Dark spots on the face are something that nobody wants, men and women alike. The reasons are numerous. It could be due to old scars, scarring, acne spots and even hyperpigmentation. Imagine you have a glowing face and those dark spots on the radiance, it makes it all the worse. So, you need to know that acne and dark spots are not new. Women especially have been dealing with this forever. Now if you are willing to remove dark spots on face, natural home remedies are something that will always come to your rescue.
In this article, we will delve into the details of what triggers dark spots and how you can naturally heal them. Let’s take baby steps and know in detail.
What causes dark spots on the face?
Also known as hyperpigmentation, dark spots occur on your face when the melanin underneath your skin is produced more. Different causes lead to dark spots on the face. Some of the ones are mentioned as follows –
Sun Exposure
Also known as sun spots, if you are exposed to tanning or directly exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun, you are more likely to develop dark spots on your skin, especially on your face, hands and neck.
Hormonal Changes
A skin condition known as melasma leads to small patches on your skin. This leads to skin discoloration. According to studies and research, it is more common in women, especially those who are pregnant.
Medicinal Side Effects
Drugs like tetracyclines, psychotropic drugs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the main culprits for medicinal side effects. If you are intaking any of the above or more, it may lead to skin pigmentation followed by dark spots on the face.
Inflammation
Dark spots could occur after you have faced any sort of inflammation on your skin. It could be due to many reasons including skin injury, acne, pimple, eczema and even psoriasis.
Wounds
Dark spots sustain even after an insect bite, injury, burn or even during the time of healing your wounds. It does not persist for long but major ones lead to dark spots and scarring.
Irritation
Using products that may not suit your skin may lead to allergic reactions causing irritation and inflammation. The result is dark spots on your skin.
Diabetes
It is one of the chronic issues that tend to make your skin darker. Acanthosis nigricans is a condition connected with diabetes that causes the skin to darken. Often people confuse it with age spots.
What is the fastest way to get rid of dark spots on your face?
There are different ways that you can opt to get rid of dark spots on your face. There are ample home remedies that work wonders in two days to remove dark spots on face. Here are some as follows –
Turmeric
Known for its medicinal and healing properties, turmeric has been used in its historical era. Adding two tbsp of turmeric with 1 tbsp of honey will fasten the process. You may even add lime juice for faster results.
Apply it as a mask on the affected area of your face for half an hour and rinse with lukewarm water. Make sure that you are not using lime juice if you have sensitive skin.
Tomatoes
Rich in lycopene, tomatoes can work wonders for getting rid of dark spots on the face faster. It works as a natural sunscreen in your wash. All you need to do is squash a tomato and gently massage the juice on your face.
You may apply this before stepping out of your home. If you feel it to be sticky, you may apply it like a face mask for half an hour and rinse with cold water. It works as a dark spot lightening process.
Papaya
Rich in its medicinal properties, papaya helps in fighting dark spots, premature ageing as well as dry skin. It works as a gentle exfoliator and does have AHAs that help in removing dark spots.
All you have to do is mash a ripe papaya and apply it like a mask on your face. Massage it in a circular motion. Let it dry and rinse with cold water or pat dry with a gentle damp cloth.
Buttermilk
The presence of lactic acid in buttermilk helps in removing dead skin cells. It helps in lightening dark spots. Apply the buttermilk on your face directly or on the affected areas with the help of cotton.
Let it sit for 20 min. Rise it with cold water and then see the results.
What can I use to remove dark spots on my face?
There are different treatments that you may opt for to remove dark spots on face. If you are looking for topical treatments, there are over-the-counter products that help in removing dark spots. Such medication typically has the following ingredients to lighten dark spots –
Kojic acid
Azelaic acid
Vitamin C
Chemical exfoliants
Retinoids
Products with the above ingredients in them will also have a process. It is better to seek the recommendation of your dermatologist before the application of the product or topical medication. Here are some of the most recommended ingredients –
Hydroquinone
It works best for hyperpigmentation. It reduces the excess production of melanin. It does come up with its set of side effects too. It may cause skin irritation or lighten other parts of the skin, especially the surrounding dark spot area.
Kojic Acid
Another popular treatment for hyperpigmentation, kojic acid is a time-consuming treatment. Though it does not work as well as hydroquinone it also has its set of cons. This includes irritation to sensitive skin.
Retinoids
You may even add this to your nighttime skincare routine. It helps in the development of new skin cells. It does not apply to pregnant ladies or new mothers.
If topical treatments are something that you do not want to go with, you may take up cosmetic procedures to treat dark spots on your face. Some of the best options include –
Laser Therapy
The dermatologist will be using a beam of light targeting the dark spot areas of your skin. Now, you need to know, it may not be fruitful for all. A patch test is a must.
