Dark spots on the face can be annoying, and it may take a lot of time to get rid of these spots. Unfortunately, women often become fed up with such ugly marks as most so-called ‘effective’ home remedies fail to treat them. If you have failed to treat your dark spots with natural remedies, it is time to try the best dark spot removal creams available in the US market.
Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots on the skin, occurs when parts of the skin contain more melanin. Melanin is responsible for the color of the eyes, skin, and hair. Dark spots on the skin are not harmful and do not need surgery, but people opt to remove them for aesthetic purposes. Sometimes dark spots on the skin are referred to as age spots or sunspots, depending on the cause. (1)
What are the dark spots?
Dark spots or black spots (also known as age spots, sun spots, or liver spots) are small spots or patches of discolored skin caused due to malfunctioning of the melanin. Melanin is responsible for the color of our skin, and these spots appear because of excess secretion of melanin.
Dark spots on the skin can be light brown or dark brown in color. The color of dark spots can vary based on a person’s skin tone. The spots are painless and have the same texture.
Dark spots come in various sizes and can appear on any part of the body, but they are most common in areas that are often exposed to sunlight. A spot that is a few shades darker than the skin normally fades away within 6 to 12 months in people with darker skin tone. It may take years for darker coloration to fade.
What causes brown spots?
Overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays, aging, lack of vitamins, stress, and inadequate skincare regimen can cause dark spots. Although these spots don’t pose any threats, they may give you an uneven and bumpy look. Some of the causes are mentioned here:
1. Sun damage
These types of spots are also known as sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots. Sunspots are more likely to occur on areas of the body that face the most sun exposure, such as the face, hands, or arms.
2. Hormonal changes
Melasma is a skin disease that causes discoloration in small patches of the skin. Women are more likely to develop the disease, particularly during pregnancy. Melasma can be triggered by hormones. (2)
3. Side effects of medications
Certain drugs can cause dark spots by increasing skin pigmentation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tetracyclines, and psychotropic drugs are the most common culprits. (3)
4. Diabetes
Diabetes can cause the darkening of the skin. Acanthosis nigricans, which causes darkened, velvety skin and shin spots, also known as diabetic dermopathy, is a condition linked to diabetes. People may think that these are age spots. (4)
Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots on the skin, may be caused by several factors. They are typically harmless and do not require medical attention. If a person wants to get rid of dark spots, they may use a variety of treatments, such as cosmetic procedures or over-the-counter medications.
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Do Dark Spot correctors work?
The answer is both Yes or No. Every skin is unique and requires different kinds of attention. Typically, dark spot correctors are nothing but skin-lightening agents. It might cause side effects like itchiness, redness, extreme dryness, or even a burning sensation. Before embracing any specific product, do research and go for a product that suits your skin type.
Every year, the Beauty Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluates hundreds of skincare items, including those that claim to treat dark spots, ranging from night creams to at-home peels.
How to Remove Dark Spots Naturally?
Certain natural ingredients can aid in the treatment of dark spots. For example, according to the findings of a small-scale 2017 study, applying aloe vera gel to the skin after 5 weeks of pregnancy may help minimize melasma (5). Some other remedies are:
Buttermilk
Apply Buttermilk to the dark spots and leave for 15-20 minutes. If you have dry skin or acne, squeeze in some lemon or lime juice. Finish with your favorite serum and moisturizer after rinsing with lukewarm water.
Lemons
Apply a slice of lemon to the affected area for 10 minutes in the morning and evening. In a glass bowl, mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water (rose water if you have sensitive skin). Dip your cotton pad and apply it to the skin. Rinse well with lukewarm water. Within a couple of months, the spots will lighten.
Papaya
Remove the peel and seeds of green papaya. Then, using a blender or food processor, blend or process until it forms a paste.
In the morning and before going to bed, leave the paste on your face and neck for 20-30 minutes. Then, wash it with lukewarm water.
In the morning and evening, apply aloe vera juice or natural aloe vera gel directly to the dark spots for 30 minutes. Finish with your favorite serum and moisturizer after rinsing with lukewarm water.
Best Creams to Treat Dark Spots (With Updated Price)
The following list includes the 6 best creams to treat dark spots that actually work and are enough to give you the perfect solution. Check it out:
1. Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer
Clinique is one of the high-end skincare product manufacturing brands, and this Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer from the company is a ‘true bliss’ for girls who suffer a lot from acne and its marks. The best thing about this product is that it starts working from the very first moment of its application, and you get rid of those dark spots due to pimples within a few days. It can even heal breakouts just within a couple of hours.
Key Features:
- Non-allergenic, 100% fragrance-free
- Visible results in 1 Week
- Dermatologist tested
- Suitable for all types of skin
Price: $49.50 for 1 fl oz.
2. Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair
Biotique has been offering wonderful skincare solutions for years, and you can correct all those spots and marks on your skin with this Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Cream. It is rich in vitamin C, retinol, glucose complex, and hyaluronic acid and treats the root cause of acne, and unclogs the pores so that you can get acne-free skin and spotless complexion.
Key Features:
- Clinically proven
- Non-comedogenic
- Best for combination skin
- Hydrates and diminishes fine lines
Price: $ 19.77 for 1.7 oz.
3. Eva Naturals Vitamin C+ Serum
With thousands of positive reviews, Eva Naturals’ dark spot-correcting serum is obviously a common choice among customers. Vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol are only a few ingredients in this potent recipe that dermatologists recommend for fading dark spots and balancing out skin tone.
Key Features:
- Dermatologically tested and organically pure
- Anti-aging properties
- Enriched with vitamin C
- Manufactured in FDA approved labs
Price: $14.95 for 1 oz
4. La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Cleanser
You can target dark spots in nearly every stage of your skincare routine with this brightening cleanser from La Roche-Posay. The foaming face wash uses a salicylic acid derivative called lipo-hydroxy acid to exfoliate and even out skin tone gently.
Key Features:
- Dermatologically tested
- Brightening effects
- Suitable for all skin types
Price: $24.99 for 4.2 Fl Oz.
4. Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
It has no scent or parabens and uses vitamins C and E to make dark spots less visible. To boost the appearance of your skin, the antioxidant-rich formula also contains hyaluronic acid, konjac root powder, and chamomile extract.
Key Features:
- Antioxidant properties
- Improves skin complexion
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
Price: $34 for 30ml
6. Dark Spot Corrector by Olay, Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream, and Sun Spot Remover
This cream may help in removing the dark spots and discolorations in 8 weeks. In addition, it restores the healthy-looking and youthful glow on the skin. Massage the moisturizing cream into your skin after cleansing. Use it twice a day: morning and at night. It can be used for various skin tones.
Key Features:
- Skin looks visibly younger in 2 weeks
- Fades dark spots in 8 weeks.
- Hydrating, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing formula
Price: $24.51 for 48g.
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Side effects of Creams
These creams contain a high amount of hydroquinone. The following are some of the most common side effects of hydroquinone:
- Irritation and sensitization of the skin (burning, stinging)
- Dermatitis is a skin condition that affects people
- Lack of moisture
- Redness
- An inflammatory response occurs
- A buildup of fluid around the eye
- Swelling of the throat
- Sense of constriction in the throat
- A wound on the skin
- Hives
- Superficial skin ulcer
- puffy face due to water accumulation
The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery recommends against scrubbing your skin aggressively and suggests not to use lemon juice on the skin as it may worsen the dark spots.
Some skin-lightening items contain mercury or steroids, which can be harmful to the skin and overall health. Using these over a period of time can lead to pimples, rashes, and delicate skin.
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Summary
Dark spots may lead to low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Many creams are available in the market to treat these unwanted spots. You can treat them at home through natural remedies too. Though dark spots are probably nothing to be concerned about, keep in mind that changes in skin color can often be a sign of cancer. On physical examination, your primary care physician or a dermatologist will help you detect dark spots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is Hyperpigmentation of the Skin?
Hyperpigmentation is characterized by an abundance of melanin in the skin, which causes it to look darker and blotchy in some areas. Actinic lentigines or sun spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and Melasma are the most common types of this skin disease.
How Do I Make Hyperpigmentation Marks Disappear More Quickly?
There are professional-grade skincare products that contain ingredients to treat hyperpigmentation at home. However, topical treatments can take a long time to show results and aren’t as effective in lightening the area of discoloration.
What Are the Most Common Therapies for Hyperpigmentation?
The Laser Spectra Peel is one of these therapies. In this therapy, high-energy pulsing lasers are used to safely and effectively remove dark spots on the skin. It can also remove age spots, birthmarks, angiomas, and broken capillaries. After the therapy, you will have a clear and even skin tone.
Can Aloe Vera clear dark spots?
Yes, aloe vera may help in clearing dark spots on the skin. Aloe vera contains aloin which is a natural depigmenting compound. It lightens the skin and is a good nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment. Apply aloe vera gel on the skin before bedtime. In the morning, rinse it with lukewarm water.
References –
- “Dark spots on the skin: Causes and how to treat them” – medicalnewstoday.com
- “Unmasking the causes and treatments of melasma” – health.harvard.edu
- “Drug-induced skin pigmentation. Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “DIABETES: 12 WARNING SIGNS THAT APPEAR ON YOUR SKIN” – aad.org
- “Clinical efficacy of liposome-encapsulated” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
