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Ways to Fade and Remove Dark Spots on Your Skin
As you age, you may notice that wrinkles can make you look much older than you really are. But there are other culprits that can add years to your appearance. One of these is the dark spots that begin to appear on your skin.
Fortunately, there are home remedies, topical products, and cosmetic procedures that can effectively fade or permanently remove dark spots. Below, I am sharing with you the most common treatments.
How to Get Rid of Dark Spots
| Product | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Lemon Juice | The acidity acts like a bleaching agent and helps reduce discoloration. |
| Aloe Vera | Contains vitamins A, C, and, E, which help to reduce brown spots and even out skin tone. |
| Yogurt or Buttermilk | Both contain high amounts of lactic acid, which lightens and exfoliates the skin. |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Contains alpha hydroxy acid, which gets rid of dead skin cells. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, helping to brighten and heal the skin. |
| Hydroquinone | Bleaching agent that helps remove liver spots. |
| Reitnoid | Potent form of vitamin A that encourages rapid cell-turnover. It works by shedding the outer layer of skin and encouraging cell regeneration. It also curbs the production of melanin. |
| Salicylic Acid | Lightens age spots by softening the skin, thereby helping it peel. |
| Glycolic Acid | AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) derived from sugar. It sloughs off dead skin to promote the growth of new skin cells. Use a formula that contains at least 10%. |
| Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser therapy | These medical procedures physically remove any pigmentation imperfections on your skin’s outer epidermis. |
Dark Spots on the Face: What Are They Called?
- Most likely, the dark spots on your face are what dermatologists call age spots, also known as sunspots, liver spots, and solar lentigines.
- According to the Mayo Clinic, “age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin.
- They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms.”
When to See a Doctor
See your doctor if a spot is increasing in size, has an irregular border, has an unusual combination of colors, is black, or is bleeding.
4 Natural Remedies to Remove Dark Spots
Let’s begin by looking at four natural remedies you can use to lighten or fade dark spots on the skin.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice’s acidity acts like a bleaching agent and helps reduce discoloration on your face. Use a cotton ball or Q-tip to apply the juice onto your liver spots twice a day. It is a good idea to test this first on a small area of your face to see how your skin will react to the lemon juice. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend diluting the juice with a bit of water.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
The gel of the Aloe vera plant is chock-full of antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E, which help to reduce brown spots and even out skin tone. Vitamin A speeds up your skin’s natural shedding process, vitamin C brightens your complexion, and vitamin E renews the epidermis. Aloe works especially well if you have dark spots caused by sun exposure because the plant has been used for thousands of years to relieve sunburns.
You can buy 100% Aloe vera gel at a health food store, but using gel directly from the plant is preferable. To do this, cut off a piece of an aloe vera leaf and split it in half. Carve out the jelly-like flesh and apply this directly onto your skin.
3. Yogurt or Buttermilk
Both yogurt and buttermilk contain high amounts of lactic acid, which lightens and exfoliates the skin. You can apply either of these dairy products directly onto your skin like a mask and leave it on for 20 minutes before washing it off.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
Rich in antioxidants and minerals, apple cider vinegar is a popular home product used for treating all sorts of ailments. Those with scarring and pigmentation swear by this simple remedy because the alpha hydroxy acid gets rid of dead skin cells.
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. You can apply this over your entire face because it is pH balanced, so it acts as a toner. However, if you detest the smell, let the solution sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
5 Topical Products to Reduce Dark Spots on Your Skin
Natural remedies are wonderful, but they may take more time to begin working and they may also fail to achieve the degree of lightening you were hoping for. That’s where the following products may come into play.
1. Hydroquinone
There are many topical treatments on the market that promise to get rid of dark spots. Choose one that contains hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that helps remove age spots and is safe to use on the skin. You can also use one that contains kojic acid, which has bleaching properties as well.
2. Retinoid
This is a potent lab-created form of vitamin A, and it works by encouraging rapid cell turnover. When old skin cells die, they make way for new skin growth. The idea is to shed the layer of skin with the dark spots so that new, unblemished skin can grow in its place. Retinoid also curbs the production of melanin (the pigment your skin produces that creates dark spots).
If you purchase over-the-counter treatments, the ingredient you will find is called retinol, which is a vitamin A that naturally occurs in the skin. This form of vitamin A is not as potent as retinoid.
Retinoids are prescription-only and fall under these three names:
- Tretinoin, including the brands Atralin, Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, and Renova
- Tazarotene, such as the brand Tazorac
- Adapalene, such as the brand Differin
These products are 100 times more potent than the retinol found over the counter.
3. Salicylic Acid
You may have heard of salicylic acid being used to treat acne, but it can also be used to lighten dark spots. Salicylic acid works by causing the outermost layer of the skin to soften and then peel. This helps remove dead skin cells and allows new cells to surface.
