Cosmetic defects on open areas of the body, especially on the face, spoil the mood of every girl. Many people strive to remove them immediately, causing even greater harm to their appearance, and in some cases, their health. Removal of pigmentation should be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist. First, you need to identify its cause, and only then decide how to get rid of age spots at home: using folk recipes or industrially produced creams.
Reasons for the formation of age spots
The main reason for the appearance of pigment spots is the improper “working” of melanocytes—the cells that synthesize melanin. This pigment is necessary to protect the skin from the aggressive effects of ultraviolet radiation. Under the influence of a number of factors, the process of its production is disrupted, and an excess amount of the substance is produced. It is unevenly distributed in tissues, forming age spots. Depending on the amount of pigment, areas of the epidermis acquire a color from yellowish to dark brown.
This happens for various reasons. The most common ones are:
- mechanical damage (for example, burns or wounds) after which the dermis loses its resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
- lack of vitamins B, C, D, E, A, copper, nicotinic or folic acids, zinc in the body;
- excessive passion for tanning;
- taking certain medications that increase photosensitivity of the skin;
- excess iron;
- genetic predisposition;
- alcoholism;
- abuse of cosmetics with essential oils.
When choosing how to remove pigmentation at home, it is important to consider that a cosmetic defect can be a symptom of a dangerous disease of internal organs.
Attention: age spots appear due to pathologies of the liver, kidneys, gall bladder or intestines.
Often hyperpigmentation is caused by hormonal imbalances in the body. They can be caused by diseases of the endocrine system or natural causes. Thus, marks appear in women during pregnancy or menopause. In the first case, the defect is not associated with pathological changes; in most cases, an even complexion is restored after the birth of a child and the end of lactation, but sometimes it is necessary to remove pigment spots on the face. Some ladies “stain” on certain days of the menstrual cycle.
Age requirements
The most popular reason for the appearance of unsightly dark or light areas is age. The dermis becomes less elastic, pliable, it becomes thinner, loses its natural elasticity, and becomes covered with unwanted formations that have different “dislocations”:
- face;
- breast;
- neck;
- neckline;
- hands;
- legs;
- back.
Neither the shape, nor the quantity, nor the color of such manifestations depend in any way on skin tone or exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In women, pigments often appear after menopause, when the body undergoes powerful hormonal changes. In such cases, a good solution would be the active drug Curacen, which not only prevents the development of both small and large wrinkles, smoothes and cleanses, and eliminates age-related darkening.
Is it possible to get rid of age spots at home?
It is quite possible to remove mild pigmentation on your own that is not associated with diseases of the internal organs. At home, you can use industrial products (creams, ointments, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics) or prepare skin care compositions from products that every housewife has in her kitchen.
Traditional medicine suggests using the following forms of products for whitening the dermis:
- masks;
- lotions;
- compresses;
- lotions.
The last two types of procedures are designed to quickly eliminate seasonal pigmentation. It is advisable to use masks and lotions constantly to maintain the achieved result.
Attention: it is forbidden to treat birthmarks with any composition, they have the ability to degenerate. A malignant tumor may form at the site of the removed mole.
It is advisable to consult a dermatologist before getting rid of age spots on your face at home. The doctor will examine the affected areas, find out the cause of the defect, and recommend safe, effective remedies.
The following have a pronounced brightening effect:
- fruit, berry, vegetable juices;
- decoctions of medicinal herbs;
- dairy products;
- cosmetic clays;
- essential and vegetable oils.
The advantages of home remedies are their availability, relative safety, ease of preparation and use. The downside is that they (unlike salon procedures) do not give an immediate effect. To achieve results, folk remedies should be used for two to four weeks.
Lemon, parsley, cucumber against cosmetic formulas.
The Internet is full of the most effective, simplest, cheapest, most popular methods of eliminating pigmentation, from those that are ineffective to those that are aggressively dangerous to skin health. Therefore, we consider it necessary to provide our rating of whitening products with an emphasis on safety of use. If the effectiveness of the remedy is accompanied by the risk of complications, then is it necessary to use this remedy?
How many ingredients do you think are recommended and presented as folk remedies for pigmentation? You won’t believe it, the total number of reliable and proven ingredients is about 70 units. And this is only on five sites that are in the top in Yandex for the corresponding request. And these are just the components.
Imagine how many masks, lotions, decoctions, and tonics you can mix from this amount of ingredients; you could write a thick cookbook. But all you need to do is reduce melanin synthesis and stimulate renewal.
This list of 70 includes,
really well-known remedies are lemon and parsley,
effective, but relatively aggressive - kojic acid, retinol,
little-known in terms of whitening - sauerkraut, onions, glycerin, boric acid, vitamin E.
