Home Remedies for Pigmentation: How to Remove Dark Spots

Man pointing fingers to his cheeks | Home Remedies for Hyperpigmentation

Some people with skin pigmentation find it ugly, while others who are affected by it may find it to be psychologically upsetting. There are several at-home treatments for pigmentation that may be helpful for anyone trying to lessen the appearance of different coloured areas of skin. The colouration of the skin is called pigmentation. In the skin, there is a pigment called melanin. Melanin is produced by skin cells as a form of UV protection.

The overall colour of a person's skin is determined by the amount of melanin present in that person. However, the skin may produce excessive amounts of melanin in a single location, darkening the skin. Hyperpigmentation appears here.

Although it can occasionally affect the entire body, hyperpigmentation often only affects isolated regions of the skin.

Home treatments might not always be effective, and there are instances in which a patient should visit a doctor for a complete diagnosis and medical care.

Symptoms of various forms of hyperpigmentation include:

Small, darker spots called hyperpigmentation from sun damage are often seen on the hands, face, and other sun-exposed regions.

Melasma: These bigger regions of darker skin are caused by hormonal changes and resemble age spots in appearance.

Small, brown dots known as freckles may appear anywhere on the body. On the face and arms, however, these patches are rather prevalent. When exposed to the sun, freckles, age spots, and other dark skin areas may darken.

Some home remedies that treat hyperpigmentation:

Apple cider
Milk or yoghurt
Green tea
Vitamin C
Aloe vera
Licorice flavouring

Diet for pigmentation on the face

A balanced diet should, in general, serve to support good skin health. This is beneficial solely for preserving healthy skin, however. You must consume a more skin-healthy diet if you want to enhance the condition of your skin.

The foods that prevent hyperpigmentation on the face:

Avocados

In addition to being tasty, avocados are also packed with anti-oxidants and good fats that shield the skin from free radical damage and early ageing. They include vitamins E and C, which have been demonstrated to enhance skin by supporting collagen and preventing oxidative damage considerably.

Fatty fish

Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, and herring. It has been shown that omega-3 helps to maintain thick, supple skin, lessens inflammation, and lessens skin susceptibility to UV radiation.

Sweet potato and carrots

Carrots and sweet potatoes both include significant amounts of beta carotene, or provitamin A. When consumed, the substance becomes a part of your skin and functions as a natural sunscreen.

Nuts and seeds

Nuts, seeds, and seeds are excellent sources of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and zinc, among other minerals.

Citrus fruits

Fruits, high in vitamin C, such as grapes, oranges, and lemons, aid in building thicker, younger-looking skin. Red grapes also contain resveratrol, a substance with potential anti-ageing benefits.

Water

Drinking adequate water helps your body wash out toxins, including free radicals, from all of your cells, including those in your skin. Additionally, it aids in maintaining cell hydration, enabling cells to fend off UV damage.

Hyperpigmentation treatment for dark skin

Follow these tips to treat hyperpigmentation at home:

Identify the underlying condition

Determine the most effective treatment strategy for you after working with a dermatologist to identify the underlying cause of your dark spots. It's common to deal with reduced hyperpigmentation if you can manage your skin rashes, acne, and eczema.

Apply sunscreen

Limiting your time in the sun as much as you can and developing a routine of applying broad-spectrum sunscreen can help prevent dark patches from becoming worse from excessive UV exposure.

Choose a quality serum

Strong anti-oxidant serums, such as those containing vitamin C, help fight off obstinate dark spots and promote luminous skin. Tyrosinase, an enzyme necessary for the production of melanin, may be directly inhibited by vitamin C.

Benefits of retinol

Although retinol is well recognised for its anti-aging properties, it is also a successful therapy for hyperpigmentation.

Retinol may inhibit the synthesis of tyrosinase similarly to vitamin C, but it also functions as an exfoliator by eliminating dead skin cells, exposing a more uniform skin tone.

Some of the recommended best products for reducing pigmentation on the face are

Take Away

Usually, hyperpigmentation is more of a cosmetic issue than a health one. You may reduce pigmentation at home using a variety of methods to brighten dark areas.

If you're worried about the colour of your skin or think a drug you're taking or an underlying medical problem may be to blame for your skin discolouration, talk to your doctor.

FAQs

1. Does face hyperpigmentation go away?

Depending on the cause, hyperpigmentation may go away on its own, although it may take a while to disappear.

2. Does vitamin C help with hyperpigmentation?

Yes, vitamin C help with hyperpigmentation.

3. How long will hyperpigmentation go away?

It takes about 2 months for hyperpigmentation to go away.

References:

Rizwan M Sanadi1 and Revati S Deshmukh, May - Aug 2020, The effect of Vitamin C on melanin pigmentation – A systematic review
Treating Hyperpigmentation on Darker Skin Tones