, but if you avoid exposure to the sun during that time, you should start to see it fade away.

Even a commercially produced home remedy for age spots will take 6-8 weeks to work, because that’s how long it takes for the outer layer of epidermis to be replaced. That’s right. Every couple of months, your outer layer of skin is completely replaced. Thousands of your skin cells are sloughed off every day. New ones are produced by specialized mother cells in the deepest layer of the epidermis.

In a young healthy person, it takes only 28 days for those new cells to reach the surface, but the process slows down greatly, with age. Now, if you are interested, there are some new anti-aging creams that can speed that process up again. Once you learn about that, you might not be interested in a home remedy for age spots and you might not ever need one again.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies natural skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products are clinically proven to be effective. Visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

That’s what scientist call them; oxygen species. Most often, we here them referred to as free radicals. They are actually oxygen (and sometimes nitrogen) molecules that have lost an electron. If an antioxidant like coenzyme Q10 is present, it will voluntarily give up one of its electrons. If not, the radical will become frenzied and start to damage the cells and fibers that are responsible for the skin’s strength, thickness and firmness. Eventually, this molecular damage results in visible wrinkling and sagging.

Overexposure to the sun causes overproduction of free radicals. So does exposure to things like cigarette smoke and air pollution. Those things can also cause hyper-pigmentation, in other words, age spots. So, if you want to eliminate age spots, you have to recognize the importance of free radicals and the role that the sun plays in producing them.

That doesn’t mean that you have to give up your love for the great outdoors. You just need to protect your skin. Don’t rely on those disappearing sunscreens to help. Some sun screening ingredients have been shown to cause damage similar to what is caused by free radicals.

Wear protective clothing, like a hat with a wide brim. If there are areas that you cannot protect with clothing, use a zinc oxide sun “block” and reapply it regularly. If you’re spending the day at the beach, invest in a beach umbrella. The shade is your friend if you want to really eliminate age spots.

What about those age spot removers that you see advertised on TV? Most of them contain hydroquinone. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it makes the problem worse. That may depend on how much time a person spends in the sun or it may be due to the chemical structure of the ingredient. An increased risk of skin cancer has been associated with hydroquinone. We don’t know if the risk is due to the chemical, itself, or to consumer misuse.

There are some completely safe and natural ingredients that have been shown to even out pigmentation and eliminate age spots. You could use a night cream that contains high quality Shea butter, for example.

Shea butter has a “healing quotient” due to the antioxidants and other nutrients that it contains. It is nearly identical to the natural moisturizer produced by the sebaceous glands within the skin. So, it is readily accepted and quickly absorbed without causing a greasy feeling. It has been said that Shea butter can literally transform the skin’s health and appearance, with regular use.

You might also look for a moisturizer that contains natural coenzyme Q10. It has been shown to reverse sun damage, even reversing wrinkles over the course of six weeks. Basically, nourishing ingredients and avoiding the sun will help you eliminate age spots faster and more effectively than any hydroquinone cream.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies anti aging skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products are clinically tested by independent labs. Visit http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Eliminate-Age-Spots—Simple,-Safe-and-Effective-Creams&id=2270545

The ingredient has been banned in several countries, because it may increase a person’s risk of cancer. It should have been banned years ago, because it can cause the opposite effect of increased pigmentation. Complaints about a hydroquinone face lotion to reduce age spots include darkening and too much lightening of the area. Obviously, the effect that it has cannot be controlled. It’s too unstable.

So, how can a face lotion reduce age spots safely and effectively? If it contains an extract from the cyperus rotundus root, a well-known medicinal plant among traditional healers, it can lighten and even out pigmentation, by inhibiting melanin production. But, if you like your skin’s color, other than the spot, beware. By inhibiting melanin production, it will lighten your skin’s tone. If you don’t want to be “whiter”, you might want to choose something else.

How can a face lotion reduce age spots without inhibiting melanin production? That’s a good question, since the spot is a melanin clump, similar to a freckle. Here’s the answer.

Creams that contain a proprietary ingredient called Cynergy TK have been shown to increase the production of superoxide dismutase and glutathione within the skin’s cells. These antioxidants will help reverse brown pigmentation caused by UV exposure or environmental pollutants.

You might also look for a face lotion to reduce age spots that contains coenzyme Q10. Another antioxidant, COQ10 has been shown in clinical studies to reverse sun damage. Sun damage is what caused that spot to appear in the first place. You probably spent too much time outside, without protection, either over the course of several years or during a single trip to the beach.

