Skin blemishes, also known as hyperpigmentation, are caused by age, sun exposure, or acne, and while they don't pose a health risk, they can be bothersome. If you notice them on your face or hands, know that you are not the only one wanting to get rid of them. Home remedies, cosmetic treatments and professional ones can help reduce them. However, keep in mind that any cure may take months to produce first results, so try to be patient.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Try Home Remedies
Step 1. Apply lemon juice to the affected area
Lemon juice has natural lightening properties. It also contains vitamin C, effective against depigmentation. While not as strong as pharmaceuticals, it can help lighten blemishes. Rub it freshly squeezed into dark areas and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing off. Repeat the treatment 3 times a week. However, don't expose yourself to the sun with lemon juice on your skin, as it could have the opposite effect.
Lemon juice dries the skin by increasing sensitivity to the sun, therefore It is important to use a moisturizer and sunscreen after this treatment.
Step 2. Use apple cider vinegar for 5-10 minutes
It is a remedy whose effectiveness is guaranteed by many people because it works by accelerating the skin's regeneration process, which is equivalent to having a younger and lighter skin. Apply it with a cotton ball on dark spots, then remove it by rinsing thoroughly after 5-10 minutes.
You can use this treatment 2-3 times a week
Step 3. Try horseradish
Horseradish is naturally rich in vitamin C, so it helps lighten the skin. Mix it in equal parts with apple cider vinegar and dab it on the stains. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Try it 2-3 times a week
Step 4. Blend papaya with lemon juice and honey for a depigmenting mask
Papaya contains alpha hydroxy acids, which are used in some acne cleansers to exfoliate the skin. Therefore, it can also be effective against hyperpigmentation. Just cut a papaya and remove the peel and seeds. Put the pieces in a blender and add water to mix everything evenly. Then, add one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to the dark spots and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- You can use unripe or ripe papaya.
- When you're done, rinse thoroughly and apply a moisturizer. Use this treatment 2-3 times a week.
- You can store the mask in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
Step 5. Apply onion juice
The acid contained in the onion allows you to exfoliate the skin. You can buy the packaged juice on the Internet or simply whisk an onion and extract the juice with a strainer or muslin cloth. Then, dab it on the dark areas, letting it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
Try this treatment 2-3 times a week
Step 6. Use an electric cleansing brush to exfoliate your skin without chemicals
It is a deep cleansing product by removing the top layer of dead skin and thus can lighten blemishes. In addition, it improves the appearance of the skin and eliminates the residues of the products previously applied. Use it 3 times a week with a facial cleanser, rubbing it on the area to be treated for 2-3 minutes until it is completely clean.
- You can buy it on the Internet, in electronics stores in the beauty department and in department stores.
- Be sure to clean the print head after each use by rinsing it with warm soapy water.
Method 2 of 4: Using Pharmaceuticals
Step 1. Try a Vitamin C Skin Serum
Vitamin C helps to lighten the hyperpigmented areas, without affecting the surrounding ones. All you need to do is cleanse the skin and apply 5-6 drops of Vitamin C serum to the affected area. You can do this treatment before putting on sunscreen in the morning.
Some lightening products are vitamin C only, while others contain various ingredients.
Step 2. Choose a localized treatment with certain ingredients
Treating dark areas only allows you to select the portions of skin to lighten. In addition, it is less expensive because you will not have to use the product on a larger surface. Generally, it is sufficient to apply a small amount only on the affected area, in the morning or in the evening.
- Look for a product containing azelaic acid, 2% hydroquinone, kojic acid, glycolic acid, retinoids, and vitamin C. These are usually "localized treatment" serums.
- Be careful when buying these kinds of products online. Make sure you buy a topical or pharmaceutical treatment from countries that have controls and regulations governing the use of chemicals. Drugs without regulatory labels may contain harmful ingredients, such as steroids or mercury.
Step 3. Choose a serum that helps to even out the entire area to be treated
Although localized treatments are an effective solution, a serum that acts on the entire affected area can make your life easier. It helps you to even out your skin tone, but also lighten blemishes. Typically, you just need to apply it 1-2 times a day.
The main ingredients to consider are tetrapeptide-30, phenylethyl resorcinol, tranexamic acid and niacinamide. Usually, these are products called "illuminating serums".
Step 4. Use acne patches or blemishes to open pores and lighten dark marks
The lightening patches are specially made for dark spots. Just apply them on the area to be treated to reduce hyperpigmentation. Pimples can also be helpful as they open the pores and lightly exfoliate the area. You can buy them on the Internet or in most perfumeries.
Method 3 of 4: Consult your dermatologist
Step 1. Learn about Retin-A if you want to remove and prevent blemishes
It is a cream that, applied in the evening, allows you to eliminate less accentuated hyperpigmentation. In addition, it can prevent dark marks from appearing. For best results, your dermatologist may prescribe a tretinoin cream.
Apply in the evening as it can increase the photosensitivity of the skin
Step 2. See if microdermabrasion can help
It is a procedure that smoothes the skin because it uses very small particles to exfoliate and eliminate dead cells. It does not involve the use of chemicals, so it is less harmful than other treatments, such as chemical peels.
- Microdermabrasion can bring out some skin problems, such as capillaries on the face and rosacea, so it is not suitable for everyone.
- Redness and scarring are the main side effects of this procedure, although they do not occur in all people.
Step 3. Learn about cryotherapy
It is more suitable in case of small hyperpigmentation, such as age spots, because the skin is subjected to a freezing process that tends to destroy it together with the pigment, thus promoting skin regeneration.
This procedure can also cause discoloration and scarring
Step 4. Ask your dermatologist about the chemical peel
The chemical peel eliminates the upper skin layer thanks to the use of chemicals. You can do it comfortably at home, but it is not as effective as the professional one. The drawback is that you will surely have to undergo several sessions, even 6-8.
- Chemical peels can cause irritation. There is also a risk that the skin will change color permanently.
- Apply sunscreen after your treatment as your skin will be sensitive to the sun.
Step 5. Consider laser treatment
It is nothing more than a beam of light so concentrated that it eliminates hyperpigmentation. Most dermatologists perform this treatment, albeit with several variations. One of the best is the one that treats the high-speed zone, such as Aerolase's Lightpod Neo technology.
- Also, ask your dermatologist if the device cools the treated area as it casts the light beam to avoid irritation.
- Although it can irritate the skin, the risk is generally lower than with other treatments. However, you should apply sunscreen after the laser.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Stains
Step 1. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day
Over time, the sun worsens the hyperpigmentation and can even cause new marks to appear. Whenever you go out, you should put on sunscreen to protect your skin, particularly where there are dark spots.
To make your life easier, choose a moisturizer with SPF to have a double effect
Step 2. Try a hydrocortisone cream
Pimples can be annoying, but if you squeeze or touch them, they can turn into dark spots that last for months, so the problem can get complicated. Apply a small amount of hydrocortisone cream several times a day to get rid of it.
A 1% hydrocortisone cream can reduce redness and irritation by avoiding the temptation to squeeze pimples
Step 3. Wash your face with a BHA or AHA based cleanser
These are products that contain beta hydroxy acids or alpha hydroxy acids, typically used to treat acne. However, they can also help prevent pimples by removing dead skin cells. In addition, they prevent clogging of the pores.
Avoid using them if you have dry or sensitive skin
Step 4. Tell your doctor what medications you are taking
Some medications can promote the appearance of dark spots as a side effect. If they have come up as a result of drug therapy, ask your doctor if it could be a side effect.