4. Glycolic Acid
This is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) derived from sugar and works as a natural exfoliator, sloughing off dead skin to promote the growth of new skin cells. Dermatologists suggest using a product with at least 10% glycolic acid in order to see results.
5. Medical Treatments
If you have the money and you want fast results, you can opt for medical treatments. Common treatments for dark spots include:
- Chemical peels: Promote skin regeneration by removing the top layer of the skin.
- Microdermabrasion: Like a chemical peel, microdermabrasion works to promote skin regeneration by removing the top layer of the skin.
- Laser therapy: Involves the use of different types of lasers that reduce accumulated melanin in a certain area.
It is best to consult your doctor and ask about which treatment is best for your skin type.
How to Prevent Dark Spots on Your Face
Sun damage is the primary cause of dark spots, so be sure to protect yourself from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
- Steer clear of tanning beds. Your goal should be to avoid the sun—and that means suntans, too! Tanning beds use bulbs that emit harmful UV rays.
- Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30. If you are using vitamin A or a product that exfoliates, your skin will be even more sensitive to the sun, so cover your face as much as possible.
- Wear protective gear and clothing that minimize sun contact as much as possible. Hats and sunglasses are great accessories to help shield your face from the sun.
- Seek shade whenever possible. Whether it’s a tree, awning, sun umbrella, or another form of shade, it’s your friend in the mission to minimize sun exposure.
What Causes Dark Spots on Face?
Now that we’ve covered nine different products that can help you get rid of those age spots on your face, let’s take a step back and talk about what causes them in the first place. If you’ve been reading closely, you already have a pretty good idea about the first one on this list.
1. Sun Damage (Solar Lentigos)
The leading cause of dark spots, liver spots, and/or freckles is sun damage. Overexposure to UVA/UVB rays, either directly from the sun or through the use of tanning beds, breaks down collagen and causes your skin to produce excess melanin, which leads to discoloration or hyperpigmentation. The damage may not be evident right away, especially if you are young, but you will see the effects of sun damage more prominently when you hit your 40s.
2. Melasma
Women are more likely to suffer from this condition. It is characterized by brown to gray-brown patches that appear on the skin. It is usually caused by sun damage but can also appear during pregnancy.
3. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (Acne Scarring)
Acne sufferers often develop dark spots or hyperpigmentation caused by injury to the skin through picking or popping pimples.
Sources and Further Reading
- How to Remove Dark Patches and Spots From Your Face | Bellatory
Many adults suffer from dark patches on their face, forehead, and cheeks. Read on to find out some fantastic ways to prevent and get rid of these unsightly blemishes on your skin. - What Is Glycolic Acid and How Should I Use It? | LiveAbout
You may have heard that glycolic acid can help your skin, but just what is it and how is it used? This article will answer all your questions. - Melasma: Diagnosis and Treatment | American Academy of Dermatology
Learn about how dermatologists diagnose and treat melasma. - How Do You Get Rid of Brown Spots on the Skin? | Dr. Cynthia Bailey Skincare
Skincare products that stop the overproduction of melanin and encourage skin to shed excess melanin are the best way to fight dark spots. - Best Home Remedies to Remove Dark Spots | My Health Tips
There are simple treatments that you can try at home naturally in order to reduce dark spots. - Dark Spots: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment | VeryWell Health
Dark spots on the skin commonly appear in middle age as a result of past sun exposure. Here’s what you can do to diminish their appearance. - Beauty 411: Retin-A vs. Retinol | Radiance by WebMD
Confused about these two retinoids? Our expert explains the difference. - Retinoids for Wrinkles, Anti-Aging, Brown Spots | Radiance by WebMD
WebMD discusses the anti-aging properties of retinoids and the benefits they have for aging skin. - Why Apple Cider Vinegar Is Good For Your Skin | Elite Daily
Vinegar is not the first thing you think of when you say skincare, but this underrated household product actually has amazing benefits for your skin. - Can You Reduce Age Spots With Yogurt? | Our Everyday Life
Although laser treatments are generally considered the most effective way to reduce age spots, many DIY-ers have used yogurt as a home remedy. As a spot treatment and a diet staple, it has some anti-aging benefits worth noting. - Using Aloe Vera has multiple benefits | Baylor College of Medicine
Aloe Vera gel is typically used when you get a little too much sun and need some relief. However, an expert at Baylor College of Medicine says Aloe Vera has multiple benefits for your skin. - 13 Dark Spot Remedies You Can Find In Your Kitchen | Mind Body Green
Whether left behind from acne or brought on by age or from sun exposure, stubborn dark spots are annoying. Here, how to treat them at home.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
