Worried about the uneven skin tone or those ugly dark spots that won’t disappear even after using all those medical creams and formulas? Well, worry no more. The pigmentation might show up in patches on your face, or it might appear on other parts of your body. These spots can appear for many reasons. It can be continuous skin exposure to the sun, freckles, acne marks, or infection from chemical treatments.
Your skin remains exposed to environmental factors, collecting dirt and debris, which might clog your pores, especially in people with oily skin. The good news is that you can get rid of the dark spots on skin with natural remedies. In this post, we are going to discuss the natural ways to treat dark skin spots on face.
Causes of Dark Spots on Skin
Dark spots occur because of the excess melanin production on some skin parts. Your eyes, hair, and skin get their color from melanin. These spots do not indicate an underlying medical condition, nor are they a cause of concern. But people may want to get them removed for cosmetic purposes. Dark spots can also occur due to aging. When you reach a certain age, your skin loses its elasticity. As a result, the dark spots might appear in patches on your neck, face,
and other parts of your skin. These are called age spots. Some people call it sunspots. Let’s check out the most common causes of dark skin spots.
- Sun Damage: Regular exposure to the sun for prolonged periods can cause sun damage, which might result in tanning and sun spots. Not only on the face, but these spots are pretty common in other areas of your body too. This includes your arms, legs, and parts that aren’t covered. White people or those with a history of sunburn are at higher risk of sunspots.
- Hormonal Change: Pregnant women might notice patches of dark skin on their face, arms, and other body parts. This is called melasma, a common skin condition that occurs due to changes in your hormones.
- Side Effects of Medication: These spots can also occur from the side effect of certain medications. It can be the pills or the topical that may not suit your skin type. It is, therefore, advisable to check a small patch of your skin with a new cream or lotion before applying it all over your face. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often the cause of dark skin patches.
- Diabetes: If you are diabetic, you might notice dark spots that look similar to the age spots. Diabetes can darken your skin color and can be the cause of your uneven skin tone. If you have suddenly started noticing dark skin patches, it’s best to see your doctor and get your blood sugar levels checked.
- A Skin Condition: Psoriasis, eczema, and acne are a few common skin conditions that can cause dark spots on your skin. Acne, especially, leaves marks. These conditions cause skin inflammation, which further results in darker skin. The patches can also form due to skin irritation, which occurs mostly because of cosmetic products or medication.
Symptoms of Dark Spots on Skin
As mentioned above, there’s nothing to worry about the dark spots, as these are only cosmetic issues. In most cases, the dark spots disappear on their own, but they might be permanent. Either way, they rarely indicate a medical emergency. Contact a healthcare specialist if the dark spots occur with other unusual symptoms. Some spots might be a sign of cancer.
- These spots on the skin can range from mild to dark in coloration. Depending on a person's skin tone, the hue of dark patches may vary. The patches cause no discomfort and have a smooth, natural feel.
- Dark spots vary in size and can appear on any portion of the body, but are particularly prevalent in sun-exposed areas.
- Dark spots are prevalent in the regions such as the back of the hands, face, and the shoulders.
- Spots that are only slightly darker than the surrounding skin typically fade away within a year, even on people with darker skin tones. Longer fading times are typical with darker colors. A spot may be a considerably darker brown than the person's actual skin color, but it most commonly appears blue or gray.
The good news is that dark spots can be lightened or removed completely without medication or cosmetic treatment. Natural remedies can do wonders for your uneven skin tone or these hideous patches that won’t disappear. The spots can be in light or dark colors, depending on the cause of the issue. These are oval-shaped.
You might notice the dark patches on the parts of your skin that are constantly exposed to the sun. Since the dark spot isn’t a big issue, it doesn’t produce any serious symptoms. They can be caused by free radical damage or aging. Whatever the cause is, if you spot dark skin patches, see a dermatologist. In the meantime, check out a few useful tips for eliminating these spots.
How to Remove Dark Spots on Skin?
See a dermatologist if these spots are affecting your personal and professional life or if they are too dark to be left unnoticed. A dermatologist will prescribe creams, lotions, serums, and other topicals to lighten these dark skin patches. If nothing works, your dermatologist might recommend less-invasive procedures to lighten these spots. They tend to work faster but are pretty expensive and can cause side effects. The doctor will recommend a suitable treatment plan based on these factors — the location of these spots, how severe they look, and their size.
Laser: The laser is the most expensive and promising cosmetic treatment for dark spots. It involves a tool that removes your skin layer-by-layer, fading the dark spots and revealing the skin beneath it. For pigmentation, your dermatologist might use an intense pulse light laser. Of course, a laser doesn’t come without side effects. You might experience scarring, bruising, swelling, inflammation, and tightness in the treated area.
Chemical Peels: Chemical peels produce the same results as laser, but instead of a tool, it involves salicylic acid and glycolic acid (the two chemical compounds that can eliminate the top layer of your skin). This will give you an even skin tone. The chemicals exfoliate your skin and stimulate new skin growth. Since the top layer is completely removed with chemical peels, this can cause skin irritation for a few days.
Microdermabrasion: This procedure removes the cells on your skin, giving you clear and spot-free skin. Microdermabrasion is comparatively less-riskier than other invasive methods mentioned above.
