Skin pigmentation means discoloration of the skin. It is a skin disorder in which it develops darker patches and color on the skin. This is a common problem faced by both men and women. The color of the skin, hair, and eyes are due to the production of melanin in the body.
Melanin is produced by the cells melanocytes. When these cells become damaged, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders create patches on the skin and others affect the entire body. Generally, dark color skin people have more melanin than light color skin people. When melanin forms deposit in the skin it causes pigmentation.
There are two types of pigmentation: Hyperpigmentation, and Hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a normal and harmless condition in which the skin becomes darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. While in hypopigmentation there is loss of skin color due to disease or trauma and can be by birth or develop later in life.
Causes of pigmentation
Pigmentation can be caused by:
- Sun damage
- Skin Inflammation or irritation
- Other skin injuries
- Skin infection(Acne vulgaris)
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy
- Certain medications
- Skin Rashes
UV rays are the biggest culprits that trigger melanin’s over-production. However, damage from UV rays does not appear immediately.
A common type of hyperpigmentation that is seen in many people are:
Age Spots: This is the most common type of pigmentation and is a result of sun damage. They are often found in the areas exposed to the sun.
Melasma: There is yet another type of hyperpigmentation which is characteristic of spots that are similar to the age spots but cover a large area on the skin. These spots mostly appear due to hormonal changes. For example, during pregnancy, hormones can cause excess secretion of melanin and can cause blackening of the skin.
Freckles: It is also a type of pigmentation that occurs due to exposure to the sun and appears on the area of your face and shoulders as small dots and spots.
Natural remedies to treat skin pigmentation
People with darker skin color are more prone to hyperpigmentation, especially with more sun exposure. Whatever be the cause, there is always a way to reduce or remove pigmentation.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid helps in decreasing the melanin deposit and lighten the skin pigmentation.
Ingredients:
- One tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- One tablespoon water
- Cotton Balls
How to use:
- Mix the apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl
- Dip the cotton balls into the mixture and apply it all over the affected area. Leave it on for two to three minutes or until it has completely dried.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this remedy twice daily.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains alloin that has skin lightening properties. It also soothes the skin and gives an even skin tone.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel
- One tablespoon of honey
How to Use:
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl.
- Keep the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Apply it all over the affected area. Let it dry for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
Green Tea
Green tea extract has a depigmenting effect on the skin. It inhibits the enzyme that causes decoloration of the skin.
Ingredients
- One green tea bag
- One cup of water
How to use
- Boil the water in a pan and pour it in a cup.
- Dip the green tea bag in the hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the bag and let it cool down.
- Rub the tea bag on the affected area.
- Repeat this twice daily.
Red Onion
It is an ingredient of many commercial skin brightening creams. Red onion is very effective in lightening the skin color and scars. It has skin lightening and brightening properties.
Ingredients
One red onion
How to Use:
- Cut the onion into slices.
- Take an onion slice and rub it on the affected area.
- Let the onion juice dry for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash it with lukewarm water.
- You may even grate the onion, squeeze out the juice, and apply it on your skin.
- Repeat this treatment twice daily.
Licorice Extract
It inhibits melanin biosynthesis to reduce hyperpigmentation.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 medium-sized licorice roots
- 2 cups of Water
- Spray bottle
How to use
- Pour water in a pan and add roots to it.
- Boil the roots for 10 minutes on medium flame.
- Let the water cool down.
- Store it in a spray bottle.
- Put it twice a day in the form of toner.
Black Tea
It is used to lighten the dark spots on the skin.
Ingredients
- 2 cup of water
- Black tea leaves
How to use
- Add a tablespoon of fresh black tea leaves in a cup of boiling distilled water.
- Stand up for two hours and add stress to remove the leaves.
- Soak a cotton ball in tea water and apply it to areas of hyperpigmentation, twice a day.
- Repeat in every six days.
Milk
Milk contains lactic acid, which is often used to make the skin shiny and white in chemical peels. It has also been found that lactic acid can be used to treat melasma.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon of milk
- Cotton balls
How to use
- Soak the cotton balls in milk.
- Slowly rub it on the affected area.
- Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then wash it with lukewarm water.
- Repeat twice daily.
Red lentils(masoor dal)
Red lentils are rich in antioxidants that are considered to be good for the skin.
Ingredients
- 10gm Red Lentils
- 2 cup of water
How to use
- Soak 50 grams masoor dal in a bowl of water overnight.
- Use blender or food processor to make a good paste.
- Apply the paste to your face equally and leave it for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water and dry your skin with a towel.
Tomato
Tomato is rich in lycopene. Lycopene protects the skin against short-term and long-term aspects of photodamage.
Ingredients
- 1 Tomato
How to use
- Slice the tomatoes.
- Rub it to the affected place.
- Let it dry for 10 minutes.
- Wash it with cold water.
- Repeat it twice daily.
Orange Peel
The orange peel extract can reduce melanin deposits, erase black spots and make your skin bright.
Ingredients
- 1 orange peel
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
How to use
- Orange peel for 3-4 days or until it gets completely dry.
- Grate the orange peel in fine powder.
- Mix the remaining ingredients with the powder.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area.
- Leave it for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash it with lukewarm water.
- Repeat it three times a week.
Orchid extracts
According to research orchid extracts are just as effective as vitamin c hyperpigmentation remedies. Orchis-rich skin on the skin for eight weeks improved the size and appearance of dark patches.
Natural ingredients usually have no major side effects unless you are allergic to them or have irritation in the skin. They are safe but it may take time to show results. If your condition is serious, and you want quick results, then you can opt for medical treatment.
Medical Treatment for Skin Pigmentation
The treatment you do depends on the cause of your hyperpigmentation. If it is due to other health issues, treating the underlying problem may help to reduce pigmentation. Consult a doctor who can recommend better treatment options available.
Treatments include:
- Chemical peel
- Laser resurfacing
- Cryotherapy
- Microdermabrasion
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment
- Topical creams (corticosteroids, hydroquinone, retinoids, vitamin C, etc.)
Preventing unwanted skin darkening is the first step to avoiding hyperpigmentation in the future. You need to take good care of your skin and limit sun exposure. Here are some tips you can follow to prevent skin pigmentation.
Some tips to prevent skin pigmentation
Use Sun Protection Everyday
Exposure to UV rays triggers sun spots, age spots, dark patches, and hyperpigmentation. Never forget to apply sunscreen lotion on all exposed areas. Excessive sun exposure activates the melanin production system, and a good sunscreen helps prevent that.
Apply Anti-Inflammatory Skin Care Products
Whether it’s acne or dermatitis, skin inflammation often leaves behind marks that are tough to erase later and eventually make your skin look dark and pigmented. Let your skin heal by using anti-inflammatory skincare products.
Eat healthy food
A healthy and balanced diet keeps your skin and body healthy. Your body can use the vitamins and nutrients derived from the diet to trigger faster healing.
Almost all of us have some form of hyperpigmentation. These natural ways will help minimize their appearance and any future damage. If you have ignored those spots all these days, it’s time you tried out these remedies.
Natural treatments of Pigmentation are always giving you the best remedies than any medicinal treatments. Because the side effects of natural treatment are very less. Yes! It might be possible, you have to use it for a long time but the result of the cure is more than 75%.