caring for hair, skin and nails as we age

Pigmentation causes dark spots to develop on your skin. These dark spots can develop for a number of reasons including hormonal changes, sun exposure, allergic reactions or even just genetics. If you have noticeable pigmentation on your skin, you may want to lighten or remove it. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can do this naturally and inexpensively at home with items you likely already have around the home. Here are a few of the ways home remedies for skin pigmentation. 

Potato

One of the options for skin pigmentation treatment at home is to use potatoes. Take a whole, peeled potato and slice it into about three or four different sections. Rinse the potato to ensure that it is moist. Then rub the potato directly on your dark spots in a circular motion, ensuring you coat the entire dark spot in the potato juice well. The potato juice contains catecholase, an enzyme that helps to reduce the amount of melanin that is produced. In turn, this helps to remove your brown spot and prevent it from coming back. Allow the potato juice to sit on the dark spot for about 10 minutes before rinsing it away. Repeat this process up to four times a day until the spot is gone. 

Lemon

Another way to remove skin pigmentation spots is with lemon. Lemon is a natural bleaching agent that can help to lighten skin and break up spots. While you can rub a lemon directly on the pigmentation spots, or rub the lemon juice in, this can be harsh on your skin. Instead, it is recommended that you mix the juice of one lemon with two teaspoons of honey and rub it on your skin. The honey helps to moisturize your skin, while the lemon helps to lift the spot. Allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes before wiping it away. Repeat two times per day until your spot lifts. 

Avocado

The last skin pigmentation treatment you can do at home is to use an avocado. Take a ripe avocado and mash it in a bowl until it is lump free. Then apply a thick layer of the avocado to the pigmented spot on your body and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. The oleic acid and vitamin C in the avocado help to reduce the darkness in the spot and prevent it from coming back. Rinse the avocado away after 30 minutes. Repeat up to two times a day until the spot lifts. 

There are many different ways to treat skin pigmentation, including using items you likely already have around your home. However, despite your best efforts, you may have dark patches of skin that you find you are not able to treat on your own. If you have skin pigmentation that doesn't lighten with home remedies, be sure to contact a medical office like Essential Life Laser Skin Care Clinic. They may be able to recommend creams or medical procedures that can help to break down the pigmentation and remove it completely.