Topical Solutions: Usually, dermatologists start your treatment with topical, as most people find relief from these non-invasive treatment options. The doctor might recommend bleaching agents and skin whitening creams that might substantially reduce the appearance of the dark spots. The only issue, however, is that the topicals may take several months to show the results. These topicals contain hydroquinone — a compound that can lighten your skin by reducing the amount of melanin produced by your skin. This is only a temporary solution,
though. Long-term use of topical solutions can cause side effects and marks that might not fade.
While topicals can lighten your blemishes, sunspots, and dark spots to a great degree, they can’t eliminate them completely. If none of the above treatments work, you should try cryotherapy. Your dermatologist will apply liquid nitrogen to the dark skin patches, lightening these spots by freezing the cells. Your skin will heal automatically in a few days following the procedure, but it involves the risk of a permanent white patch on the skin.
Sometimes, skin darkening occurs because of a poor diet, vitamin deficiency, and a sedentary lifestyle. Below are a few notable home remedies that can treat dark black spots on skin.
Home Remedies for Dark Spots on Skin
No need to see a dermatologist. If your dark spots are caused by sun, acne, and aging, these home remedies can help. The only requirement is that you need to be consistent, as there’s no magical formula that can fade your dark spots overnight. Here’s how to remove dark spots on skin using natural ingredients.
1. Use Papaya as a Natural Exfoliator
Papaya is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, which can brighten your dull and dark skin. It works as a natural exfoliator. Like chemical exfoliants, this delicious fruit can naturally remove the top layer of your skin over time, giving you clear and supple skin. It also stimulates the production of new and healthy skin cells. Papaya is a great anti-aging fruit for all skin types, especially dry skin. In addition to anti-aging benefits, this vitamin-rich fruit eliminates dead skin cells. Regular use of papaya on your face can boost collagen production, removing dead skin cells and promoting new and healthy skin.
How to Use
â— Remove the seeds of papaya and blend it
â— Add a few drops of lemon juice and mix both ingredients well
â— Apply this mask to your face and massage gently in a circular motion
This will help remove the dead skin cells.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is our go-to ingredient for many health problems. Whether you have digestive issues or a skin problem, turmeric can help. The use of turmeric goes beyond your general health. This anti-inflammatory ingredient has been shown to offer many skin benefits. It reduces the production of melanin, which eventually reduces your risk of getting dark spots.
How to Use
â— Prepare a face mask by mixing one turmeric with equal parts honey
â— You can add a few drops of lemon (unless you have sensitive skin)
â— Apply the mask evenly on your face and keep it for 10-20 minutes
â— Wash your face with cold water.
Do it twice a week to fade your dark spots.
3. Almond Oil
Another natural ingredient that’s found in the kitchen and people’s skincare regimen is almond oil. However, the oil for skin use and cooking is different. For your skin use, the oil comes packed with vitamins and minerals that give your skin a youthful and radiant look. The oil consists of niacin and Vitamin E, which improve your skin complexion and reduce pigmentation.
The best part is that almond oil never clogs your skin pores, which is why it is a perfect addition to your night skincare routine. Use almond oil as a moisturizer and a makeup remover, and see its magical effects on your skin. Massage your face gently with almond oil before sleeping, and wake up with fresh, glowing, and clear skin. You need to use it daily (sometimes twice a day) to keep your skin nourished and hydrated.
4. Yogurt
You must already be using this natural ingredient in your skincare. If not yet, add this skin-whitening natural exfoliator to your skin care regimen and reap its healing and whitening properties. This works like papaya, except Yogurt contains lactic acid that has a soothing effect on your skin. Lactic acid is a great remedy for skin discoloration. If you have dark spots, no matter the cause, you should try yogurt on your face. The ingredient is safer and more effective than chemical exfoliators and natural ingredients mentioned in this list. Yogurt can improve
your pH balance and reduce inflammation and redness.
How to Use
â— Apply fresh yogurt alone on your face or mix it with other natural ingredients to create a thick paste.
â— Yogurt works well with honey. Both have skin-whitening and anti-inflammatory
properties that can improve your complexion and give you acne-free and smooth skin.
â— Create a yogurt face mask by mixing it with oatmeal. This will add a natural glow to your face.
â— Wash your face gently with cold water.
5. Aloe Vera Gel
This all-in-one herbal plant has many skin healing properties. It’s a great remedy for scarring, dark spots, acne, aging, and nearly all skin issues. When it comes to treating scars, you don’t just have to lighten the spots. You should make your skin strong enough to prevent the dirt and debris from clogging your pores. There’s less risk of scarring when you use aloe vera gel regularly.
Rich in antioxidants and water, aloe vera helps retain moisture in your skin, thus giving you a radiant and clear look throughout the day. Aloe vera can be used as a cleanser, toner, or moisturizer. You can also find pure aloe vera gels, but we highly recommend you extract the gel from a fresh aloe leaf.
Bottom Line
A secret to glowing and healthy skin is hydration. You need to keep your skin hydrated and nourished with natural ingredients rich in water and antioxidants. In addition to the above tips, you should take care of the basic skincare routine, such as applying sunscreen before going out or using a moisturizer before going to bed. Get rid of the dark spots with these healthy skincare tips. Hope it helps.
