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Get Rid of Dark Skin Patches and Correct Skin Tone

Dark skin patches can show up on most anyone and can affect different areas of the skin at any given time.

Saying that dark discoloration’s can make you feel uncomfortable and uneasy about your appearance, is a total understatement.

They can make you feel isolated, freakish, or unattractive. If not treated, your self image can suffer major blows. Of course, it all depends on the visibility of the patch. The more visible it is to others, the more unnerving it can be!

melasma image

The Cause of Dark Skin Patches

Medically speaking, dark patches of skin are called hyper-pigmentation. It is typically a harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the surrounding skin. Its triggered when an excesses of melanin, (the brown pigment that produces skin tone and your tan), form deposits on certain areas of your skin. It can affect a wide variety of people of any race.

Types of Dark Skin Patches

Age or liver spots are a common form of dark skin patches. These typically are a result of sun damage, and are referred to by doctors as 'solar lentigines'. These small, dark skin patches are usually found on the hands, face, or other areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun.

Melasma or Chloasma spots are similar in appearance to age spots but cover larger areas of your skin and most often are a result of hormonal changes. Melasma may result from pregnancy, birth control pills, cosmetics, hormone therapy, phototoxic drugs (leave your skin more susceptible to light damage), antiseizure medications, and sun exposure. In pregnancy, its called a ‘mask of pregnancy’, which is by the way quite normal for women with dark hair and skin. The problem is getting rid of it once you’ve had your child! Dark skin may fade on its own over time, if you stay out of the sun and/or use sunblocks regularly. Mask of pregnancy can appear on the face, abdomen, and other areas of the body.

Women who take birth control pills may also develop the condition because there are similar kinds of hormonal changes as those that occur during pregnancy. If you are really bothered by the hyper-pigmentation, simply stop taking your birth control pills and the condition should reverse.

Changes in skin color can also result from other conditions. For example, acne may leave dark areas after pimples disappear. Other causes are injuries to the skin that form scabs, including some surgeries.

Freckles are small brown spots that can appear anywhere on your body, but are most common on the face and arms of fair skinned people. Freckles can also be genetically inherited.

Freckles, age spots, and other darkened skin patches can become more pronounced when your skin is exposed to the sun regularly, without sun protection. The melanin in your skin works hard to protect your skin by absorbing the energy of the sun's harmful UV rays. If you want to avoid dark patches of skin, wearing a sunscreen is a must-have. The sunscreen should be broad spectrum, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays. A single day of excess sun can undo months of treatment.

It is best to try to lighten skin discolorations during the fall and winter months, when you are (most probably) not out in the sun as much. Trying to get rid of dark skin patches in the summer months when the sun is high in the sky is self defeating at best. It’s best to try getting rid of them in the off seasons because getting out in the sun can quickly reverse the efforts you’ve made. Its not recommended to use Alpha Hydroxy Acids in the summer months either. It’s best to use any treatment or remedy when sun exposure won't be an issue!

Dark skin can also be caused by a yeast or fungus present on the skin.

Fungus

Dark skin patches may be caused by a superficial fungus infection that young people are especially susceptible to catching, but is noncontagious. These usually cover larger areas of the skin and may result in areas on the body that are not exposed to the sun.

Treatment - Try applying Selsun Blue shampoo to the dark spots. Allow it to dry completely and leave it on overnight, washing it off thoroughly in the morning. Repeat this for 7 days. If it doesn't clear up, see your physician.

Yeast

If you have dark patches under your arm, groin, on other areas of your body, you may have a yeast infection. Ask your doctor to treat the yeast infection with Diflucan. Use this method for best results.

This method was given to me by a good friend who also happens to be a doctor. Another physician she knows told her that this method works best to remove yeast infections. There is something in Pepsi that expedites the Diflucan to work more efficiently. Exercise is necessary to work the combination (Pepsi and Diflucan) through your body. Sweating is necessary for the yeast to completely leave through the pores of your skin. Although this treatment may seem a bit ‘out there’, it worked for me when I had Versicolor, so don’t knock it until you try it!

