Dark spots on the face which might occur as dark patches are formed on the skin due to the increased production of melanin, a skin pigment. This condition can be caused due to various reasons that include, acne, aging, over exposure to UV rays, skin disease as well as hormonal imbalances in women due to pregnancy certain medications, vitamin deficiencies, lack of sleep and too much stress. Dark or black spots are relatively harmless apart from looking unsightly, particularly if they occur on the face.
Dark spots and patches on the face can be embarrassing and even lead to low self-esteem. Luckily, there are many possible treatments, such as acid peels and laser surgeries. Natural homemade remedies can also effectively lighten the dark spots and other blemishes successfully. Not only are home remedies inexpensive, but you can also be sure of no side effects.
Here are few Home Remedies for Black Spots on Face
Aloe vera has many healing properties and is a great natural dark spot corrector.
Apply aloe vera juice or gel directly on dark patches and black spots. Gently massage the area with your fingertips for a few minutes. Repeat this once or twice daily for a few weeks to fade skin discolorations. If it becomes messy, use a clean cloth soaked in warm water to remove the mask. Follow this treatment once or twice a week.
Lemon Juice
A quick and easy solution can be found in your kitchen or your nearest grocery store — lemon juice. Lemons have vitamin C that can lighten dark spots on your face. It’s easy to apply.
Put some fresh lemon juice on a cotton ball and rub it directly on the affected skin area.
Allow it to dry and then wash it off with plain water.
Continue applying for at least two weeks to get the desired result. If you have delicate or sensitive skin, you can dilute the lemon juice with plain water, rosewater, or honey. You can also use lime juice to get rid of black spots.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is also beneficial in getting rid of dark spots. Like lemon juice, it also helps fade blemishes and black spots but without causing burning sensation.
Take four teaspoons of buttermilk. Add two teaspoons of fresh tomato juice. Mix the two ingredients (both have excellent bleaching properties) and then apply and wash it off after 15 minutes.
The lactic acid in milk too, will gradually reduce skin pigmentation, and brighten and tone your overall skin complexion. So, if you do not have buttermilk, simply apply soak a cotton ball in milk and dab it directly on your spots. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash it off Put milk on a cotton ball and dab it directly on your spots. Repeat this procedure twice daily for four to five weeks.
You can also prepare a solution by mixing milk and honey and apply the solution to your dark spots, leaving it on for 10 minutes.
Almonds
Take 8-10 almonds and soak them in milk overnight. Peel off the skin and grind the almonds in the morning. Now, add one teaspoon sandalwood powder and half a teaspoon honey in it. Mix them to make a fine paste. Apply it on your face and leave it for about 30 minutes and then wash it off.
Turmeric is another popular skin-lightening agent that can be used to get rid of black spots on your face. It is also effective for quickly removing sun spots and age spots.Make a thick paste of turmeric, milk and lemon juice. Apply it to the skin where there are black spots.
Leave it for a few minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Another option is to make a paste of turmeric, honey and olive oil and gently massage it into the affected skin area. Leave it on until it completely dries and then wash the area with water.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal powder is considered good for skin exfoliation. Hence, you can apply an oatmeal mask on your face and neck to remove dead skin and black spots.
Grind half a cup of rolled oats. Add three to four tablespoons of lemon juice to make a paste.
Scrub it on your skin and wash it off with warm water when it dries. If it becomes messy, use a clean cloth soaked in warm water to remove the mask. Follow this treatment once or twice a week.
The enzymes in papaya can help even out skin tone and aid in fading black spots. For example, papaya contains papain, an enzyme that exfoliates the skin encouraging production of new, fresher-looking skin. There are two ways that you can use papaya.
Apply the pulp of ripe papaya to the skin and leave it on for about 20 minutes; then rinse it off.
Another option is to grate green papaya and add lime juice to it. Apply this mixture to black spots and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off. You can also use papaya skin as an excellent scrub for knees and elbows.
Sandalwood
Make a thick paste of sandalwood powder, glycerin and rose water. (If you don’t have rose water, you can use milk or honey.) Apply the thick paste to the affected skin area, leaving it on for a few minutes. Wash off the paste with lukewarm water.
Follow this remedy once daily until your black spots vanish completely.
Potato
Your vegetable drawer is another source of home remedies for black spots or dark patches. Potatoes can be applied in one of the two ways:
Slice up a potato and place one slice directly on the black spots; leave on for a few minutes and then wash your face with lukewarm water.
You can also make a face mask by combining grated potato with honey. Some people have also had success using tomatoes to get rid of dark black spots within a few weeks.
Onion Juice
Prepare Onion juice using a juicer, blender or grater. Dip a clean cotton swab into fresh onion juice and dab it directly on the affected skin area and allow it to dry naturally.
Another option is to apply a combination of one tablespoon of onion juice and two tablespoons of honey on the spots for about 20 minutes. If you have oily skin, you can add some vinegar in the solution as well.
Vitamin E oil and castor oil, too, are useful in getting rid of black spots.
Important notes:
Depending on a number of factors, these home remedies may only help to lighten the color of facial spots and not remove them. For more conventional therapies, you should consult a dermatologist.
New spots or skin variations may need to be examined by a physician to ensure they are not due to a more serious health condition.
