Dark Spots
You have to be bit
extra careful about your skin, especially the skin on your face. Even a single
black spot could give you sleepless nights and make your face look dull. Did you
notice one of those flat and round spots on your face recently? They are black
or brown in color and are becoming difficult to hide, especially when you have
skin that is very fair. Dark spots as they are called are the result of melanin
precipitation in certain areas of your skin. These could be triggered due to too
much exposure to sun or even because you are genetically predisposed to it.
They generally start appearing after the age of fifty though youngsters too get
them due to over exposure to sun and other factors. Dark spots are not a skin
diseases or disorder and hence should not be dealt with at any cost. If you
worry too much, there are certain home remedies you can try out before you go
after false promises of skin specialists and medications who are out there only
to churn your money.
Dark spots on
the skin—also known as hyperpigmentation, age spots, or liver spots, depending
on their cause—can happen at any time, but most often appear in middle age.
Most often, they are a consequence of past sun exposure or artificial UV light
used in tanning beds. The spots are also associated with certain skin
conditions and can occur as a side effect of some medications as
well. Dark spots are generally harmless, but there are times when they
could be cancerous. They can be lightened or removed if you so desire.
SYMPTOMS
They are generally black or brown in color and they appear
on:-
Face
The back of the hands
Shoulder
Arms
REASONS OF DARK SPOTS
Dark spots are the result of
the overproduction or collection of melanin.
Exposure to UV light: Whether from the sun or from
an artificial source, such as tanning beds—is the most significant cause.
Hyperpigmentation often starts to take hold during middle age when the skin
starts to show the consequences of sun exposure, especially if sunscreen and
other sun-protective measures were not used. Those with light hair or skin, and
who have had severe and/or many sunburns are at particular risk.
Skin Conditions: There are several different skin conditions
and diseases that can cause dark spots and areas, though these are not the
same as age-related dark spots. They include:
- Post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Skin discoloration following an inflammatory
lesion, like acne
- Melasma: Also known as pregnancy mask
- Linea nigra: A dark, vertical line that appears lengthwise
down the middle of the abdomen during pregnancy
- Chloasma: Darkened skin due to hormonal changes
- Riehl's Melanosis: A form of contact dermatitis that's believed to
be caused by sun exposure
- Poikiloderma of Civatte: A benign condition that turns parts of the neck a
reddish-brown color
- Erythromelanosis follicularis: A condition that's characterized by reddish-brown
pigmentation of the face and neck
Other Causes
Pregnancy
Liver disease
Addison's disease
Hemochromatosis (excessive iron)
Pituitary tumors
HOME REMEDIES FOR
REMOVING DARK SPOT
1. Lemon Juice: - A simple and effective remedy in treating
dark spots, lemon juice can be applied on your dark spots. Allow the juice to
dry naturally and leave it on for half an hour. Lemon is a natural exfoliating
agent and a bleach and helps in removing the top layers of skin and lightens
the skin, thereby preventing your dark spots from being seen. Apply lemon juice
for at least 2 months for getting good results.
2. Onion Treatment: -
Onion is known for its skin lightening properties. Take a slice of red onion
and rub on the dark spots. The juice of onion will impart its bleaching action
and help lighten the dark spots considerably. Onion is also an exfoliating
agent and will help in removing the surface layers of skin to reveal the new
and clearer skin underneath. Apply onion two times a day and leave it on
without washing
3. Mixed Juices: - Certain juices that are acidic in nature can
be used as an exfoliating and bleaching agent for lightening and sloughing off
the dry and damaged layers of skin on the face. For making a mixed solution of
juices, take one part orange juice and two parts apple cider vinegar and mix
well. Apply this on the dark spots for a great peeling and bleaching treatment.
Instead of orange juice, lemon juice too can be used for this treatment with
the same effect
4. Dandelion Remedy: - Dandelion sap can be used for
treating dark spots effectively. Pluck a dandelion and apply the sap that is
oozing from the stem on your dark spots. Continue this treatment until your
dark spots are visibly lightened and cannot be seen anymore.
5. Aloe Vera Treatment: - Aloe Vera gel, a naturally
occurring plant enzyme too has wonderful skin reviving properties and can be
used for treating dark spots. Pluck an Aloe Vera leaf and dab it directly on
the dark spots every day. Continue doing it and feel your skin evolving into a
fresh and glowing texture within days, along with removal of dark spots almost
completely. But people have much sensitive skin should not use it because it is
harsh for them.
6. Vitamin E Oil: - Being an antioxidant, vitamin E helps in
skin discolorations and fading dark spots and other blemishes on the skin.
Massage vitamin E every day on the skin for great results.A pure form of vitamin
E can be used for this treatment in order to take the best benefit from this remedy.
Applying vitamin E every day on your skin will also help in preventing dark
spots.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide:-Hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient
in all bleaching creams and products that you find in the market. It can be got
from drug stores. Application of hydrogen peroxide directly on the dark spots
will help in lightening them and removing them completely.
8. Lactic Acid:-z Lactic acid is a skin bleaching as well as
exfoliating agent. Buttermilk which contains lactic acid can be used for treating
dark spots. Apply on the dark spots twice daily. With frequent application, the
top layer of the skin will be removed, along with the dark spots and the spots
start fading with every application.
9. Glycerin:- Dark spots can be treated with glycerin as
well, as glycerin can rejuvenate the skin back to its original texture. Creams with
a glycerin base can be used for treating dark spots. Alternately, for preparing
a cream to fade away your dark spots, get glycerin from the drug store. Take an herbal cream that suits your skin
well and add a few drops of glycerin into it. Mix it well into the cream and
use the cream every day for lightening the dark spots.
10. Buttermilk and Honey:- Mix buttermilk along with honey
to form a thick paste and apply on the dark spots. Leave it for about 15
minutes before washing it off to remove the dead skin cells that were
accumulated on top. You can use a mild cleansing solution for removing the dead
cells.
SOME COSMETICS TO
PREVENT DARK SPOTS
1.
Sunscreen Lotion:- A good sunscreen lotion with
an SPF of 15 is all you need to prevent dark spots. Sunscreen must be used
whenever you are out to protect your skin from further attacks of dark spots.
Sunscreen will not only protect you from dark spots, but also from the harmful
effects of UV rays which can even cause sunburns and skin cancer.
2.
Use creams: - You can also use some creams to
lighten the dark spots such as Gainer light complete serum, Fair and lovely for
men and Olay 7 in 1. You can choose different creams according to your skin.
You can also use medical cream known as
Deriva CMS. But it acts in reverse process. First of all pimples are formed at
the place of dark spot and then after that both pimples and dark sots are
removed. This process can take upto 5 months.
0 Comments