5 Fascinating Home Remedies for Dark Spots That will Amaze You

(Last Updated On: June 27, 2023)

The moment you find a brown spot on your previous unblemished skin strikes you unprepared. All you can think about is that you’re getting old. I know the feeling, and I know that you might be embarrassed by these spots that have appeared suddenly on your skin.

Unfortunately, old age sneaks up on all of us, and we can do little to resist it. However, dark spots, also known as sunspots, liver spots, or age spots are something that can be easily removed. In fact, you can go to the nearest pharmacy and buy over-the-counter cream to lighten your complexion.

But before you take your purse, let’s talk about five unbelievable home remedies for dark spots that will take care of your little problem quickly and efficiently. These remedies are completely natural, and people have been using them for ages to lighten their skin, so you can trust them to work.

However, before I present to you these five extraordinary home remedies for dark spots, I want to talk about what causes these patches to appear.

What Causes Dark Spots?

At first, some of you might get scared when you discover a brown patch on your skin. It’s understandable to be worried about it. However, dark spots are nothing serious. They have nothing to do with cancer and won’t turn into cancer with time. So, they are not a reason for panic.

The primary factor contributing to the appearance of these patches is sun exposure. Your cells get damaged when they are exposed too frequently to sunlight (UV rays). As a result, the production of melatonin increases at that particular place.

In simple words, your skin turns dark when it comes in contact with too many UV rays. Imagine it as if you’re focusing a ray of sunlight using a magnifying glass on a spot on your skin.

Since we all are exposed to sunlight in one way or another, it’s very likely that you’ll get at least one dark spot during your lifetime. The following factors might increase your chances:

• Being over 40 years
• Fair skin (the lighter your skin, the easier the sunlight will damage it)
• Staying in the sun too much
• Using tanning beds often

Signs And Symptoms

Once upon a time, these dark spots were called liver spots because doctors thought that they had something to do with the liver. We already established that your liver doesn’t play any role in the process, so having these patches is not a sign of any disease.

Dark spots are:

• Flat with the same texture of your skin
• Usually brown, but they might be gray or black
• Occur in sun-exposed areas

The most common places where you’re likely to see a dark patch are:

• Face
• Upper back
• Forearms
• Shoulders
• Back of the hands

I want to make a slight distraction. As I said already, dark spots don’t turn into cancer. However, cancerous spots might look just like brown spots. So, if you notice any unusual symptoms, it’s best to speak with a dermatologist. I’m talking about:

• Change in color, shape, or size
• Bleeding
• Pain

There is no way for your dermatologist to look at the patch and say with 100% certainty what it is. That’s why if your doctor has concerns, he might opt for a biopsy.

Do not panic. Skin cancer is very treatable if it’s caught early on so you should not delay if you are worried about a dark spot.

Also, keep in mind that skin cancer is related to frequent exposure to UV rays (sunlight or tanning beds). You should think about the dark spots as a warning that you’re spending too much time outside without the proper protection and that your skin is getting damaged.

Home Remedies For Dark Spots

The usual treatment that doctors might recommend for removing dark spots includes chemical peels, pulsed light treatments, dermabrasion, or cryosurgery. However, a couple of very effective home remedies exist that you can try before heading to the doctor.

1. Lemon Juice Is A Natural Skin Lightener

If you are wondering which common fruit has natural lightening abilities, the answer is, of course, lemon juice. But do you know why it’s used so often to remove skin blemishes?

Lemon juice has been a popular skin remedy for centuries thanks to its unique qualities. For example, once applied, it could halt the excess melanin production, which causes the dark spots.

In addition to this, lemon juice is an excellent exfoliant because it contains citric acid. It will strip the old layer of dead skin and prevent old cells from building up. What’s more, lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C, and your skin needs vitamin C to produce collagen, which makes your skin soft and elastic.

You can find many skin-lightening recipes on the net, but I’m going to offer you two simple ones.

Necessary ingredients:

1. A spray bottle
2. Lemons
3. Juicer
4. Water

Process:

Start by squeezing the lemon juice.

Get a spray bottle and fill it with the juice.

Add an equal amount of water.

Spray the juice on the affected spot avoiding any cuts or open wounds.

Repeat 3-4 times a week.

Alternatively, you can prepare a skin mask by following these instructions:

Necessary ingredients:

1. Lemon juice
2. Tomato juice
3. Cucumber juice
4. Sandalwood paste
5. Tablespoon
6. Bowl
7. Warm water

Process:

1. Measure one tablespoon of lemon, tomato, and cucumber juice.
2. Pour the ingredients into the bowl.
3. Add one tablespoon of sandalwood.
4. Mix the ingredients well until you have a paste.
5. Apply the concoction to the spot.
6. Wait 15-20 minutes.
7. Rinse with warm water.

Notes: Lemon juice takes time to work, so don’t expect miracles after 2-3 times. You need to be consistent, but you should not apply it more than the recommended dose, or you risk damaging your skin. Also, avoid using it undiluted because it can irritate your skin.

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2. Potatoes Reduces Dark Spots

Another common kitchen ingredient you can use to get rid of any dark patches or acne is potatoes. You probably have a hard time believing it, but potatoes could be really useful for treating skin conditions.

For once, they are rich in potassium, which is excellent for nourishing and moisturizing the skin. And second, they contain vitamin B6, which is useful for encouraging new cells growth.

In addition to this, potatoes have mild natural bleaching properties, so they will work wonderfully when in combination with lemon juice, for example.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Potatoes
2. Lemon juice
3. Honey
4. Milk
5. A bowl
6. Water
7. A towel
8. Tablespoon

Process:

1. Mash one potato in the bowl.
2. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice.
3. Mix a small amount of honey and milk.
4. Mix the ingredients well until you have a paste.
5. Apply it to the affected area.
6. Wait 10 minutes.
7. Rinse with water.
8. Pat the skin dry with a towel.
9. Repeat 2-3 times a week.

