Simple Home Remedies For Hyperpigmentation

Introduction

Many people have shining qualities beneath their rough exteriors. As this modern proverb says, a rough exterior over your skin is not something to worry about. Several remedies could provide solutions to skin-related problems like dark spots and pimples. Hyperpigmentation is one such condition on the skin that could be treated with several treatments.

Certain things, like medicines and some anticancer drugs, could cause Hyperpigmentation. Let’s look at the simple home remedies for Hyperpigmentation and a short review of Hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a common but harmless condition in which the skin patches appear darker than the surrounding skin. This condition occurs when the special cells of the skin produce excessive pigment known as melanin. Hyperpigmentation is usually visible as age spots, freckles, or more significant parts of darkened skin.

Many things, like abnormal skin growth, injury or inflammation of the skin, Pregnancy, acne scars, sun damage, hormone changes, or other medical conditions, cause Hyperpigmentation. Some specific medicines, like several anticancer drugs, could also cause Hyperpigmentation.

Simple Home Remedies For Hyperpigmentation

Several home remedies for Hyperpigmentation could improve your skin by reducing the appearance of dark patches. Here are some of the remedies:

1. Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel is used to treat many skin conditions. It is also used to minimise the Hyperpigmentation of the skin because it contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound. As per a study conducted in 2012, this aloin has been shown to lighten skin and function as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment.

Aloesin, an ingredient in aloe vera, can arrest enormous melanin production and skin hyperpigmentation. You can prepare homemade face masks using aloe vera gel. One can apply aloe vera gel directly to the affected region to get better results.

How to use:

• Take pure aloe vera gel and apply it over the darkened or pigmented regions on your skin before your
• After your sleep, wash this applied aloe vera gel from your skin using warm water the following day.
• Repeat this procedure daily until you see results. But if you are allergic to aloe vera, kindly avoid using aloe vera gel.

2. Milk

Lactic acid is an ingredient in milk which has many benefits. Lactic acid has been shown to lighten skin discolouration. So, milk, buttermilk, and even sour milk are effective treatments for Hyperpigmentation. 

How to use:

You could use any of the milk, buttermilk, and even sour milk, which are used in the following ways to treat pigmentation:

• Take a clean cotton ball and soak it in the milk.
• Just rub that cotton ball over the affected skin patches. You can follow this procedure two times a day. 
• Repeat this procedure daily until your skin colour improves.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric prevents melanin production, which is responsible for dark spots and other types of Hyperpigmentation.

How to use:

You could prepare a face mask using turmeric to use it on your skin effectively. To prepare a facemask:

• You can take small amounts of turmeric, honey, and Greek yoghurt.
• Mix all these ingredients nicely, and then apply the mixture to your face.
• You can wait till the mask dries for up to 15 minutes, then wash it off with water.

4. Green tea

Green tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which lighten the skin and help manage hyperpigmentation lesions. As per a study, green tea gave the best results in reducing skin redness caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. 

Some suggest applying green tea bags over dark spots for a lightening effect, but there is no evidence to prove this claim. You can buy the green tea extract and apply it as given below.

How to use:

To use green tea for the skin, you can prepare a face mask for your skin. Otherwise, add green tea to your homemade mask recipes. Here is one of the ways to use green tea for your skin.

• Just prepare the green tea recipe in a general way you use to make it daily.
• Now, let it cool completely for some time.
• Pour this cold green tea into a spritz bottle.
• Gently spray it over your clean skin.
• Wait for it to dry on your face for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Finally, wash your face with cool and clean

5. Soy

Soybean is an effective skin-lightening agent, and it is helpful in post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation due to acne. It helps to treat the photodamage (changes in the skin appearance because of UV radiation) on your skin. Also, it is effective for facial hypermelanoma (changed facial skin pigmentation) and Melasma. 

How to use:

You can add soybeans to your regular diet to avail of the much-needed advantages. Drinking soy milk is a very good option.

• Soak 50 grams of soybeans in water for 7 hours or overnight.
• Now, drain the soybeans and put them in a mixer or blender.
• Add half a cup of water to the soybeans. 
• Blend the soybeans and water till you see a thick consistency.
• Filter the soybean mixture, and you will get the soy milk.
• Now, apply this fresh soy milk to the affected area on your face and neck.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes until it dries, and then wash your face.
• You can repeat this three times a week for better results.

6. Rice water

In several Asian skin and hair treatments, rice water has been used, considering its numerous benefits. Rice water helps to treat Hyperpigmentation, which exhibits a skin-lightening effect. According to research, rice water can potentially prevent tyrosinase activity in our skin cells, which causes skin discolouration, thereby compensating for melanin production in the skin.

How to use:

You can use rice water in many ways. Here are some of them, which are simple home remedies. 

• You can soak a thick sheet of tissue paper in rice water and use it as a face mask.
• You can apply rice water to your skin and massage. Then, wash it with clean water.
• Dip a cotton pad in a small amount of rice water. Then, apply it gently to your face and neck like a toner.

7. Pomegranate

Pomegranate contains antioxidants, which prevent the signs of ageing. Pomegranate protects the skin from free radical damage. Thus, it helps treat the Hyperpigmentation. You can apply the pomegranate skin oil after cleansing and toning but before moisturising.

You can crush a few pomegranate seeds and use them as an external mask on your face. Ensure that you massage slowly, as it may irritate the skin.

