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A telltale sign of sun damage, breakouts, and other skin trauma, dark spots pave the way for an uneven complexion. Sure, you don’t mind an occasional spot here and there, but when you notice a family of dark spots that seem to have taken up permanent occupancy on your face, you know it’s going to be a long battle.
These stubborn dark spots and uneven brown patches on the face, décolletage, and hands (also known as pigmentation) are usually caused by prolonged sun exposure when ultraviolet rays penetrate deep into the skin. Dermatologist Abhijit Desai explains, “UVA light stimulates pigment cells to manufacture a pigment called melanin. Melanin is responsible for tanning and dark patches.” Among young women, common triggers for pigmentation include sun exposure, contraceptive pills, and pregnancy, which tend to alter hormone levels.
Besides laser treatment – which was the only way to treat pigmentation for the longest time – Hydroquinone was once considered a gold-standard lightening agent. According to a study, 4% Hydroquinone cream was considered a better topical hypopigmenting agent with a rapid rate of improvement as compared to 0.75% Kojic Acid cream. However, recent studies have shown that Hydroquinone can cause redness, burning, dryness, and even skin thinning over time.
“A far safer bet,” says Dr Desai, “are natural skin lightening agents such as Kojic Acid, Licorice root extract, Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Soy, and Retinoid, which fade dark spots.” Prefer going the herbal route? Look for products with Turmeric, Lactic Acid and Papaya. Once you’ve found your fix, proceed with caution. “Always perform a patch test since most lightening agents could irritate the skin, causing redness, flaking or itching.” Citric, lactic and glycolic acid-based products can cause excessive peeling on darker skin tones, leading to hyperpigmentation. “You might be tempted to use prescription-strength bleaching creams containing steroids, but these can be toxic to skin, so don’t,” warns Dr Desai.
Waiting for spots to disappear is a futile task. So, the sooner you work on treating them, the less intervention (read: laser) will be required later. Here’s a little help from our side on how to remove black spots on the face.
Causes Of Dark Spots On The Face
- If you’ve been using cosmetic products that irritate the skin, the chances of dark spots forming on the face are higher. If you suspect this could be a plausible cause, you might want to upgrade your beauty kit.
- A bout of inflammation on the face due to injuries, insect bites, burns, eczema, or any other skin concern could result in the appearance of dark spots.
- We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but certain medications can trigger the development of dark spots on the skin. These medications include antibiotics, antiarrhythmic, antipsychotic and antimalarial drugs.
- Hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, can trigger melasma, which is a skin condition that causes small patches of skin discolouration.
- Extreme exposure to the sun for extended periods can cause sunspots, which are nothing but dark spots. Be generous with the sunscreen!
- Pimples when pricked can most certainly leave dark spots and scars on the face. So, avoid giving in to the temptation of picking your acne and let your skin heal naturally.
Home Remedies For Dark Spots
According to a study, natural ingredients including mulberry, liquorice extracts, green tea, turmeric, and soy, among others, show promise for patients with hyperpigmentation disorders. So, if you decide to tread the at-home route, here are a few remedies on how to remove black spots on the face.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Step 1: In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of Papaya Extracts and squeeze 2 drops of Honey. Stir it well.
Step 2: Slather copious amounts of this mixture on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Wash off with lukewarm water.
2. Sandalwood
Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of Sandalwood powder and 2 tablespoons of fresh Orange juice. Mix it well to form a paste.
Step 2: Now, massage the paste in circular motions on your face for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Wash off with cold water and finish off with your favourite moisturiser.
3. Parsley
Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 cup of chopped Parsley, 1 tablespoon of Yogurt, and 1 tablespoon of Rose Water. Stir it well to form a paste.
Step 2: Now directly apply this paste all over your face and let it sit for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse with cold water and finish off with a moisturiser.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Step 1: In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 tablespoons of Water.
Step 2: Dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply a layer of this paste on the dark spots.
Step 3: After 10 minutes, rinse off with lukewarm water.
5. Aloe Vera
Step 1: Scoop out the gel from an Aloe Vera Leaf into a cup. Add 2 drops of Honey and mix.
Step 2: Now apply the paste on the dark spots and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Wash off with water.
6. Tomato Juice
Step 1: Blend a Tomato and extract its juice into a bowl. Squeeze 2 drops of Lemon Juice and mix it well.
Step 2: Now massage this mixture in circular motions on the affected area for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse off with water and finish off with your favourite moisturiser.
7. Lemon Peel
Step 1: Powder-dry Lemon Peels and add them to a bowl. Squeeze 2 drops of Honey and stir well.
Step 2: Dip a cotton swab in the paste and rub it on the dark spots.
Step 3: After leaving it on for 10 minutes, rinse it off with water.
8. Turmeric
Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of Turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice and 1 drop of Honey.
Step 2: Directly apply this paste to the affected area and leave it on for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Wash off with lukewarm water and follow it up with your favourite moisturiser.
