Skin Pigmentation: Overview, and Natural Home Remedies

Overview

We all have noticed unusual dark spots on our faces and discolouration in various areas of the body. These are the signs of skin pigmentation causes often called hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation is seen due to an increase in the production of melatonin by the pineal glands in our body. Melatonin is responsible for the skin colour we possess.

Hyperpigmentation is a condition that causes our skin to darken and creates dark spots. It can even cause dark patches all over the body.

Skin pigmentation is a medical condition but is usually harmless. Reasons for pigmentation on the face, are mainly due to exposure to the sun for a long time, excessive hormonal imbalance in the body, and also there are some medications that are prime skin pigmentation causes.

Skin pigmentation causes

Sunlight poses to be the most common skin pigmentation cause. Usually, 60-80% of skin discolouration is caused due to sunlight.

Several other factors lead to discolouration of skin colour which includes:

• Pregnancy (due to hormonal imbalance)
• Medicines (especially the drugs used for chemotherapy)
• Trauma
• Irritation in the skin (maybe due to allergic reactions)
• Endocrine diseases; like Addison’s disease
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Melasma (skin disorder that causes dark patches)

Home remedies for pigmentation

After looking at the several skin pigmentation causes, now let us explore several home remedies for pigmentation of the skin.

1. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is rich in “Alloin” which is a natural depigmentation agent which is effective in lightening the skin and works well as a non-toxic pigmentation treatment at home.

Also, since skin pigmentation causes itching and irritation in the skin, aloe vera is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that helps to subside these symptoms as well.

How to use aloe vera for skin pigmentation treatment?

• Extract fresh aloe vera juice from the leaf of the aloe vera plant.
• Apply this pure freshly extracted aloe gel to the affected sites where you notice dark spots.
• Leave it on the skin for over a night
• Rinse with warm water in the morning when you wake up.
• Repeat the same procedure until you notice the dark spots lighten.

2. Masoor Dal

Try to blend masoor dal into a thin paste and use it as a face mask.

Masoor dal face mask is rich in “Red lentils” which is a popular pigmentation treatment.

Ways to make your own Masoor dal face mask:

• Soak 40-50 gm of masoor dal in water, overnight
• Blend this into a thin paste
• Apply this paste to the skin for about half an hour
• Rinse with fresh/cold water

3. Green tea extracts

Green tea extracts help in the depigmentation of skin when applied over dark spots. These extracts are widely available in the market and can also be prepared at home.

If you would like to try green tea extracts for skin pigmentation treatment, follow the given steps:

• Take a green tea bag and place it in warm water for 5 to 8 minutes
• Now remove the tea bag from the warm water and let it cool for some time
• Place and rub the teabag in the areas affected with dark spots all over the face and body
• Repeat the same technique two times a day 

4. Milk

Dairy products like milk, sour milk, and even buttermilk are effective in lowering the skin pigmentation causes.

All dairy products have lactic acid which is widely used for skin pigmentation treatment.

5. Black tea water

Applying black tea water, twice a day for 2 to 4 weeks works wonders for pigmentation treatment at home.

To try this home remedy for the treatment of dark spots, follow the given steps:

• Take a tablespoon of fresh tea leaves and add to boiling water
• Let it steep for 2 hours and then strain the water to remove the leaves
• Now, take a cotton ball and soak it in tea water, apply it to the areas where dark spots are noticeable 
• This process is repeated twice a day

6. Apple cider vinegar

Now that we are well aware that skin pigmentation causes dark spots, apple cider vinegar oil works wonder when used for the treatment of the same.

They are rich in acetic acid that shows beneficial effects in lighting the skin.

To use this remedy, follow the given steps:

• Take apple cider vinegar and water in a container in equal proportion
• Apply this on your dark patches and leave for 3-4 minutes
• Use lukewarm water to rinse
• For the best results, repeat this method two to three times daily.

Also Read-Skin allergy, its causes and natural home remedies

Is skin pigmentation preventable?

Skin pigmentation causes intense itching and allergic reactions at times, no one likes them!

But what if you start to get these dark hyperpigmented spots at some time in your life?

Are they curable?

Basically, a lot of pigmentation spots are preventable, ensure applying good sunblock agents before moving out on a sunny day.

Sunscreen blocks the harmful sun rays affecting the skin and acts as a protective shield from harmful radiations.

Exposure to UV rays, boost melanin production which is the body’s defence mechanism when we are exposed to UV rays for a long duration of time.

Hence Melanin protects our skin from developing dark spots frequently.

Medical treatment for hyperpigmentation

Depending on several skin pigmentation causes, medical treatment may be involved if home remedies do not work well for the treatment.

The several medical treatment options available include:

• Laser resurfacing
• Microdermabrasion
• Cryotherapy
• IPL (Intense pulsed light)
• Chemical peels

Mainly hyperpigmentation is a cosmic concern rather than a medical concern.

Also, speak to your doctor if the hyperpigmentation spots don’t go away even after trying home remedies, as these pigmented lesions can also mark underlying causes of several diseases as well.

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