Can a face lotion reduce age spots without bleaching? If you are fair skinned, you will undoubtedly notice that you skin looks lighter. How much lighter depends on how much or how little time that you spend in the sun. If you are still thinking that a tan is attractive, consider this. Fair skinned people that spend enough time in the sun to acquire a tan have far more wrinkles than people that limit sun exposure.

Basically, you might not need a face lotion to reduce age spots if you had spent a little less time in the sun or you had made efforts to protect your skin. If you are saying, “Wait, but I always wore sunscreen.” That’s not surprising. Most sunscreens are actually ineffective. Only zinc oxide is truly effective and people don’t like it, because it doesn’t disappear.

So, can a face lotion reduce age spots, safely? Yes it can, as long as it contains the right ingredients. Read the label carefully, before you buy face lotion to reduce age spots. That’s the best advice.

Valerie Rosenbaum studies anti aging skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products are clinically tested by independent labs. Visit DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Hydroquinone-in-Face-Lotions-to-Reduce-Age-Spots-is-Not-Safe!&id=2270541

Nobody wants to see the appearance of brown age spots, any more than they want to see wrinkles or sagging. Luckily, we live in the time that we do. Scientists have shown us what compounds will effectively prevent and repair the signs of age. And, no matter where they are in the world, they are readily available for order over the internet.

One drawback to internet ordering is that some manufacturers do not completely disclose all of the ingredients included in the product. At least when you are shopping in a store you can easily read the label of ingredients, along with any warning labels. My advice is this.

Don’t order anything unless the manufacturer fully discloses all of the ingredients. If you don’t know anything about an ingredient, look it up at “Skin Deep”. That’s a cosmetic safety database created by the Environmental Working Group. The database can also tell you about whether or not the company conducts animal testing. They rank products strictly according to safety, not effectiveness, but people that use the product are able to write a review for it. So, it is very helpful.

An ingredient that is often recommended for fading brown age spots is hydroquinone. Skin Deep lists hydroquinone as a probable carcinogen; a cancer-causing agent. It’s also a common irritant and allergen. A safe alternative to hydroquinone is Extra-pone Motha Root Extract.

It’s a plant extract that acts to inhibit melanin production. The spot that you see is actually a melanin clump, something like a freckle, but usually larger. Melanin is produced by cells deep within the skin in response to UV radiation from the sun. But, as time goes by, those cells don’t work so well and that’s why you sometimes get brown age spots.

The Motha Root is found just about everywhere, it’s a very common weed. But, only a German manufacturer produces the extract for use in skincare products. Testing has shown that their formula inhibits melanin production by over 40% at a .5% concentration. How long does it take to work?

As a single ingredient, it could take some time. Inhibiting melanin production means that the new cells that are created that day will be lighter in color, but it takes time for them to work their way to the surface. It might only take 28 days if person is under the age of 30. For the over 40 crowd, it could take as long as 8 weeks. Luckily, there are other compounds that help speed up the process.

If you want to see brown age spots fade quickly, as fast as it would happen in a younger person, a compound called CYNERGY TK should help. CYNERGY TK contains the protein keratin. In its most active form, it has been shown to increase skin cell production by as much as 160%.

With those two ingredients, consumers have reported seeing a significant difference in just two weeks, depending on their level of sun exposure. The only thing that will fade brown age spots more quickly is laser treatment or freezing and that can cause scarring. Just remember to read about all of the ingredients in a product, before you buy anything.

Valerie Rosenbaum has deeply studied natural skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes people should only use products that are clinically proven to be effective. Visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and want to do something about it today.

If you’re looking for a hand cream for age spots, there are some things that you need to know. All of the products that are available on the internet are not safe. If you live in the US, the ones in your local drugstore might not be safe either. Reading the label of ingredients is the only way to be sure that you are getting something effective that will not do more harm than good.

Ingredients to Avoid

Hydroquinone is top on the list of ingredients to avoid. Its inclusion in cosmetics has been banned in the European Union, due to a cancer risk that may accompany its use. Not worried about cancer?

There is a possibility that using a cream containing hydroquinone will make the spot darker than it is today. It has been known to stimulate, rather than inhibit melanin production. That is likely due to the free radical damage that it causes, which is why it also increases a person’s cancer risk.