9. Milk
Step 1: In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of cold Milk and 1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice and mix it well.
Step 2: Now dip a cotton ball in the solution and rub it on the affected area.
Step 3: After leaving it on for 15 minutes, wash it off with water.
Best Products For Dark Spots
Let’s state the obvious, shall we? You need to use a good sunscreen in conjunction with your daily skincare routine to effectively improve and maintain your overall skin tone. Once that is covered, you can focus on reforming your beauty regime.
On that note, we’ve rounded up the best products you can incorporate into your skincare routine to kiss those spots goodbye in no time. For instance, findings suggest that a targeted pigment-correcting spot treatment gel suspension cream is an effective and tolerable treatment for hyperpigmentation. Head on below to peruse the best formulations to treat dark spots:
1. SoulTree Replenishing Night Cream - Jasmine & Pomegranate Drench
The potent cocktail of pure Jasmine Essence, Pomegranate Seed Oil, and Mango Butter in this cream makes for an ideal night treatment if you are looking to fade dark spots. It also helps provide intense hydration to the skin and restores your natural glow thanks to the nourishing blend of antioxidant-rich Tea Leaves, Turmeric, and Almond Oil. So, reach out for this exotic-looking container to protect your skin from environmental aggressors and brighten your complexion stat.
2. Kama Ayurveda Nalpamaradi Thailam Skin Brightening Treatment
This bottled natural formula promises glowy results whilst correcting dark spots. How? Potent Turmeric with its antioxidant action repairs pigmentation and evens skin tone; moisturising Sesame Oil provides a hydrating and nourishing base; cooling Vetiver, replenishing Indian Gooseberry, and antibacterial Madder Extracts heal and alleviate environmental damage. It’s naturally the perfect team. Need we say more?
3. Upakarma Ayurveda Vitamin C Face Serum
Inarguably, Vitamin C is the first line of defence in skincare. So, it’s pretty self-explanatory that this serum which harbors 20% of the skin-friendly vitamin is a must-have. And why not? Antioxidant-rich Green Tea Extracts, Green Tea Oil, and Vitamin E protect your skin cells from damage while a hydrating base of Hyaluronic acid, Glycerine, and Aloe Vera keeps your skin smooth. And of course, Vitamin C spearheads the war against dark spots, while controlling melanin production.
4. Khadi Natural Ayurvedic Face Gold Massage Cream
In the at-home route, isn’t Aloe Vera accepted as the gold standard of glowing ingredients? Well, here it joins forces with Shea Butter, Rose Extracts, Almond Oil, Mulberry Extracts, and Jojoba Oil to slough off dead skin cells and minimise spots. Oh, and the luxe detail (we wouldn’t want to miss) is its 24-carat Gold base that teams up with the bevvy of herbal extracts to work wonders on your skin! Clearly a great way to treat your skin to luxury on a budget, huh?
5. Aqualogica Hydrate+ Jello Moisturizer
It’s believed that Coconut Water is like the magical elixir for flawless skin. Well, this Coconut Water-infused cream drives home the point. Saturated with pure Coconut Water, Hyaluronic Acid, and Black Oats, it repairs the skin barrier and boosts hydration for an even-toned complexion. The best bit? The non-sticky, lightweight formulation penetrates the skin without irritating it.
6. Kaya Pigmentation Reducing Complex
This quick-absorbing night cream contains Azelaic Acid, which lightens dark spots, and Phytic Acid, a proven tyrosinase inhibitor to prevent melanin production. Claiming to reduce dark spots and pigmentation within two weeks, take a coin-sized amount and apply it to the face and neck, massaging it in an upward and outward direction.
Key Takeaway
Boost the action of your chosen formula by applying a UVA and UVB shielding sunscreen. “It’s even more important to wear SPF while using a skin lightener,” says Dr. Desai, “because the active ingredients in the formula can make your skin more vulnerable to burns.” Now go kiss them dark spots goodbye!
FAQs On Dark Spots
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How to remove black marks from face with creams?
Here are the best creams for dark spots on the face:
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How to remove black marks from face with night creams?
The following are the best dark spots on face removal creams:
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How to remove dark patches on face with topical treatments?
Topical treatments to fade dark spots include ingredients, such as Hydroquinone, Retinoids, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Glycolic Acid, Kojic Acid, and Salicylic Acid. Consult with your dermatologist before exposing your skin to any of these ingredients. It’s necessary to follow a topical treatment that suits your skin type and needs.
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How fast do dark spots go away?
Once you’ve identified the cause of the dark spots and begun treatment, it can take up to 12 months to fully fade. However, many topical applicants can speed up this process, claiming to show visible pigmentation reduction within just two weeks. Practice patience and stay committed to the process to witness desirable results.
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Do dark spot correctors actually work?
Besides invasive laser treatments and chemical peels, prescription medication and dark spot correctors can successfully fade dark spots, too. Try The Derma Co. 3% Kojic Acid Dark Spot Corrector Gel or Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter for dark spot reduction.
