Get Rid Dark Spots Face: Home Remedies For Black Spots on Face | Skin Blemishes

By Patricia | June 15, 2009

How to get rid of dark spots on face: I have several black spots on face. Is there any home remedies?

Spots on face could occur due to various reasons. Continuous sun exposure is one of the most common causes of dark spots on the face. The skin cells known as melanocytes are responsible for producing the pigment, melanin. This pigment gives the skin its color. It is also helpful in protecting the skin from the adverse effects of the ultraviolet rays of the sun. When the melanin absorbs the sun rays and prevents it from penetrating the deeper layers of the skin, tanning occurs. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to a concentration of the pigment and this, in turn, causes dark to occur on the face. Dark spots may also occur due to ageing, hormonal imbalances, intake of birth control pills, stress, liver disease or pregnancy.

In order to prevent the appearance of black spots on the face, one must protect the skin from sun exposure. Sunscreen must be applied at least thirty minutes before going outdoors in order for it to take effect. It is advisable to use a sunscreen with an SPF or sun protection factor above 30. Natural remedies also help to get rid of dark spots on face. To lighten spots on the face, apply a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice to the affected area. Both these ingredients have natural bleaching properties and help to remove blemishes. The mixture may be kept on overnight and washed off the next morning with lukewarm water. Potato can also be used to lighten dark spots. Rub a slice of potato on the face or apply a facial mask made of grated potato and honey. One of the most popular home remedies for black spots on the face is a paste of rose water and sandalwood. This is beneficial for lightening spots and also helps to improve the complexion. The juice of a red onion may also be used to get rid of dark spots on face. Dab a small amount of the juice on the spots using a cotton swab and then wash after 10 minutes. A face pack made with yogurt and dried orange peel is also known to be effective in removing dark spots on the face.

Many individuals also go in for a procedure known as microdermabrasion in order to get rid of dark spots on the face. During this procedure, abrasion of the skin is caused using microscopic crystal particles. This is a non-invasive procedure, but can be quite expensive. One also needs to have a proper consultation before having this procedure done.

The black spots on your face are in no way dangerous unless they are causing you pain and are increasing in size. The most likely cause of the black spots is a condition called liver spots, and it is a part of the natural aging process of the skin. With skin exposure to ultraviolet light, it ages a bit at every exposure. At some point, the skin is unable to regenerate itself and blemish form on the topmost layer of the skin that causes an accumulation of melanin in that area. These spots might start out as a brown spot but turn darker to a shade of black with time, depending on the amount of oxidized skin pigment present at the spot.

Some of the home remedies that you could use to get rid of  dark spots on face are:

  • Keep your skin protected from the harmful rays of the sun. This implies that you wear full length clothes or apply a good sunscreen lotion whenever you move out of your home in the mornings.
  • You could try exfoliating your skin with a lime and sugar granules. Slice a lime and rub it over your face. Allow the juice to soak into your skin for around five minutes, after this take the sugar granules and rub them in a circular motion on your facial skin. This has two effects, it will help exfoliate the dead skin cells on your face and secondly it will increase the blood circulation in the area thus improving the texture of the newly exposed skin. Repeat this procedure at least twice a week.

However you must note that home remedies can only help you lighten your skin tone or blemishes. If you want permanent effects the following are the methods you could choose from:  The treatments for liver spots include medical applications that contain active ingredients like hydroquinone or Tretinoin. Both of these work by gradual use. They tend to fade the spot out a little at a time until they are barely visible. Laser therapy is also a treatment method and it works by destroying the pigment-producing cells in the area called melanocytes. This is probably the most effective treatment as it eliminates the possibility of melanin (the skin pigment) re forming in that area. There is also a therapy available called cryotherapy. This treatment uses the principle of freezing. An application of liquid nitrogen to the area effectively kills that part of the skin. As the skin heals, the new skin is devoid of the blemish and the melanin. Dermabrasion is another technique. This is more painful and works by removing the top layer of the skin where the spot is. When the skin heals, just as in the case of laser therapy, the new skin will be free of blemishes .This also a type of therapy used in removing scar tissue. The last form of therapy, called the chemical peel. This method also uses the principle of skin destruction. In this method, the blemished skin burns off after applying an acid. Again, on healing, the skin is blemish-free.

As mentioned before, these treatments are only as effective as the amount of care you take to avoid exposure to the sun. Therefore, you need to cover up completely when you venture out in the sun and even on cloudy days, you should shield yourself from ultraviolet radiation.