Treatment – Shower and take one Diflucan pill on an empty stomach. Drink one 16 ounce Pepsi (not diet but full sugar) cola after you take it. Exercise vigorously (working up a good sweat) for at least 30 minutes. Do not shower for at least 24 hours.

You should start noticing visible results very soon!

In case you have some areas of dark skin that you’d like to eliminate, here are some simple home remedies that you can do to lighten and brighten your skin tone to produce a lighter color of skin. Most of them must be done regularly for best results.

Home Remedies for Dark Skin Patches

Mix 1 T of powdered milk, 1 T of honey, 1 T of lemon juice, and 1/2 T of almond oil. Apply to your skin and wash off after 10-15 minutes. This remedy enhances your complexion and helps to remove dark skin patches due to excess melanin.

Mix oatmeal with *soy bean curd and tomato juice and apply on the face. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. It helps lighten the skin.

What is soy bean curd? There are two basic types of bean curd.

Japanese - The first is silken, also called Japanese style tofu. This type of bean curd tends to fall apart as it is worked with, which makes it a great choice for rice dishes or stir fry. It is also used in vegan baked goods.

Chinese - Chinese style tofu is firm, and will hold its shape as it is worked with and cooked.

In some places, Chinese style tofu is also called bean curd, while Japanese style is called tofu. (Look on the package when you buy it to sort out any confusion.)

Rub sliced raw potato slices over your dark skin patches. It helps reduce blemishes and other discolorations.

Mix tumeric powder a few drops of lime juice into a paste. Lime juice is natural bleach.

Dried orange peels mixed with soy bean curd reduce blemishes and scars that have left dark skin patches. Wash off this mixture with cold water after 15 minutes.

Soak 4 almonds in water overnight. Grind into a fine powder and make a paste with a few drops of regular milk. Apply on your face and neck and leave it overnight. Wash with cold water in the morning. Do this daily for 15 days, followed by twice a week afterward.

A table spoon of flour mixed with 2 T. of milk and 2-3 drops of lime juice works well for lightening dark skin patches. Apply this mixture and leave it for 15 minutes before washing it off. Repeat for 4 weeks and follow up with once a week.

Apply a paste of fresh ground mint leaves and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash with cold water, continue for 15 days.

Apply a mixture of grated tomato with 2-3 drops of lime juice on the face. Leave it for 20 minutes before washing off. Do this twice a day for 15-20 days for best results.

Diet to Lighten Dark Skin

Although there are no particular foods that will lighten your skin instantly, a balanced diet definitely helps by giving your skin a healthy glow. Drinking an optimum amount of water hydrates your skin and keeps it blemish free. Some recommendations regarding diet are as follows.

Avoid excessive consumption of fatty, oily foods.

Incorporate lots of whole grain snacks and whole grain cereals, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Drink at least 4-5 liters of water or lemon water every day. Water flushes toxins from your body.

Treatments for Dark Skin Patches

Many treatments contain hydroquinone, which lightens skin tone. Hydroquinone helps to slow the production of melanin in the skin, so dark areas of skin gradually fade to match normal skin tone.

Porcelana is 2% Hydroquinone cream available over the counter.

Prescription-strength creams containing 3 or 4% Hydroquinone are available.

Tretinoin, (Retin A) and other retinol creams can also be used to combat dark skin.

Hormonal changes, excessive sun exposure, and heredity all contribute to excess melanin. All these methods are slow, partly effective, and undone by sun exposure. Some chemical peels (like trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid.) can also help dark skin patches, or depending on the type of pigment and location. You might also opt to use chemical peel pads, which are less invasive and work extremely well over time. These treatments can be somewhat irritating to sensitive skin and can take as much as 3-6 months before you see noticeable improvements.

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