A very expensive hand cream for age spots contains hydroquinone and glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is the smallest of the alpha hydroxy acids. They have been recommended for everything from acne to wrinkle removal. The main effect that they have is to break down the hyaluronic acid bond that holds on the skin’s outermost layer. This is supposed to cause the spot to peel away.

It is highly unlikely that the spot is only on the surface. If it is and you avoid the sun, it will go away on its own in about 6 weeks time. That’s how long it normally takes for the skin’s natural rejuvenation processes to replace that outer layer.

A hand cream for age spots that contains glycolic acid and hydroquinone is very likely to cause increased pigmentation. It will also increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Obviously, these are not good choices.

Compounds to Look For

The root of the cyperus rotundus, a medicinal plant, has been used for centuries to relieve skin irritation and minor burns. Recent studies have shown that it also inhibits melanin production. Extracts from the plant can be found in some of the better “all natural” hand cream for age spots. There’s just one warning.

Anything that inhibits melanin production will lighten the entire area to which it is applied. Unless you want to lighten the color of your hands, you might want to look for a moisturizer that contains functional keratin and coenzyme Q10. They might not work as quickly as cyperus rotundus, but they should work.

Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, has been shown to reverse sun damage by over 30% after six weeks of use. Since the spot is essentially sun damage, it should work for that, too.

Functional Keratin is an anti-aging ingredient. Benefits that accompany the use of creams containing it include reduced wrinkling, improved firmness, reduced inflammation, improved moisture content and a reduction of brown spots caused by the sun or environmental pollutants.

It may be a little harder to find a hand cream for age spots that contains those ingredients, but if you want something safe and effective, you need to take the time to look for one.

Valerie Rosenbaum has deeply studied natural skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products should be clinically proven to be effective. Visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and would like some simple, natural solutions.

Most people are aware that overexposure to the sun contributes to the formation of cancerous growths. Some people are unaware that too much sun contributes to wrinkling, sagging and the formation of heavily pigmented areas that are generally referred to as age spots.

People that are concerned about too much sun exposure will usually take the time to protect their faces and other parts of their body, but most people pay little attention to the backs of their hands. Yet, their hands are exposed whenever they are doing anything outdoors, unless they wear gloves. Your best bet is to try to stay out of the sun for a while, while you begin to use a nourishing lotion that helps fade them.

To remove age spots on hands, US dermatologists are still recommending creams containing hydroquinone, even though its use for skin whitening has been banned by countries in the European Union. Hydroquinone is a common irritant and allergen that is a probable carcinogen. It contains benzene, which is known to cause cancer. There should be no reason to risk your health in order to improve your appearance and there isn’t. There are effective alternatives that are completely safe.

The way that hydroquinone worked to remove age spots on hands was to inhibit production of melanin, the element responsible for skin pigmentation. Melanin production is stimulated by repeated exposure to UV rays from the sun. Its production greatly increases when the skin is burned by the sun. The whole process is affected by age. It doesn’t seem to work quite as well. That is why protecting your hands from further sun exposure is so important.

If there is no way to completely avoid exposure, apply a sun block containing zinc oxide to the backs of your hands. Other sun-screening agents are less effective. Some of them, like avobenzone, are like hydroquinone, derived from benzene. Studies have shown that other sunscreens derived from benzene cause damage to DNA strands within the skin’s cells. That makes them probable carcinogens.

Once you have a plan for avoiding the sun, you can safely remove age spots on hands within six weeks. Many people report improvement within the first two weeks, depending on the lotion that they use. The most effective ingredients seem to be nut-grass root extract, the protein keratin and coenzyme Q10.

The use of a night cream, containing Shea butter, increases the effectiveness. By itself, high quality Shea butter has been known to remove age spots on hands in 4-6 weeks. So, it really depends on how fast you want to see a difference.

Nut-grass root extract inhibits melanin production, but without causing irritation. Coenzyme Q10 reverses sun damage. The protein keratin, in its most active form, stimulates the production of antioxidants within the skin.

These ingredients make up some of the best, most effective anti-aging creams on the market. They will work to remove age spots on hands, reduce wrinkles and improve firmness. It is possible to look as young as you feel, again.

Valerie Rosenbaum has deeply studied natural skin care products and the ingredients used in them. She believes the best skin care products should be clinically proven to be effective. Visit her website http://www.DefendYourSkin.com if you have fine lines, wrinkles or age spots and would like some simple, natural solutions that work.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Remove-Age-Spots-With-Chemicals-Banned-in-Europe?-What-Dermatologists-Dont-Share&id=2239083