Dark Spots, No Need to Worry, Here's How to Get Rid of Them
Dark spots are patches or black spots that appear on the surface of the skin. Dark spots may appear as you enter middle age. Generally, dark spots can be experienced by all ages, but they are more common in middle age people.
The appearance of dark spots is most likely to occur on the face, shoulders, back, and arms. Are you one of those experiencing the appearance of dark spots?
Well, L'Occitane has the right solution for you. But before we proceed, you need to know the causes of dark spot formation. Read on to find out!
Causes of Dark Spots
It is important to know that dark spots are actually a collection of natural pigments or excess melanin production. Here are some factors that can cause dark spots to appear on your skin.
1. Exposure to ultraviolet rays
The appearance of black spots is most often caused by sun exposure. The ultraviolet rays present in sunlight can damage skin cells, causing melanin production to be higher than usual.
2. Skin problems
The appearance of dark spots can be caused by several skin problems such as:
- Inflammation: Inflammation can occur due to various reasons such as eczema, acne, wounds, and allergic reactions. After inflammation occurs, the skin color may change, resulting in the appearance of dark spots.
- Melasma: Melasma generally occurs in women, especially during pregnancy. Melasma is black patches that appear on the face. This problem is not dangerous and can be treated.
- Linea nigra: A skin problem that usually occurs in pregnant women or commonly known as pregnancy lines. This vertical line appears from the navel to the pubic bone.
- Poikiloderma: Poikiloderma is a condition of skin color change. The most commonly found condition is Civatte's poikiloderma, known as sun-induced aging.
- Erythromelanosis follicularis: A condition where reddish-brown spots appear on the face and neck.
3. Medications
Some specific drugs are known to cause dark spots due to increased melanin production. Birth control pills and acne medications are the most commonly found causes. Other drugs you might encounter include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents), chemotherapy drugs, antimalarial drugs, and anticonvulsants.
4. Certain conditions
Certain conditions such as pregnancy, liver disease, Addison's disease, hemochromatosis, and pituitary tumors can cause dark spots to appear.
5. Environmental factors
Environmental factors also play a role in determining the appearance of dark spots. People living in equatorial regions tend to have darker skin. This is a response of melanin to sunlight. Therefore, people with darker skin are more prone to dark spots.
In addition, dark spots can also appear due to exposure to free radicals and pollution. Thus, environmental factors that are exposed to free radicals and pollution can cause dark spots to appear.
6. Genetics
The appearance of dark spots can also be caused by genetic factors because dark spots can be expressed in a person's DNA. Therefore, when parents have dark spot problems, it is highly likely that their children will have the same problems.
However, it depends on the other factors. If not supported by other factors as mentioned above, then dark spots may not appear in children.
How to Remove Dark Spots
So, have you realized the causes of dark spots you are experiencing?
Every problem with dark spots experienced has different solutions. Well, L'Occitane will provide several ways to remove dark spots that you can adjust to your needs.
1. Natural Treatments
For mild dark spot problems, you can start treatment using natural ingredients such as the following:
1. Aloe Vera
The substances contained in this plant are too good to miss. Aloe vera contains aloin and aloesin which can help reduce hyperpigmentation and prevent melanin formation. These two substances can help brighten the skin and fade black spots that appear.
You can use homemade or commercially available aloe vera gel. Apply it to your face every night, then rinse it off in the morning.
2. Honey
Antioxidants are one of the compounds that can treat black spot problems. These compounds can function to neutralize free radicals.
Luckily, honey contains antioxidants. Therefore, you can also treat black spot problems by using honey as a mask.
It's quite easy. Wash and clean your face with warm water, then apply pure honey evenly over your entire face. Leave the honey until it dries or for about 15 minutes. Lastly, rinse off any remaining honey from your face.
3. Green Tea
You may know green tea as a healthy drink. However, in addition to drinking, you can also use green tea as a face mask.
The polyphenol compounds contained in green tea can help fade black spots caused by ultraviolet exposure.
The way to use the mask is quite easy. You need to brew the tea leaves and strain the water. Then, to use green tea as a mask, you can mix the green tea leaves with honey and baking soda.
Once the mask is mixed evenly, you can apply the green tea mixture to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Use this face mask routinely 3 times a week.
4. Turmeric Mask
Turmeric is known as a kitchen spice with a few benefits. One of the beneficial substances for the skin is the curcumin compound. This compound is an antioxidant that has an anti-melanogenic effect.
Therefore, using a turmeric mask can help fade and prevent the appearance of black spots. The way to use this mask is also quite easy. To make it into a mask, you can mix turmeric powder with honey. Use it regularly so your skin becomes brighter.
2. Brightening Face Creams
Black spot problems can also be treated with the use of a brightening cream. Basically, brightening treatments can help reduce and eliminate overall black spots.
Reine Blanche - Bright Lotion is L'Occitane's brightening cream enriched with meadowsweet extract. One of the active ingredients contained in this flower is salicylic acid. This ingredient is known to brighten and soften the skin.
In addition, you can also use a brightening cream containing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, retinoids, or vitamin C, as these ingredients can help hydrate the skin and fade dark spots.
3. Chemical Peeling
Chemical peeling is an exfoliation technique using chemicals. Usually, chemical peels are applied on the face, neck, or hand areas. One of the benefits you get after this treatment is that black spots are treated.
However, this treatment cannot be done at home yourself. The use of special chemical creams requires you to undergo this treatment under the supervision of a dermatologist.
This treatment has quite a serious effect. Therefore, you cannot just do a chemical peel treatment carelessly.
4. Laser Treatment
Laser treatment can also be an alternative to treat black spots. The way this treatment works is by using targeted light energy on the dark spots on the skin. The light from the laser will burn the darkened skin in layers.
If you have decided to undergo laser treatment, it is best to consult a dermatologist before the treatment.
5. Microdermabrasion
Another treatment you can do at a beauty clinic is microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is applied on the outer skin layer using a special device containing crystals to remove dead skin cells.
Because this treatment is only done on the outer skin layer, microdermabrasion is considered less effective for treating scars on deeper skin layers.
However, other benefits you will get by doing this treatment are fading acne scars, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, and fading stretch marks.
6. Cryosurgery
The last alternative you can do is cryosurgery. This treatment is also a medical procedure that requires supervision by a dermatologist.
Cryosurgery is performed using liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin cells on the black spots so they can be destroyed. After this procedure, the skin with dark spots will gradually peel off.
Those are various ways you can try to treat black spot problems. Starting from natural ingredient treatments, chemicals, to treatments with medical procedures. You can choose these options according to your needs and budget.
Hopefully, this article from L'Occitane can help treat the problem you are experiencing. Don't forget, check out L'Occitane products that can help brighten the skin and fade black spots here!
