Getting rid of dark spots on your skin can feel like a real challenge. Whether they formed where acne used to be or are the result of too much sun exposure, dark spots leave you feeling self-conscious. And while some dark spots fade away on their own, there are things you can do to get rid of them for good and prevent them from coming back.
Step 1
Apply sunscreen to all areas of skin that will be exposed when going outside, being extra careful to cover areas with dark spots. If dark spots are exposed to the sun, they may darken even more, prolonging the treatment process. Likewise, sun damage can cause new dark spots, or age spots, to form, so protecting yourself is advantageous on many fronts. Look for a brand with SPF 15 to SPF 30 for the best results.
Step 2
Apply an over-the-counter hydroquinone bleaching cream to your dark spots. After cleansing your skin thoroughly, being careful to remove all makeup, dab the cream onto your spots. After a few months of use, your dark spots should appear lighter and more even in tone with the surrounding skin. Be careful to use a formula that contains no more than 2 percent hydroquinone, however, so as to not permanently remove pigment from your skin.
Step 3
Make an appointment with a dermatologist to have cryotherapy performed on your dark spots. During this treatment, your dark spots will be frozen using liquid nitrogen. This will burn the area and destroy the pigment in that spot. It will scab over, but once healed, the dark spot will be gone.
Step 4
Set up an appointment to have dark spots treated with laser therapy. Your dermatologist will aim a laser at your dark spots to destroy the pigment cells in that area beneath the skin's surface. That way, once the top layers of skin have sloughed off over the course of a few months, the dark spots should disappear.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Hydroquinone
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