Chemical Peels
Professional peels have a stronger version of OTC acid exfoliants. The stronger peels work on deeper layers of the skin. It does take time for recovery though.
Microdermabrasion
It is also an exfoliating treatment that makes use of miniscule particles for removing dead skin cells. The recovery period is unknown but it does tend to make your skin swollen for a short period.
Home remedies for dark spots on the face
Rather than opting for expensive and topical treatment, you may easily go for home remedies that will work wonders for removing dark spots on your face. We have jotted the best ways that will be a blessing in disguise for your skin.
Aloe Vera
We can call it the jack of all trades. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help in getting rid of dark spots easily. You may apply the juice or the gel directly to your face.
What do you need?
- Aloe vera leaf
- Water
- Cucumber and lemon juice
- 1 tsp of sandalwood powder
How to apply?
- Extract the gel from the leaf.
- Add some cucumber and lemon juice to it along with 1 tsp of sandalwood powder.
- Mix it into a thick paste.
- Apply it to your face like a mask and leave for 20 min to dry.
- Rinse it with cold water.
It will have a soothing effect on your skin and you will be able to see the visible difference right from the first use.
Milk
Raw milk has ample benefits. It helps in skin healing, removing tans, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and even removing spots. It has vitamin B, calcium, hydroxy acids and antioxidants to showcase the best results.
What do you need?
- Raw Milk
- Honey
- Indian Clay
How to apply?
- Mix 2 tbsp of raw milk, and 1 tsp of Indian clay and honey for additional skin benefits.
- Apply the mixture to your face. Let it sit for half an hour.
- Rinse it well with cold water.
Green Tea
Rich in antioxidants, green tea helps in removing dark spots and enhancing skin tone. It also removes other toxins from your body and makes your skin naturally radiant.
What do you need?
- Green tea bag
- Water
How to apply?
- Make sure that the tea bag is soaked in warm water or boiling water for some time.
- Let it cool.
- Apply it all over your face. Let it sit for some time.
- Wash with cold water.
Tea Tree Oil
It has antiviral and antiseptic properties. It helps in faster healing and preventing blemishes and treating dark spots. It further removes dark spots faster, mostly in 2 days.
What do you need?
- Carrier oil of your choice
- 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
How to apply?
- Mix 1-2 drops of tea tree oil with the choice of carrier oil (Coconut, almond or virgin olive oil)
- Apply it to the affected areas of your face.
- Let it sit overnight and wash your face the next morning.
Lemon Juice
It is rich in Vitamin C and citric acid. Works as an ideal solution, it should not be directly applied to sensitive skin.
What do you need?
- Honey
- Lemon Juice
- Cotton Ball
How to apply?
- Mix lemon juice and honey in a 2:1 ratio.
- With the help of a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the dark spots on your face.
- Let it sit for 15 min.
- Rinse with cold water. Do not apply soap.
Potatoes
It works as an exfoliating agent for removing dead skin cells. Furthermore, it is rich in Vitamin B6, vitamin C, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and other vital vitamins and minerals. It further helps in regenerating collagen production.
What do you need?
- Potato Slices
- Clea Cloth
How to apply?
- Take a potato. Slice it into small pieces and apply it to the dark spots of your face.
- Lay them on your skin for some time.
- The best option is to use it at night. It will remove the spots in 2 days.
Cucumber
It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and silica-rich compounds. They help in reducing hyperpigmentation in your skin and face.
What do you need?
- Cucumber
- Honey
How to apply?
- Finely chop cucumbers and blend them.
- Make a paste and add 1 tsp of honey for more moisture. Apply it to your face.
- Leave it for half an hour. Rinse with cold water.
Yoghurt
It helps in fading dark spots through deep exfoliation. It enhances your skin texture, and skin tone as well as helps in reducing inflammation. You may combine it with different things for the best results.
What do you need?
- Yoghurt
- Honey
- Oatmeal
How to apply?
- You can simply apply yoghurt on your face or the dark spots for 15 mins.
- Mix oatmeal, honey and yoghurt to form a good paste and apply it as a mask for 15 mins.
- Let it sit in, then rinse with cold water.
Conclusion
There are ample remedies that you can opt for to remove stubborn dark spots. It is better to do a patch test to make sure that you are not allergic to any ingredient. If you are facing any such issue, rinse off the mixture and stop using it immediately. You may even seek the help of your dermatologist. Most of the home remedies are soothing for your skin and will work wonders when it comes to showcasing faster results.