Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Dark Spots On Your Skin

Aging with grace is easier said than done. Especially when you have to deal with one of the first signs of aging – dark spots. You will find them on all parts of the body that have been constantly exposed to the sun.

Sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging skin and dark spots. Several other factors contribute to the development of these spots. Would you like to know more about dark spots and how they can be treated naturally? Read on!

What Causes Dark Spots On The Skin?

Dark spots are often a result of hyperpigmentation. They occur when certain areas of your skin produce more melanin than the others. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, eyes, and hair their color.

• Several factors can contribute to the development of dark spots on the skin. They are:
• Sun damage – Dark flecks caused by sun damage are also called sunspots.
• Hormonal changes, which are especially evident during pregnancy.
• Certain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and psychotropic drugs.
• Inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, or a physical injury.
• Wounds from insect bites, burns, or cuts.
• Allergic response to allergens or cosmetic products.
• Diabetes

A few factors that can further increase a person’s risk of developing dark spots are listed below.

Risk Factors

• Increased exposure to the sun
• Pregnancy
• Skin conditions like acne or eczema
• Trauma to the skin
• Taking medications that are associated with increased pigmentation

Let us now understand the characteristics or symptoms of dark spots on the skin.

Symptoms Of Dark Spots On The Skin

Dark spots on the skin can be light to dark brown, depending on the skin tone of the affected person. These spots will be similar in texture to your skin and do not pain or protrude.

Such spots can vary in their size and may develop on any part of the body. However, most dark spots occur in areas that are constantly exposed to the sun like:

• The back of your hands
• Back
• Shoulders
• Chest
• Face

Lighter spots fade in a few months in persons with darker skin tones. However, deeper colored spots can take years to fade.

Although dark spots are rarely a medical concern, people get them removed due to cosmetic reasons.

If you visit a doctor to get these spots removed, they may recommend any of the following treatments for you.

How To Remove Dark Spots Medically

The common medical treatments prescribed for the removal of dark spots are:

• Laser treatment – An intense pulse light laser that targets melanin is used to break up the dark spots.
• Microdermabrasion – A special device with an abrasive surface is used to remove the outermost layer of the skin.
• Chemical peels – A chemical is applied topically to the skin, which exfoliates the surface to reveal new skin.
• Cryotherapy – Liquid nitrogen is applied to the spots to freeze them. This injures the skin, and subsequent healing reveals lighter skin.
• Prescription skin lightening creams that have a bleaching effect on the skin.

Most medical treatments for lightening dark spots are quite expensive. And topical skin lightening creams are associated with many unwanted side effects like uneven pigmentation.

Hence, many are now turning to natural alternatives to get rid of dark spots. There are several home remedies, like the ones mentioned below, which can help in lightening those stubborn spots.

Home Remedies For Dark Spots On The Skin

1. Tomato Juice

Tomato is a rich source of lycopene, which provides additional protection to your skin from the harmful UV radiation (1). These activities of tomato can help prevent dark spots caused by sun damage.

You Will Need

¼ glass of tomato juice

What You Have To Do

1. Drink around one-fourth of a glass of tomato juice daily.
2. Alternatively, you can add tomatoes to your salads and other dishes.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this daily.

2. Olive Oil

Olive oil exhibits protective effects on your skin when applied topically. It can prevent sun damage, which is one of the main causes of dark spots (2).

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of virgin olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply olive oil to the affected areas.
2. Allow it to dry.
3. Rinse it off if necessary.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

3. Nutmeg Essential Oil

Nutmeg has anti-photoaging effects that can protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun (3). It can, thus, also help with dark spots caused by sun damage.

You Will Need

• 2-3 drops of nutmeg essential oil
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Add two to three drops of nutmeg essential oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil.
2. Mix well and apply it to the affected skin.
3. Leave it on until it dries.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

4. Sandalwood Powder

Sandalwood possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties that can help in treating inflammatory skin conditions known to cause dark spots (4).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder
• Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Add a few drops of water to a teaspoon of sandalwood powder.
2. Mix well to form a paste.
3. Apply the sandalwood paste to the affected skin.
4. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

5. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is widely used to treat several inflammatory skin conditions known to cause dark spots, like pruritus and acne, due to its anti-inflammatory activities (5).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of powdered oats
• Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a tablespoon of powdered oats and add some water to it.
2. Mix well to form a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste to the affected body parts and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains aloin, an active component that causes melanin aggregation and helps in lightening dark spots or hyperpigmentation on the skin (6).

You Will Need

Freshly extracted aloe vera gel

What You Have To Do

1. Extract the gel from the aloe leaf.
2. Whisk the gel using a fork or spoon.
3. Apply it to the affected areas.
4. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

7. Lemon Peel Powder

Lemon (citrus) peel contains nobiletin, a tyrosine inhibitor that can help in lightening dark spots on the skin by inhibiting the production of melanin (7).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of powdered lemon peel
• Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Mix a teaspoon of powdered lemon peel with a few drops of water to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the dark spots on your skin and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse it off using plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

8. Cucumber

Cucumber has skin whitening properties that can be used to lighten dark spots (8).

You Will Need

½ cucumber

What You Have To Do

1. Blend the cucumber into a smooth paste.
2. Apply the paste to the affected area.
3. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off using some water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

Use any of a combination of these remedies to lighten dark spots. Here are a few tips that can help.

Tips To Prevent Dark Spots

• Use a sunscreen with SPF 40 or more while stepping out, even if the sun is not so bright.
• Avoid going out mid-afternoon, between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Wear full-length clothing while going outdoors during the day.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
• Treat any skin conditions, like acne and eczema, which may lead to scarring.

Follow these tips and remedies religiously to treat the dark spots on your skin and prevent them from worsening.

Hope this post addressed all your queries related to dark spots on the skin. Do you have any remedies or tips up your sleeve that have helped you deal with dark spots? Don’t forget to share them with us in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to see a doctor for dark spots?

If you notice the shape or size of the dark spots changing, see a doctor immediately. You must also see a doctor if the dark spots begin to bleed or sores begin to appear on them.

Can a dermatologist remove dark spots?

A dermatologist can suggest creams and procedures to help you get rid of the dark spots. Laser treatment, microdermabrasion, and cryotherapy are a few medical procedures used to treat dark spots on your skin.

Does vitamin C fade dark spots?

Yes, vitamin C can fade dark spots when applied topically due to its depigmenting properties, which reduce the production of melanin.

Why do we get dark spots on the skin?

One of the most common causes of developing dark spots on the skin is sun damage. Other causes include hormonal imbalance, certain prescription medications, inflammatory skin conditions, and any trauma to the skin.

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Author

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

Read full bio of Shaheen Naser