how to get rid of black spots
Natural Remedies to Remove Dark Spots
1. Apply Lemon Juice
Lemon juice's acidity acts like a bleaching agent and helps reduce discoloration on your face.1 Use a cotton ball or Q-tip to apply the juice onto your liver spots twice a day. It is a good idea to test this first on a small area of your face to see how your skin will react to the lemon juice. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend diluting the juice with a bit of water.
2. Use Aloe Vera Gel
The gel of the aloe vera plant is chock-full of antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and, E, which help to reduce brown spots and even out skin tone.2 Vitamin A speeds up your skin's natural shedding process, vitamin C brightens your complexion, and vitamin E renews the epidermis. Aloe works especially well if you have dark spots caused by sun exposure because the plant has been used for thousands of years to relieve sunburns.
You can buy 100% aloe vera gel at a health food store, but using gel directly from the plant is preferable. To do this, cut off a piece of an aloe vera leaf and split it in half. Carve out the jelly-like flesh and apply this directly onto your skin.
3. Yogurt or Buttermilk
These diary products contain high amounts of lactic acid, which lightens and exfoliates the skin. You can apply yogurt or buttermilk directly onto your skin like a mask and leave it on for 20 minutes before washing it off.3
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Rich in antioxidants and minerals, apple cider vinegar is a popular home product used for treating all sorts of ailments. Those with scarring and pigmentation swear by this simple remedy because the alpha hydroxy acid gets rid of dead skin cell.4
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. You can apply this over your entire face because it is pH balanced, so it acts as a toner. However, if you detest the smell, let the solution sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Topical Products That Reduce Dark Spots on Your Skin
1. Hydroquinone
There are a lot of topical treatments on the market that promise to get rid of dark spots. Choose one that contains hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that helps remove age spots and is safe to use on the skin. You can also use one that contains kojic acid, which has bleaching properties as well.
2. Retinoid
This is a potent manmade form of vitamin A, and it works by encouraging rapid cell-turnover. When old skin cells die, they make way for new skin growth. The idea is to shed the layer of skin with the dark spots so that new, unblemished skin can grow in its place. Retinoid also curbs the production of melanin (the pigment your skin produces that creates dark spots).
If you purchase over-the-counter treatments, the ingredient you will find is called "retinol," which is a vitamin A that naturally occurs in the skin. This form of vitamin A is not as potent as retinoid.5
Retinoids are prescription-only and fall under these three names:
- Tretinoin, including the brands Atralin, Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, and Renova
- Tazarotene, such as the brand Tazorac
- Adapalene, such as the brand Differin
These products are 100 times more potent than the retinol found over the counter.6
3. Salicylic Acid
You may have heard of salicylic acid being used to treat acne, but it can also be used to lighten dark spots. Salicylic acid works by causing the outermost layer of the skin to soften and then peel. This helps remove dead skin cells and allows new cells to surface.
4. Glycolic Acid
This is a an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) derived from sugar and works as a natural exfoliator, sloughing off dead skin to promote the growth of new skin cells. Dermatologists suggest using a product with at least 10% glycolic acid in order to see results.7
5. Medical Treatments
If you have the money and you want fast results, you can opt for medical treatments. Common treatments for dark spots include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser therapy. Chemical peel and microdermabrasion promote skin regeneration by removing the top layer of the skin. Laser therapy involves the use of different types of lasers that reduce accumulated melanin on a certain area. It is best to consult your doctor and ask about which treatment is best for your skin type
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