When you look in the mirror, do black spots or tanning bother you?
I guess it might bother some of you. Some might have tried hiding it with a concealer or even tried some dermatological creams or face packs. But still, after some days you could see black spots on your face and then you end up giving up.
Black spots or tan lines are very stubborn and require a lot of attention as well as patience to get rid of. And, they can affect any and every skin type. There is no escape from the black spots and tan lines. But, if you know what is causing black spots and how to tackle them. You, my friend, can achieve flawless glowing skin.
So, here is everything you need to know about black spots, read on to find out..
The reason behind Black Spots
- Long sun exposure leads to the production of Melanin, resulting in black spots on the face. As the sun exposure increases, so do the percentage of dark spots, which is known as Melasma in medical terms. Melasma is a skin condition that leads to small patches of skin discolouration. And is more common in women, especially during pregnancy.
- Moreover, dirt and impurities are also responsible for the excess production of melanin in the skin cells.
- Acne or breakouts also leaves black spots on the face. Although they fade away with time, it is advised to not touch or pick on your acne.
- Ageing skin is more prone to dark spots and damaged cells and these spots are known as lentigines.
- Inflammation due to eczema or psoriasis or even after threading or waxing (especially sensitive skin) can lead to dark spots.
Now, we know what causes dark spots and tan lines on our face. And, you all must be already thinking of ways to prevent any more dark spots in future. You must be also wondering about some treatments and home remedies that will furthermore help get rid of dark spots on your face.
Always Do This:
- Wear sunscreen (SPF of at least 30) daily no matter what your skin type is and keep applying it every few hours
- Before going to bed, wash your face and apply your favourite night cream or anti-ageing cream
- Buy and use products with retinoic acids (Retin-A and Renova). It works in increasing cell turnover, speeds up exfoliation, and promote new, healthy skin growth
- Go for chemical exfoliating products, especially the ones containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), glycolic acid, lactic acid or salicylic acid
- Use of Vitamin C serums, pomegranate extracts, beta extracts serums
- Most importantly, break the habit of frequently touching your face as this is one of the major causes of acne and breakouts on the skin
Kitchen Hacks:
Black spots and tan lines are very stubborn and require a little extra attention and effort. Apart from taking all the prevention, you can treat these at home as well. Playing along with some kitchen ingredients is always fun and beneficial. Here are some of the best natural treatments for black spots at home…
Aloe Vera
Brimming with Vitamins A, B, C and E, and naturally improves our skin texture and discolouration. Aloe vera’s anti-ageing and skin nourishing properties help in fading and removing the black spots on your face. Antiseptic properties in it also kill germs and bacteria, preventing the occurrence of acne and pimples.
Apply fresh or store-bought aloe vera gel on a regular basis.
Tomato
Rich in lycopene, which acts as a natural skin lightening agent and thus a very effective remedy for black spots and skin tanning. Apart from skin lightening properties, tomatoes also have skin tightening properties. This property helps in preventing fine lines and enlarged pores on your face.
Apply tomato paste or pulp on your skin 2-3 times a week and you will have a soft and smooth face.
If you are not getting the time to apply it on your face, start including tomato salad in your meals and reap maximum benefits out of it.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt, another naturally skin-brightening item in our kitchen works by fading the dark spots by exfoliating the skin. The lactic acid (Alpha hydroxy acid) in our dairy products acts as a chemical exfoliator, breaks down the dead skin cells as well as soothes the skin. It not only improves the discolouration but also balances the pH of our skin.
You can add yoghurt in many DIY face masks with turmeric or honey or lime juice. Just be sure to rinse the mask away carefully.
Apply it 3-4 times a week for a better result.
Milk
Milk not only lightens the black spots but also gets rid of the dead skin cells from the skin surface. The lactic acid in the milk soothes and calms the skin. The nourishing nutrients in the milk penetrate your skin and prevent blackheads and acne.
To get the benefits of milk, you just have to soak a cotton pad in a few drops of raw milk on it. Dab on your face, especially on the black spots every night. Wash your face the next morning.
Use this DIY 3-4 times a week for best results.
Potatoes
Potatoes are rich in an enzyme, catecholase, which has a skin bleaching property. Thus, potatoes are considered very efficient in treating black spots and tan lines.
To make a DIY face pack, you will need 1 potato, lemon juice or curd. Grate the potato and squeeze its juice. Now mix equal parts of potato juice with yoghurt or lemon juice. Apply it on your face and leave it for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with cool water.
Use this remedy twice a week for best results.
Say Bye To Black Spots On Your Face
In most cases, it might not be possible to prevent dark spots and are not considered harmful. But if you are dubious about it and are not able to get rid of it, do book an appointment with a dermatologist and get it checked. Because, at times, it gets hard to differentiate between dark spots or other skin issues, such as melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
So, it’s always best to protect yourself from harmful sun rays (especially between 10 am to 4 pm). And, do not touch your face if you are dealing with acne. Give some time to black spots and tan lines to fade on their own while following all the prevention methods and with DIY face masks. Patience is the key here…
Stay Safe and Stay Gorgeous!!
This article is contributed by 5PM Ardor!
Author bio: 5PM Ardor: The place where you enjoy a short read on skincare, food, and books while relishing your favorite cup of tea or coffee…
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