How to get rid of hyperpigmentation / dark spots

Do you have dark spots or pigmentation marks on your face that don’t seem to fade away? Do you constantly worry about these dark spots and find yourself covering them with make-up every time you head out? If you relate well with these situations, then it’s time to understand your skin better and identify a lasting solution to get rid of your dark spots.

Every problem has a root cause, and it’s essential to get to the bottom of the condition to treat it. So, let’s begin by understanding why your skin develops dark spots.

You may have heard about a natural pigment called melanin that’s present in the skin. This particular pigment is responsible for the colour of the skin, eyes, and even your hair. It’s incredible how one pigment is responsible for so much diversity in the physical appearance of people across the globe! Every single person has the same number of cells that produce melanin known as melanocytes. It’s the difference in how these cells behave that result in different coloured skin among people.

But providing the colour of our skin, eyes, and even hair isn’t the only purpose of melanin.

It also protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Whenever your skin is exposed to the sun, the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) increase their production of melanin. And sometimes, they go into overdrive, producing more melanin than usual, resulting in dark spots.

Another problem that’s closely linked with dark spots is skin pigmentation. So, let’s understand what skin pigmentation is and how it is related to dark spots. Later in this article, we’ll explore the causes of dark spots on the face and body and list some natural remedies to get rid of dark spots. In the end, we will be looking at some preventive measures to reduce the appearance of such dark spots. Let’s get started.

What is skin pigmentation?

Often, we hear people using terms such as skin pigmentation or hyperpigmentation. These terms are commonly used interchangeably with dark spots. But, are they the same thing or is there a difference between the two?

Skin pigmentation or hyperpigmentation is a broader term used to describe dark spots or patches or even general darkening of the skin. The melanin pigment responsible for giving us our skin colour is usually evenly distributed in the skin. We’ve talked about how dark spots occur when certain parts of the skin produce more melanin than the rest. This can happen due to various factors such as exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays or even due to hormones. Dark spots are just one form of skin pigmentation and we’ll be talking about them at length in this article.

How to get rid of dark spots?

We have already understood the meaning of dark spots and their causes. Now we have come to the most important part of this article, where we’ll discuss how to remove dark spots from the skin. Let’s start by looking at various home remedies to treat dark spots.

Remedies To Treat Pigmentation Or Dark Spots

Turmeric

Turmeric has been used in skincare in every Indian household. Combine two teaspoons of Turmeric with curd and besan and make a thick paste out of it. Apply it on the skin as a face pack and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry.

Develop healthy skincare habits

As with any other problem, even with dark spots, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Here are some tips to prevent the appearance of dark spots on the skin:

Use sunscreen at all times. Good sun screening habits can prevent the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation. Make sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 20. Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours.

Eat healthily! A balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle can promote healthy skin and prevent the appearance of dark spots and other skin conditions. Eat fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamins and Minerals.

Taking nutritional supplements can be an excellent way to substitute for the deficiencies in your diet. Vitamin C supplements and other antioxidants can be bought over the counter.

Quit smoking. Studies have found that smoking cigarettes may have a direct correlation to breakouts on the skin.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses while under the sun to protect your skin further from sun damage.