Medically reviewed by Dr. Unsa Mohsin.
If you are living in a typical Asian family, there must be countless times when you would have witnessed our obsession with fair skin. And it doesn’t end there. If somehow you suffer from a skin disease, or have even the tiniest bit of a pigmented area on your face, everyone in a random family gathering would point it out. As if you don’t own a mirror at home. Some might even get on the bandwagon and shower you with remedies they read on the internet. Now, before you unleash your darker side at them, here’s what you can do about your pigmented skin patches.
1. Get down to the root
Before you start experimenting with creams and lotions, you must find out about what caused the pigmentation in the first place. Once you have the root cause available, start by treating that first.
According to science, the amount of a substance called melanin decides our skin color. More melanin, darker skin. However, a number of conditions can increase the amount of melanin produced by skin cells. Result? Patches on your skin, appearing darker than your actual skin color. Some common conditions include:
- Increased exposure to sun
- Inflammation
- Acne as a result of hormonal imbalance
- Autoimmune diseases
- Genetic likelihood, etc.
2. Dermatologist – the superman
Your dermatologist is your go-to person who can end your misery. Your doctor might want to give you creams containing ingredients such as:
- Hydroquinone
- Cortisone containing compounds
- Hyaluronic acid
- Retinoids
- Vitamin C
Depending on the severity of your condition, your dermatologist might also advise you on more advanced medical procedures which can include:
- Laser therapy
- Microdermabrasion
- Platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment
- Therapy via pulsed light
3. Your grandma might be right
She might be right when she suggested you some home remedies to treat your condition. Go to the kitchen, and you can find a bunch of useful things that can help you.
Aloe Vera:
Use aloe vera gel and apply it onto the pigmented spots on your skin. It is an added benefit if you leave it overnight.
Green tea extract:
Take a green teabag and add it to a cup of boiling water. Let it stay for for 3 to 5 minutes and then allow the teabag to cool after removing it. Once cooled, apply the tea bag onto the hyperpigmented area. You can also repeat this twice a day.
Apple cider vinegar:
Take equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water, and apply onto the dark spots. Leave for 3 minutes and rinse. Repeat twice a day for promising results.
4. Better safe than sorry
You can take care of your skin by including a few simple steps in your daily regime.
- Keep your skin moisturized.
- Drink loads of water, and have a diet rich in minerals and vitamins.
- Wear sunscreen whenever you step out in the sun.
- Avoid touching and picking pimples if you get them.
- Use a gentle cleanser followed by a toner.
- Exfoliate weekly.
Guest Post Credits: Dr. Faryal Zaidi