Alternatively, you can combine potato juice with honey:

Necessary ingredients:

1. Honey
2. Potato
3. Grater
4. A bowl
5. Water

Process:

1. Get a potato and grate it into the bowl.
2. Extract the juice.
3. Add one tablespoon of honey to it.
4. Mix well.
5. Apply to the dark spot.
6. Wait a couple of minutes.
7. Rinse with water.
8. Pat the skin dry.
9. Repeat daily until the patch disappears.

Notes: If you mix potatoes and lemon juice, avoid sun exposure for a couple of hours. For people with sensitive skin, experts recommend a patch test to determine if you’ll have an adverse reaction to the mixture.

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3. Horseradish For Radiant Skin

Another ally in your fight against old age and dark spots is horseradish, quite surprisingly. Most people don’t know that it has skin-lightening properties, which makes it an excellent choice to combat freckles, black spots, brown patches, and so on.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Apple cider vinegar
2. Horseradish
3. An airtight container
4. Strainer
5. Cotton balls
6. Knife
7. Grater
8. A cup
9. A bowl
10. Water

Process:

1. Select a long horseradish (4-5 inches in length).
2. Peel it with a knife and then grate it.
3. Measure half a cup of apple cider vinegar.
4. Mix the grated horseradish and the ACV in a bowl.
5. Stir and cover the bowl.
6. Leave the concoction in a cool place for about two weeks.
7. At least once a day uncover it to stir it.
8. Strain the solution into the airtight container.
9. Pour a small amount of the mixture into a bowl and soak a cotton ball.
10. Apply the cotton ball to the affected skin.
11. Wait for it to dry.
12. Rinse with water.
13. Repeat daily – 2-3 times.

Notes: ACV might irritate sensitive skin. Before you try this home remedy for dark spots, I advise that you perform a patch test to ensure that your skin won’t get irritated.

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4. Milk For Fair Skin

Have you heard people saying that you should drink milk while pregnant if you want your child to have fair skin? While this is nothing more than an old wives’ tale, milk does have some mild bleaching properties that could help you fight the menace knowns as age spots.

What’s more, milk is an excellent choice for keeping skin smooth, silky and free of wrinkles. Even the ancient Egyptians used it to prevent aging. Remember Cleopatra’s milk baths? In addition to this, milk is a supreme source of necessary vitamins such as vitamin A and D.

Milk also contains lactic acid, which is useful for removing any impurities embedded in the skin and blemishes.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Milk
2. Honey
3. Cotton balls
4. Water
5. A bowl
6. A tablespoon

Process:

1. Measure four tablespoons of milk and pour them into the bowl.
2. Add two tablespoons of honey.
3. Mix the two ingredients well.
4. Get a cotton ball and soak it into the mixture.
5. Apply it to the dark spot using circular motions.
6. Do this for 10 minutes.
7. Wait for the concoction to dry.
8. Rinse off with water.
9. Use a towel to pat your skin dry.
10. Repeat daily.

Notes: Milk and honey usually don’t irritate the skin, so you can use them in this combination even if you have sensitive skin. Of course, should you feel any burning or stinging, stop applying the concoction. You can substitute honey with turmeric.

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5. Almonds For Healthy Skin

Almonds are excellent not only for a snack during the day but also as a home remedy for dark spots. They are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E, which makes them perfect for nourishing the skin and keeping it smooth and silky. Used as an exfoliant, almonds are very efficient at removing these nasty brown spots on your body.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Almonds
2. Milk
3. Mortar and pestle
4. A bowl
5. Water

Process:

1. Fill the bowl with water and add a handful of almonds.
2. Soak them overnight.
3. In the morning, use the mortar and pestle to crush the almonds until they turn into powder.
4. Get an empty bowl and add the almond powder.
5. Mix with milk until you have a paste.
6. Use your fingers to apply the paste to the dark skin using circular motions.
7. Rinse with water.
8. Repeat.

Alternatively, you can mix almonds with papaya, another fruit that contains bleaching enzymes and has anti-wrinkle properties.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Almonds
2. Papaya
3. Mortar and pestle
4. Water
5. A bowl

Process:

1. Soak the almonds in the bowl overnight.
2. Crush them into powder using the mortar and pestle.
3. Mash the papaya in another bowl.
4. Combine the mashed papaya and the powdered almonds.
5. Add a little water.
6. Mix the ingredients well until you have a paste.
7. Apply it to the affected spot.
8. Repeat.

Notes: You can also use almond oil and massage it into the skin daily to get rid of brown patches. If you combine almonds with papaya, remember to do a patch test. In case you’re allergic to papaya, I don’t recommend using this remedy.

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How To Prevent Dark Spots?

Since sun exposure is the main factor in the forming of these blemishing patches, you can take the following precautions to lower your chances of getting them:

• Avoid direct sun exposure as much as you can, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Always use sun cream when you go sunbathing on the beach.
• Choose appropriate sun cream with a sun protection factor of at least 30 with UVA and UVB protection.
• Wear sun-protecting clothes such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, pants, or gloves.
• Apply the cream at least 30 minutes before you go out.
• Re-apply the sun protection lotion every two hours.
• Keep your skin hydrated and exfoliate to prevent damage/irritation

Dark spots are harmless patches, which appear due to sun damage. Although they don’t pose a risk to your health, you should take measures and limit your exposure to harmful UV rays to avoid future problems. If their appearance bothers you too much, you can deal with them at home using these remarkable home remedies.

What do you think about these five home remedies for dark spots? Have you ever used them for skin whitening? Do you find them effective? Share your thoughts in the comments.