Hyperpigmentation usually occurs when patches of your skin become darker than usual. This is caused by excess melanin in the skin, which is the brown pigment that produces the normal skin colour. These darkened patches can vary in shape and size and are usually light-brown to dark-brown in colour. There are some clinical solutions that treat hyperpigmentation, but for anyone who prefers to social distance, there are some hyperpigmentation home remedies you should try.
Crush Course on Skin Hyperpigmentation
It is important to note that hyperpigmentation is not a serious condition, not unless it looks sinister, and makes you uncomfortable; at which point you should see your dermatologist.
It’s also good to know that hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin gets darker than usual and there is overproduction of melanin, and hypopigmentation is when there is a low production of melanin.
There are various contributing factors to hyperpigmentation but the main culprit is sun exposure. Melanin is the skins natural sunscreen which protects the skin from harmful UV rays, but overexposure to the sun leads to hyperpigmentation, not to mention sunburn and who knows what else, at which point not even the hyperpigmentation home remedies can help you.
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Other causes of hyperpigmentation include pregnancy, skin inflammation, use of certain drugs like birth control pills, hemochromatosis(iron overload) and endocrine diseases like Addison disease.
Hyperpigmentation can be treated with over the counter creams or a visit to the dermatologist (as mentioned). But for the naturalists, there are very useful hyperpigmentation home remedies that you can give a try. All of these remedies are found right in the kitchen, which means you won’t have to dig deeper into your deep pockets.
Hyperpigmentation Home Remedies
Lemon juice and honey
Mix lemon juice and honey in equal proportions then apply on the affected areas daily. Wash off after 10 minutes. The honey will moisturize the skin and the lemon acts as a natural bleach. In case you have sensitive skin, stay away from this remedy and especially the lemon because it’s acidity can easily irritate the skin.
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Potato
Who knew potatoes are good for anything other than for eating? For this remedy, rub a freshly cut slice of potato on the affected skin patch everyday. Potatoes are known to remove blemishes, dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the skin.
Cucumber juice
Apply cucumber juice as a mask to the affected areas daily and wash it off after 30 minutes. You can also mix the cucumber juice with lemon and honey in equal proportions and follow the above method. But if your skin is sensitive, social distance that lemon, and use it in your mojito instead.
Milk and honey
This is one of those hyperpigmentation home remedies that will make you question your motives. Anyway, milk has lactic acid which rubs off the darkened patch of the skin leaving behind fresh smooth skin. Honey on the other hand moisturizes the skin. To see some difference, do this on a daily basis (that’s if you have some extra milk to spare).
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Apple cider vinegar
Mix apple cider vinegar with water in equal proportions and apply on the affected areas. Wash off after a couple of minutes. Do this twice a week. Additionally, if your skin is sensitive, keep that ACV 2 meters from your skin. On the other hand, to make yourself a wellness ACV drink, you can add 2 tablespoons of the vinegar to a glass of warm water, and drink this twice daily. Feel free to add a dash of honey if it’s too tangy for your taste.
Turmeric powder
Mix turmeric powder with lemon juice in equal measures and apply to the affected areas. Leave for 5 minutes then wash it off. Do this daily. But if your skin is sensitive, you know what to do (a wellness lemon and turmeric shot will suffice). You can also mix 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder with 4 tablespoons of milk and apply to the affected areas. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes then wash off. Be extra careful with turmeric as it can easily stain whatever it comes into contact with (at this point it’s better off as a drink, since I heard it whitens teeth).
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Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera seems like a gold standard for everything including a welcome addition to hyperpigmentation home remedies. To make it work for you, gently rub the aloe gel on the affected areas and leave it overnight. Wash it off in the morning. Do this every night before going to bed. Alternatively mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with half tablespoon of honey and apply on the affected area. Wash off after 10 minutes with warm water. Do this daily.
Before trying any of the mentioned hyperpigmentation home remedies, always do a patch test beforehand to make sure you are not allergic or sensitive to the ingredients. That said, have you ever had skin hyperpigmentation? What did you do to get rid of it? As for me, I went the clinical way and did a Cosmelan depigmentation peel.
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