Remedies for Dark Spots on the Body

The problem of dark spots on the surface of the skin is also known as hyperpigmentation. Though it can occur in people of any age group, middle-aged people are most commonly affected by it. There are several factors that can lead to their formation on the body. One of the major causes of dark spots on the body is excessive exposure to the sun.

The ultraviolet light of the sun damages the skin's surface and leads to dark spots. Side effects of some of the medicines can cause similar dark spots without any sun exposure. It can also result from some kind of a skin disease. If the skin's surface gets injured due to some trauma, then after the wound is healed, the affected area of the skin turns dark.

Certain health conditions like pregnancy, liver disease, etc., can also be responsible for the formation of dark spots.

When you have a dark spot on your body, then you need not feel disappointed as there are a number of treatments available for them. Some of them are as follows:

Skin creams that have hydroquinone as an ingredient have excellent bleaching qualities and are most popularly used for treating dark spots. They do not work instantly and have to be applied on the spots for several months before they fade out and become less noticeable.

Excessive use of such bleaching creams can lead to side effects like irritation and reddening of the skin.

They should not be used for acne scar removal. Some skin-lightening creams are also available in the market, which can be used to restore the natural color of the skin. Generally, these products claim to contain natural ingredients that have similar effects like hydroquinone.

The chemical peels consist of glycolic acid with trichloro acetic acid which help remove the superficial layers from the top of the skin. Thus, the dark spots get worn out. After the treatment, one may experience a burning sensation that will subside after a few days. The treatment should be carried out by professionals only.

However, chemical peels of only glycolic acid are available over the counter and can be used at home as well. It is a very mild chemical peel and hence has to be applied for 2 - 3 weeks before you can see some results.

This method will give you very quick results. It can treat any kind of random dark spots on the body. This process involves the use of laser beam, which removes the spots from the skin. It also promotes the growth of new pigment, which makes the skin tone much lighter. Since it is a form of surgery, it will need some time before you recover from it.

This treatment is costlier than the other treatments. Also, a lot of risks are involved with it, like pigmentation can worsen further or in some rare cases it can lead to scarring. Therefore, you should opt for this when all other methods of treatment fail to show the desired results.

When the dark spots are not very severe, then you can try out some home remedies to lighten them. The best part of home treatment is that it does not have any harmful side effects. You can use one or more of the following to remove the spots.

Take one teaspoon each of honey, lemon juice, and milk and half teaspoon of almond oil. Mix them thoroughly and apply on the dark spots. Lactic acid present in the milk helps reduce the dark marks while the nutrients of honey aid in skin renewal. This is a great remedy for removing dark spots from the facial skin.

Lemon juice has natural bleaching properties. You can mix it with turmeric and apply it on the spots in circular motions. Wait for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. After a number of applications, you will find that the dark spots are lightening.

Juice of potato can also be used for lightening the spots on the skin. You can extract the juice from a potato or apply thin slices of it on the dark parts of the skin and wait for 15 - 20 minutes. Then, wash off with cold water.

Once you have successfully removed the dark spots from the body, it is essential that you prevent their reappearance. Do not prick the pimples, boils, or any infections on the skin, as they tend to cause dark spots later on. Try to avoid going out in the sun. If it is not possible, then you have to generously use a sunscreen lotion on all the exposed parts of your body whenever you step out in the sun. This should be followed even in winters.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.