Skin spots or skin pigmentation is seen in the form of acne, rash, age spots, melasma, or birthmark on the skin. There are no specific places for skin pigmentation to occur. They can develop anywhere in the body. Though they are harmless but can lower the self-confidence of a person.

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural treatments available that can help treat darkened skin or skin spots effectively. In this article, we are going to look at the causes of skin spots, and easy remedies to treat them effectively.

Types and Causes of Skin Spots

Skin spots can appear in various different types. There is no one reason for it. In order to treat skin spots effectively, it is important to identify the underlying cause for it. So, let us see the major types of skin spots and what causes them.

1. Age Spots

These are dark-colored spots that are also known as liver spots. These spots generally occur in people who are above 40. The primary causes that lead to these spots are excessive exposure to the sun. This stimulates skin pigment cells to produce more melanin in specific areas of the skin. It causes age spots to develop on the skin.

2. Rash

A skin rash is identified by changes in the texture and color of skin. Humidity and hot weather can play a significant role in developing rashes on the skin. It can also be caused due to food allergies, and exposure to sun rays. Other factors being dry skin, medication, insect bites, a fungal, and bacterial infection.

3. Acne

Acne is a type of spot that forms when oil, dirt, and bacteria clog a hair follicle present on the skin. It occurs on the skin in the form of pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. Several factors such as fluctuations in hormones, stress, specific medicines, uncleanliness, exposure to the sun, aging, oily foods, etc.

4. Melasma

Melasma is characterized as dark patches that are caused due to over secretion of melanin. It is characterized by dark patches on the skin. The common causes for it are exposure to the sun, improper levels of hormones, pregnancy, and consumption of birth control pills.

5. Birth Marks

These are harmless marks that are known to present from birth. They are characterized as skin abnormalities that mostly shows up in different colors such as tan, brown, black, blue, and gray. Moles are one of the examples of birthmarks.

Other reasons for skin pigmentation

• • Use of specific medications, that includes chemotherapy drugs
  • endocrine ailments, such as Addison’s disease
  • pregnancy hormones
  • insulin resistance
  • genetics
  • infections
  • trauma

Home Remedies To Treat Skin Spots At Home

There are various remedies that are made up of natural ingredients to treat skin pigmentation effectively.

1. Tomato juice

Tomatoes have high amounts of antioxidants and vitamin C that heals the skin. Their natural astringent properties help clear blemishes. Application of tomato juice shrink skin pores. It has high lycopene content that lightens dark stubborn spots on the skin. It can give you relief from long-term and short-term damage caused due to sun rays.

Take out fresh tomato juice. Apply it on the impacted skin region. Allow it to dry for fifteen minutes. Rinse it off with normal water.

2. Egg white

Eggs are beneficial for the skin. It makes your skin flawless, and tight. The white part of the egg has natural enzymes that even out the skin. It also lightens the darkest scars and blemishes naturally.

Take the white part of one egg. With the help of fingers, apply it to the skin. Leave it for fifteen minutes. When it becomes dry, then wash off your skin with cold water. Perform this remedy twice a week for one month to see your blemishes disappearing away.

3. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is touted for its incredible healing properties. It has polysaccharides that help grow new skin cells. This vital herb also contains a natural depigmenting element called aloin, which has work as a nontoxic skin pigmentation treatment. It gradually heals scars, acne, and blemishes.

To use this remedy, all you need to do is to extract some gel from the aloe vera leaf and apply it evenly on the skin. Allow it to dry. Rinse it with water. Apply this gel daily for a month to see a visible reduction in the color of skin spots. For best results, apply it before bedtime. Leave it on overnight and wash your skin the very next day.

4. Honey

Skin spots can be the result of dry skin. Honey is an excellent moisturizer. It is composed of anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties that help lighten the scars. To use honey to cure skin discoloration, all you need is to apply a teaspoon of honey over the spots.

After 20 minutes, wash it off with cold water. Perform this remedy for fifteen days. You will see that slowly the color of the scar will diminish.

5. Milk Or Butter Milk

Both milk and butter are excellent treatments to lighten skin discoloration. They contain lactic acid that produces a skin lightening effect. All that you need to do is to take a cotton ball and rub it over dark skin patches two times daily. Repeat this procedure to see results.

6. Lemon

Lemon juice is recognized as a highly effective skin lightening and a natural bleaching agent. It is the ideal in gradient to get spotless skin. However, as this juice is very acidic, it can cause irritation to people who have sensitive skin.

In that case, you can add a few drops of honey to the juice to reduce its highly concentrated nature. Apply this mixture all over the skin. Keep it for ten minutes. Repeat this process daily for 15 days. Your efforts are going to reap the desired results for sure.

7. ACV Or Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV has acetic acid that has the ability to lighten pigmentation naturally. It contains citric acid, that destroys acne. The presence of succinic acid suppresses inflammation and scarring caused due to acne. The presence of lactic acid in ACV reduces the marks of acne scars.

As it is very strong in nature, you will need to dilute it by adding water to it. Keep the ratio of ACV and water as 1:2. If you have sensitive skin, you need to use the ingredients in a 1:3 ratio. Apply it on your skin spots. Keep it for not more than five minutes. Rinse your skin thoroughly with lukewarm water. Do it once daily for 15 days.

8. Licorice extract

Licorice extract has active ingredients that help lighten stubborn spots caused due to sun exposure, and melasma. Add it to your face packs or face masks to get its benefits.

