How to remove dark spots on face

in SCARS AND DARK SPOTS, SKIN CARE, July 21, 2022

Are you looking for ways how to remove dark spots on your face? You’re in the right place! Keep on reading to find out how to get rid of them. 

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Dark spots are known to be the number one reason why most people go to see a dermatologist. They are harmless but for cosmetic reasons, people prefer to cure them. Of course, dark spots go away with time but if you want to speed up the process then you will want to treat them right away. 

I am going to share with you what causes dark spots, how to get rid of them, what ingredients to look for in a product, and more. 

This post is all about how to remove dark spots on face.

Dark spots 

There are different types of dark spots that you could get on your face. The most common are aging spots, which are caused by overactive pigment cells. This means, that your skin produces too much melanin (the pigment that gives your skin its color). 

If you have dark spots on your face and are looking for ways to remove them, this is for you. Dark spots, as we call them or in the medical term known as hyperpigmentation, are caused by various reasons. Below is a list of the most common reasons dark spots occur.  

  • Acne scars 
  • Excessive sun exposure
  • Aging
  • Harsh scrubs (skin products)
  • Wounds or insect bite
  • Hormonal changes
  • Burns

How to get rid of Dark Spots

So now that you have learned the most common reasons dark spots occur we can look into how you can get rid of them. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a dark spot can take between 6-12 months to fade. If the spot is darker than your skin color it can take up to years to fade. So the earlier you treat your dark spots the faster your dark spots will fade. 

Ingredients to look for 

Using products on your face will help remove and heal your dark spots faster. When looking for a product to remove a dark spot you will want to look for ingredients like vitamin C & E, retinol, azelaic acid, and or glycolic acid.

Vitamin C is going to help improve your skin tone and whiten the skin while vitamin E is going to help reduce melanin formation. Retinol is also a good ingredient to look for because it is going to lighten your skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Lastly, azelaic acid and glycolic acid are going to help even out your skin tone and help fade dark spots quicker.

Always make sure to do your research before buying a product. Also, before using any type of product for dark spots make sure to check in with your health care provider to ensure you are good to use them.      

Here are 4 products to remove dark spots

For scar dark spots you’ll want to try Concha Nacar it is not only going to help fade the dark spot but it is also going to help cleanse and remove impurities. For acne dark spots you’ll want to try one of Paula’s choice products mentioned down below. They are both going to help fade these types of dark spots. If you are looking for something that is going to help remove dark spots but also helps the overall complexion of your face you’ll want to try the Ashudan cream (this is the second product listed down below).

  1. Concha Nacar

  • Affordable
  • Works on all skin types
  • Can be used for cleansing pores and removing impurities 
  • Can use it for dark spots and scars

  1. Ashudan

  • Works on all skin types
  • Contains ingredients such as vitamin C & E 
  • Also great for wrinkles and fine lines
  • Works on dark spots & acne 

  1. Paula’s Choice

  • Works on all skin types
  • Additionally, it improves your skin texture for smoother skin 
  • Can be used for overly pigmented areas, sun spots, or post-acne marks 
  • Diffuse discolorations around the cheeks, forehead, nose & chin

  1. Paula’s Choice

  • Lightweight serum 
  • Contains azelaic acid
  • Helps improve discoloration
  • Additionally, helps reduce the look of blemishes and acne

Story Time

I usually get dark spots on my face from acne scars/burns or insect bites. As I’ve gotten older I make sure to treat them right away instead of letting them fade on their own. Remember that the longer you wait, the longer it’s going to take to fade. Anyways, enough of that I want to share with you a personal story of how I got burned and it later turned into a dark spot. I want to share this story with you so you’re getting feedback from someone who has tried these products. 

When I was younger (about 14/ 15 years old), I was curling my hair & I was using my curling iron as a wand (as if I knew what I was doing). Looking back now it’s funny to me but at the moment not so much. Just when I was getting ready to twist the hair around the curling iron my hand cramped and I let go of the curling iron. As the curling iron is falling it hits my cheek, leaving this huge red burn on my face (I wish I had pictures to show you). I could just feel a burning sensation. After a while, my burn turned into a scab, and then it became a dark spot on my face.

I started using products and my life saver was the Concha Nacar cream. This cream is meant to help lighten up your skin but it also helps with any dark spots that you may have on your skin. I used it around 2-3 times a week and left it for about an hour. All in all, for my dark spot to completely fade away, took about 1 ½ years. 

If you have tried creams or serums for less than a month the results won’t really be noticeable. Especially if the spot is darker than your skin tone or it’s an old spot (meaning you’ve had this spot for years). However, if you stay consistent you will see a difference, don’t give up hope, and remember that a dark spot is going to take a while to remove. Be patient and make sure to follow the instructions listed on the package for the best results. 

TIPS

  • Never use liquid bleach to remove dark spots
  • Make sure to use sunscreen & bug repellent to prevent dark spots
  • Avoid picking at a scab 
  • Avoid products that list mercury they can be harmful to your health

TAKEAWAYS

  1. Talk to a dermatologist before using any products, to see what kind of discoloration you have. 
  2. Understand that getting rid of dark spots takes a while (6-12 months or years).
  3. Lastly, treat a dark spot by using products that are gentle on your skin.

This post is all about how to remove dark spots on the face.

Sources

“How to Fade Dark Spots in Darker Skin Tones.” American Academy of Dermatology, https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/fade-dark-spots. 

Divya Jacob, Pharm. D. “How Do You Get Rid of Dark Spots on Your Face Fast? 18 Tips.” MedicineNet, MedicineNet, 14 Dec. 2020, https://www.medicinenet.com/how_do_you_get_rid_of_dark_spots_on_your_face_fast/article.htm.