How to use:

• Take half a pomegranate and remove the pomegranate seeds from it.
• Put these pomegranate seeds in a mixer jar and add a small amount of water.
• Now, grind till you get a good amount of juice.
• Then, filter the juice into a cup.
• Mix the finely ground oatmeal with the pomegranate juice in the cup to form a paste. Apply that paste to your face and slowly massage in circular motions.
• Leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes, then wash your face with clean water.
• Kindly don’t use pomegranate on your face if you have a sinus.

8. Masoor dal (red lentils)

Red lentils(masoor dal) contain antioxidants for the skin. Masoor dal face masks are popularly used for hyperpigmentation treatment, though there is no evidence to prove Masoor dal’s effectiveness over Hyperpigmentation.

How to use:

• Just soak 50 grams of red lentils overnight in water.
• Blend the soaked red lentils using a blender or food processor till you get a fine paste.
• Now, apply this paste gently over your face.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then use cold water to rinse your face.

9. Grape seed oil

Grape seed oil usually contains vitamins E and C, along with antioxidants. Antioxidants help deal with Hyperpigmentation.

How to use:

• You could use grape seed oil in the following ways:
• Take pure grape seed oil and apply it to your face before going to bed.
• You could also mix a few drops of seed oil in your cream or moisturiser to fight against skin issues like Hyperpigmentation.
• You could use grape seed oil with other essential oils, like lavender. But make sure you use only a few drops of essential oil with grape seed oil.

10. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has the ingredient acetic acid, which may lighten pigmentation. Most of it is available in supermarkets. The common names of apple cider vinegar are apple vinegar and cider vinegar. 

How to use:

To reduce Hyperpigmentation, you could use the below method:

• Mix an equal proportion of apple cider vinegar and water in a cup. 
• Apply the mixture to the affected areas of your skin and leave for up to two to three minutes.
• Now, wash using lukewarm water.
• Repeat this twice daily to get better results.

11. Red onion

Red onion (Allium cepa) extract is used in commercially available skin and scar-lightening creams on the market. As per research, it was found that the dried skin of red onions could lighten the skin. You could use the creams containing Allium cepa to treat Hyperpigmentation, but only after seeking proper guidance.

How to use:

• You can add a paste of 1 red onion, one teaspoon of honey, and one teaspoon of lemon juice.
• Mix them to form a blend.
• Now, apply this red onion mixture to the affected part of your skin.
• Leave it for 20 minutes and wash it with cold water for an instant glow.

12. Black tea water

Black tea generally contains antioxidants, which flush out toxins and eliminate free radicals. Black tea is used to treat pigmentation caused by harmful UV rays. As per an animal study, it was found that black tea water somewhat reduced dark spots on guinea pigs. You could apply black tea water twice daily, six days a week, for four weeks.

How to use:

You could try this remedy to treat Hyperpigmentation at home:

• Add a tablespoon of fresh black tea leaves to a cup of boiling water.
• Steep for two hours. After that, strain to remove the leaves.
• Now, dip a cotton ball in the tea water, then apply it to the affected areas of your skin.
• You could apply twice a day and repeat every day, six days a week, for four weeks.

13. Licorice extract

Liquorice extract is a natural pigment inhibitor that is effective against dark spots and patches on the skin. In India, licorice has been used for a very long time. Its active ingredients have been shown to lighten Hyperpigmentation due to melasma and sun exposure. Some topical creams with liquorice extract are available nowadays.

How to use:

• Take a teaspoon of liquorice powder and half a tablespoon of sandalwood powder and mix them.
• Now, add this mixture wholly to two tablespoons of raw milk.
• Mix them so they are mixed correctly.
• Now, apply this mixture as a thick face pack to your face.
• Leave it for 15-20 minutes till it dries.
• Now, wash your face with cold water.
• For better results, try this face pack twice weekly.

14. Tomato paste

Tomatoes contain lycopene, so regular use can remove stubborn dark spots from the skin. It makes the skin look lighter, giving it an even tone.

As per a study, it was found that tomato paste protected the skin against the short-term and long-term effects of photodamage.

How to use:

• Simply blend the good tomato with the milk in a blender to make a thick paste.
• Then, apply this mixture using a cotton ball.
• Leave it on overnight so that it dries. 
• Wash your face with cold water in the morning.
• You can use the mask once or twice a week.

15. Orchid extracts

Orchid extracts contain vitamin C and are used to treat Hyperpigmentation. Applying orchid-rich extracts to the skin for eight weeks has shown better results regarding the size and appearance of dark patches.

How to use:

• You can purchase skin products in masks, creams, and scrubs containing orchid extract.
• Apply the skin products with the orchid extracts all over the face and neck. Then, massage using your hands in circular movements.
• Make sure that you use only limited orchid extracts for your skin.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation on Skin

There are many causes of Hyperpigmentation. Here are some of the causes of Hyperpigmentation on the skin. 

• Some medications like chemotherapy drugs
• Pregnancy hormones
• Sun damage
• Endocrine diseases like Addison’s disease
• Melasma
• Insulin resistance
• Skin irritation or Trauma

Conclusion

Hyperpigmentation can occur anytime on a person’s skin. But it is not necessarily a condition; it refers to the skin that appears darker. Any reason may cause it, but there are several home remedies to treat it. You could try the home remedy that will suit you better. Then, reducing the use of some medications might help you if that was the cause of the Hyperpigmentation on your skin. 

You must consult your doctor if you see advanced symptoms like itchy skin, painful skin, red skin, or skin that seems hot while touching. More advanced symptoms, like bleeding or pus discharge from the area of Hyperpigmentation, must be treated immediately.

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