Dark spots can appear on the skin for a variety of reasons. They may be age spots that develop from too much sun exposure. Or they may be hyperpigmentation spots that appear in areas where inflammation occurred from a cut, acne blemish or other injury. Regardless of the cause, these dark spots can embarrass you. Thankfully, there is a simple and straightforward way to clear up your dark spots.
Step 1
Apply lemon juice directly on your dark spots. After freshly squeezing lemons, soak a cotton ball or pad in the juice and wipe it on your face or wherever the dark spots are. Wait 10 minutes before rinsing well with warm water. Irritation may develop. If it does, reduce application to once every other day. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which acts as an exfoliant, according to American Chronicle, gently buffing away dark spots more quickly.
Step 2
Use a hydroquinone cream to lighten dark spots. This cream is a bleach and will reduce the pigment on areas it is applied on. Be careful to dab the cream only on the areas you wish to lighten.
Step 3
Apply an SPF 30 sunscreen each day before you go outside. Cover all exposed areas, especially those that are being treated for dark spots. Many bleaching creams and skin lighteners make the skin more sensitive to the sun, which means you'll burn more easily if exposed. Sun damage can also make dark spots more pronounced.
Step 4
Undergo laser treatment to have your dark spots removed. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the q-switched ruby laser and other similar devices work best for removing skin pigment on selected areas without damaging the skin or causing scarring. Have your dermatologist perform a small patch test on a hidden area of skin to make sure you will not have an adverse reaction to the laser treatment.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Hydroquinone cream
- Oil-free sunscreen
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