9. Green tea

Green tea has plenty of antioxidants that can cause a depigmenting effect when you apply it on your skin. It has polyphenols that help in fighting away bacteria and lower inflammation in the body. These are the two main reasons that contribute to acne. All you need is to steep a few green tea leaves or a green tea bag in hot water for 2 to 3 minutes. Allow it to cool.

Apply it on your dark patches till you obtain results. Do it two times a day for a month to get favorable results. If you do not have green tea, you can also use black tea leaves or a black tea bag and follow the same procedure of application.

10. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is known for its ability to destroy bacteria and lower inflammation on the skin. Tea tree oil makes it an effective natural remedy to reduce acne. As it is very strong, always dilute it, before you use it on your skin. It is advised to mix 1 part of this oil in 9 parts of water. Apply this solution on your affected skin using fresh and clean cotton. Follow this remedy twice daily to see the desired results.

Face Packs That Reduce the Appearance of Skin Spots

In addition to the above remedies, you can try a few face masks that will help lighten your skin spots. The natural ingredients used in these masks clear your skin and makes it moist and hydrated.

1. A Cinnamon And Honey Mask

Cinnamon and honey are powerful ingredients that help fight bacteria. They lower inflammation that triggers acne. Honey blocks the growth of acne in the skin.

Ingredients Used:

• 2 tbsp of honey
• 1 tsp of cinnamon

Preparation Method:

• Mix both the ingredients well and form a paste.
• Clean your skin. Apply it on the skin. Leave it on your skin for ten and fifteen minutes.
• Rinse your skin with water.

2. Red Lentils Face Pack

Masoor dal has plenty of proteins and antioxidants that provides nourishment to your skin. This dal is coarse in texture. It is a good exfoliator. It helps remove dead cells from the skin and lightens your spots.

Ingredients Used:

• 50 grams of masoor dal/red lentils
• Water (to form a paste)

Preparation Method:

• Take a bowl. Add masoor dal and water to it. Let it stay overnight.
• With the help of a blender, make a smooth paste.
• Apply it uniformly on your affected skin.
• Let it stay for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with cold water.

Lifestyle Changes To Treat Skin Spots

1. Omega 3 fatty acids supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that provide a wide range of health benefits. It reduces inflammation and the development of acne on the skin. Best sources of omega 3 supplements are walnuts, salmon, anchovies, sardines, walnuts, fish oil, and chia seeds.

2. Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells that clog pores. In this way, it helps improve acne. You may find a broad range of exfoliation products available in the market, but the simplest exfoliator is a scrub that uses salt and sugar.

• Mix sugar or salt and coconut oil in equal amounts.
• Rub this paste on the skin and rinse your skin well.
• Repeat this process daily till you get spotless skin.

3. A low Glycemic load diet

Diet is a very important factor that leads to the formation of acne. Food that is high in oily and sugary can affect your skin. It can increase the secretion of sebum on the skin. So, to avoid acne, it is very important to avoid processed foods, that include refined foods, sugary beverages, fast foods, junk foods, etc.

It is advised to replace them with vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, etc. People who have severe acne should eat a diet that is low in carbs, and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A low GI diet that has slow-digesting complex carbohydrates is recommended.

4. Reduce your dairy consumption

Dairy products have IGF-1 hormones that are linked to acne. They also have a few other hormones that lead to hormones fluctuation and cause acne to form. Studies have shown that people who drank whole milk for 3 or more days per week showed signs of acne development on the skin. Thus, limit your dairy consumption to prevent acne.

5. Reduce stress

When a person is under stress, his body releases cortisol hormone that in turn enhances the production of sebum in the body. It impacts the beneficial intestinal bacteria and causes inflammation. This makes acne worse.

Stress even slows down the rate of healing of wounds/acne on the skin. Due to this, it is important to perform stress relaxation techniques. These can be practicing meditation, getting sound sleep, rhythmic breathing exercises, yoga, chanting, stretching, etc.

6. Exercise regularly

Blocked skin pores and stress are the major causes behind acne. Regular exercise can help you relieve from both these conditions. Exercise like walking, jogging, running, swimming, playing outdoor games, dancing, aerobics, cycling, yoga, and lifting weights, etc. can all help you sweat and unclog pores on the skin.

It will help in the elimination of dirt trapped inside the pores. Workout also helps release feel-good hormones and reduce cortisol levels in the body. It improves blood circulation in the body that helps nourish the skin cells and heal/prevent acne.

Medical Treatment Of Skin Spots

DIY treatment is not for everyone. It is important to know when you should switch to medical treatment.  Based on the type and cause of the condition, you can identify the best treatment for it. If the above home remedies do not give you the desired results, then there are various treatment options available to treat pigmentation. These are:

• chemical peels
• intense pulsed light
• cryotherapy
• microdermabrasion
• laser resurfacing

What Is The Right Time To Seek Medical Assistance?

When the condition aggravates so much that the blood starts to come out of the skin spot, then you should get reach out to the doctor. Also, if you notice that the color and size of the spot enlarges, then also you seek medical advice.

Conclusion

Skin spots are treatable. They are basically a cosmetic concern than a medical one. The best way to eliminate them is through prevention. Protect your skin from the sun with good quality SPF-enriched sunscreen. Keep it clean and follow a proper skincare routine. It will go a long way in keeping your skin healthy.

Regular exfoliation is necessary to prevent the accumulation of dead skin and the formation of spots on the skin. All the above discussed natural remedies and lifestyle changes are the best ways to lighten dark patches at home. Yet, if you have got chronic skin spots, you should seek immediate consultation from a dermatologist.