Every one of us has suffered from some sort of skin condition, whether it’s acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, sunspots or hyperpigmentation. If you’re no stranger to these skin conditions, then you might also be familiar with skin discoloration.
Skin discoloration is a skin condition characterized by patches that appear on your skin in different colors or tones. Even though it’s quite widespread, it’s important to be aware that it can be a symptom of one of the following: certain illnesses, hormonal changes, increased inflammation in the body and changes in melanin (the substance that gives your skin color).
So, you might be wondering whether there’s a natural cure for skin discoloration. Luckily for us, there are a few remedies that can help with this particular condition, both at home and in a dermatologist’s office.
There are a few things you can do in order to reduce the risk of getting discoloration in the future. Make sure you have a proper skincare regimen that you follow closely, one that consists of certain acids (see below) or retinol-A which will help shed the dead skin layers and leave you with healthy and glowing skin. It’s crucial to maintain a balanced diet and work out often, which will help manage your stress levels. There are also a couple of homemade skin spots treatment options you could try such as honey, aloe Vera gel or lemon juice.
Let’s see which skin treatments out there provide the best results for skin discoloration.
You’ve probably heard about chemical peels quite a few times. Chemical peels are a very popular method of dealing with discoloration and hyperpigmentation. As the name suggests, they contain mostly chemical acids such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid. They serve as a harsher exfoliant meant to rejuvenate the skin quickly.
Your skin will need from four to seven days to recover after undergoing a light chemical peel treatment.
Lasers offer a variety of benefits for the skin. On top of being great for discoloration, they can also help with acne and other chronic skin conditions. IPL (intense pulse light) and ActiveFX are some of the best laser treatments for discoloration.
This treatment is very successful in getting rid of discoloration. It uses small crystals in order to gently exfoliate the skin without damaging the skin tissue. Because it draws out any impurities and oil from the pores, it’s also extremely effective in fighting acne. The outer layer of skin is removed, leaving your skin rejuvenated, healed and dewy.
Since it’s not very abrasive, it’s best to use it for milder cases of discoloration. The recovery time is around two weeks.
Yes, the term for this treatment sounds terrifying, but it’s not far from the truth. If you don’t like needles, then you can skip this treatment. It basically consists of a steel roller that contains fine needles puncturing the top layer of skin. This treatment makes the body produce more collagen and elastin, which give your skin elasticity, firmness and a youthful appearance. Usually, microneedling is combined with topical creams and serums in order to get the best result.
Your skin should return back to normal after four to six weeks.
No skincare routine is complete without a topical cream. If you suffer from discoloration, opt for a retinol-A product, one that contains vitamin C, hydroquinone or kojic acid.
Sunspots are patches of discolored skin that usually appear as a result of overexposure to the sun. Those who have fair skin tones are more prone to getting them. Sunspots can also be caused by excessive melanin production, sunburns, and sun allergies. Although they can be hard to cover, it’s not something you should worry about. But if you’re not wearing sunscreen regularly and you have sunspots, you should take them as a sign to start protecting yourself from the sun on a regular basis.
There are a couple of different homemade remedies you can try in order to get rid of sunspots. Most of these ingredients you probably already have at home.
Since lemon has lightening properties, it can help lighten up these areas. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on the spots two times a day. You will start to notice your spots fading after a couple of weeks.
Vitamin E oil is known to help hyperpigmentation and sunspots. Since it boosts collagen production, it will speed up the recovery of your sunspots. Simply put a few drops of vitamin oil on the sunspots and leave it overnight. You can also use a crushed vitamin E pill and dissolve it in water. (link)
Aloe Vera is an amazing ingredient when it comes to skin damage caused by the sun. All you need to do is apply an aloe Vera gel on your spots a couple of times a day.
Creams that contain acids such as hydroxyl acid and glycolic acid are remarkable for treating sunspots. These usually work quicker than home remedies and will remove the sunspots with regular use.
Check out this amazing pore purifying toner which will keep any discoloration away in the future.
You could also try more abrasive treatments like lasers, cryotherapy, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels
People with dark skin are also at risk of developing sunspots. It’s up to you whether you choose to go with the natural, homemade remedies or go to a professional and get a harsher treatment such as lasers or peels.
Remember, preventing sunspots is a lot easier than treating them, so make sure you don’t leave the house without a proper SPF, even on cloudy days. Wearing sunscreen is crucial for every skin tone and it will help you preserve healthy and youthful skin.
Hyperpigmentation can be very tricky to deal with. However, there are a couple of ingredients that work like magic! Here are a few dark spots treatment options that will brighten your skin effectively.
Vitamins are very important for our health, all of us know that. But did you know that applying certain vitamins like vitamin A, C and E can speed up the recovery of hyperpigmentation? For best results, use vitamin E and C oils interchangeably on the skin. When it comes to vitamin A, choosing a retinol cream does wonders for refreshing and exfoliating the skin.
You could also try skincare products with Glutathione aid melanin production.
Lemon juice is another great option for those that prefer natural treatments. Due to the citric acid, lemons brighten your skin and treat hyperpigmentation. Apply a few drops of lemon juice on the area and wash it off after 5-10 minutes. If you have sensitive skin, combine lemon juice with water and then apply it on the skin.
Turmeric is widely known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It can work wonders on people who suffer from hyperpigmentation. While there are some topical products that contain curcumin, you can easily make a quick, DIY mask at home. The only things you’ll need are turmeric and water. Put one tablespoon of turmeric in a bowl and apply water so that you make a paste. Apply this mixture on your face and let it sit for around 20 minutes. After you’re done, wash your face thoroughly and proceed with your regular skincare.
For people with darker skin, melanin production increases when their skin suffers a pimple, cut or any irritation as a defense mechanism. This can result in hyperpigmentation and dark spots if not treated properly.
Retinoid, glycolic acid, and hydroquinone are the ingredients you want to look for. these will regenerate your skin and heal the hyperpigmentation in no time. Be careful when using them though, since they can cause some side-effects like burning, irritation, and redness.
As mentioned before, it’s much easier to prevent a skin condition than to treat it. In order to prevent hyperpigmentation, avoid picking at your skin at all costs. It can lead to scarring and permanent marks on the area.
Also, make sure you apply sunscreen regularly and multiple times per day, even if you live in a colder climate.
Living a healthy lifestyle is also important. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables so you get your daily recommendations of vitamins and minerals, exercise regularly and manage your stress levels.
This particular type of honey moisturizes the skin and speeds up the recovery time. It’s also incredibly effective for revealing the skin and getting rid of dark spots. The most effective way is to use it as a spot treatment. Dip one cotton ball into Manuka honey and apply it on any places that have hyperpigmentation. Let it sit for a couple of hours and then wash it off with water.
There are a couple of factors that can contribute to the appearance of discoloration, like stress, certain illnesses, environmental pollutants, and previous skin problems. It might take some time to disappear, but it’s totally possible to heal skin discoloration. You just need to be patient and persistent.