Dark spots can appear on your face when the skin becomes damaged.
The damage will cause the skin to produce an extra amount of melanin, making a specific patch of skin look darker than the surrounding area.
The main causes for dark spots on your face include hormonal imbalances, excessive sun exposure and also scarring caused by acne.
What Causes Dark Spots?
Hormonal imbalances that cause skin discoloration are often associated with pregnancy, which can trigger over-pigmentation of the skin cells.
Excessive sun exposure can also cause the skin to begin producing an excess amount of melanin, in order to protect itself from ultra violet rays.
As people age, they become more prone to getting dark spots on their face because the skin cells don’t reproduce as well, making it more difficult for the skin to eliminate any damaged areas.
These dark spots are known as age or liver spots, however they don't really have anything to do with your liver.
This name comes from a time when they were mistakenly believed to be caused by liver problems.
Most of these spots are harmless, however you should always seek medical advice when you have any changes in your skin. Just in case there is an underlying issue.
Scars left behind by acne lesions, know as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH, are also common and it can take several months for the discoloration to fade.
Home Treatments for Dark Spots
Applying sunscreen every time you go outdoors can help to prevent skin discoloration. Apply the sunscreen liberally on the face and other areas of exposed skin, fifteen to thirty minutes before heading outdoors. Be sure to use a brand that contains zinc oxide for added protection.
Castor oil can work to bleach dark skin spots. Apply castor oil to the skin daily to affected areas.
Green tea extract when applied to the skin will provide you with plenty of antioxidants, which in turn can help to remove toxins. Green tea can also help to promote new collagen growth.
Use whole milk as a remedy for skin discoloration. Apply the milk to areas of discolored skin, leaving it on for fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing it off. Use this remedy twice daily for four to six weeks.
Horseradish, honey, pineapple, papaya, potato, tomato or turmeric can also be used to fade age spots. Leave these products on for ten minutes to help lighten the skin.
Sandalwood can work wonders on your skin. Make a paste using sandalwood powder mixed with glycerin and apply it to the affected areas. You can also add milk or honey to the mixture.
Create a facial scrub using brown sugar and honey. Use this mixture to exfoliate the skin two to three times a week, which will work to remove the buildup of dead skin cells.
Cosmetic Procedures for Dark Spots
Laser therapy is commonly used to treat different types of scars, including sun spots.
For this procedure a laser will penetrate the skin and an ultra violet light will be absorbed by the skin cells, killing them.
This type of treatment will initially make the skin appear darker, but this will fade within a few days.
Another popular cosmetic procedure for dark spots is microdermabrasion. This type of therapy will use microscopic crystals to remove layers of damaged skin, allowing new skin to take its place.
What About Spot Lightening Creams?
If you don't want the expense of cosmetic procedures such as laser therapy and don't like the idea of mixing up your own home remedies, then the best solution for you would be a cream made specifically for spot lightening. There are many different creams on the market for reducing the appearance of dark spots.
For the sake of your health, only purchase from reputable companies who make products from safe ingredients, who have testimonials from happy customers and who also offer a money back guarantee if you don't achieve the results you desire.
Last Updated : September 5th, 2023
Debby Lee is the main author and founder of Mylighterskin.com.
She is a full time website manager and writer, with ten of years experience. She writes mainly in the areas of health and beauty, with a special interest in skin care.