To be fair, it must be said that boric acid, as one of the components of home remedies, is indeed used for lightening. But how effective are each of the 70 ingredients? What is the degree of aggression? How to choose the one that's right for you? What will be the evaluation criterion, your disappointment in effectiveness or irritation after using aggressive ingredients?
Common sense dictates that it is wiser to entrust the preparation of effective external products to well-known cosmetic brands (more on this a little later) or to opt for generally recommended folk remedies.
Peeling at home
One of the most effective procedures in the fight against pigmentation is exfoliation of the upper layer of the epidermis, covered with spots. Peels can be performed in a beauty salon or at home.
In the first case, it is necessary to contact only qualified specialists, since very aggressive substances are used for manipulation, which, if handled improperly, can cause serious burns and aggravate skin problems.
Compositions for independent procedures are much gentler. Good exfoliators contain:
- ground fruit seeds;
- salt;
- coal;
- natural acids, some other abrasives.
Despite the gentle components used in home-use formulations, they must be used with caution.
Exfoliating every day won't do any good. With such active exposure, the dermis does not have time to recover, loses its structure, and loses its ability to protect the body from negative influences.
It is permissible to use peelings no more than twice a week. Immediately after the manipulation you should not go out into the sun, so it is better to do them in the evening before bed. The compositions should only be applied to thoroughly cleansed skin. You can buy suitable cosmetics in the store or prepare it yourself.
Peeling with lemon juice
Lemon is one of the most effective natural remedies for combating pigmentation. The juice of the fruit gently removes dead cells from the surface of the skin and stimulates tissue regeneration. The tone of the face is evened out, the dermis becomes soft and velvety.
The use of dimexide for excessive pigmentation
Dimexide is a drug that is often used to prepare homemade cosmetics. Due to its properties to enhance blood circulation and accelerate regeneration processes, its use increases the effectiveness of other ingredients included in the product. That is why dimexide is often included in masks for skin depigmentation. The following folk remedies for skin whitening with dimexide are most often used:
- a product with the addition of aspirin, white coal and rosehip oil. It is recommended to take 2 ml of dimexide and dilute it in 20 ml of chamomile decoction. After this, you need to add 5 g of white coal and aspirin and 10-12 ml of rosehip oil to the mixture. Before applying this mask, be sure to thoroughly cleanse the skin, then apply the product in a circular motion for 3-8 minutes.
- product with dimexide and ascorutin. This vitamin mask helps improve regeneration processes, smoothes out fine wrinkles and fights hyperpigmentation well. To prepare it you will need 1 ml of dimexide (it must be diluted in 10 ml of chamomile or sage decoction), 5 g of ascorutin, as well as 10 g of vitamin E and oatmeal. All ingredients must be mixed in a ceramic bowl and rubbed into the skin for 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to complete the procedure with a contrast wash for 5 minutes.
- a product using dimexide and solcoseryl. This product not only helps in the fight against excessive pigmentation, but also rejuvenates the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to use this mask when senile lentigo appears. To prepare it, you need to take 1 ml of dimexide (diluted in 10 ml of clean water), as well as 10-12 g of solcoseryl (ointment) and 5-7 ml of almond oil. All ingredients must be mixed and applied to the face (on average, for 10-15 minutes), rinse off the residue with cool water. It is recommended to make a mask before going to bed, no more than once every 3 days.
Cream mask
Dairy products have been used in cosmetology since ancient times. Cream is one of the most affordable, effective means for improving skin structure and complexion.
To eliminate pigmented areas, you can make a mask based on this product. It will require:
- 2 tbsp. cream;
- 2 tsp olive oil;
- juice squeezed from half a lemon.
Mix the cream well with the butter, then slowly add the lemon juice. Apply the mixture to the skin and wash after 15 minutes.
This mask is suitable for girls with any type of dermis. It not only whitens spots, but also saturates the epidermis with nutrients, giving the tissues softness and elasticity.
Cucumber mask
Thanks to its unique composition, the vegetable perfectly moisturizes, brightens the skin, and has a general rejuvenating and anti-inflammatory effect.
There are many recipes for homemade cosmetics based on cucumber. Here are some of them:
- Mix two tablespoons of grated vegetable with a teaspoon of honey. This mask helps to remove even age spots on the face;
- 2 tbsp. combine cucumber pulp with 1 tsp. lemon juice. This mask is not suitable for sensitive skin.
With regular application of such masks, pimples will disappear, peeling, and wrinkles will smooth out. An additional advantage of using cucumber will be the removal of puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.
Homemade tonic
Whitening tonic at home can be prepared in the following way:
- Chop the parsley leaves.
- Pour a glass of boiling water.
- Keep on low heat for 15 minutes.
- Cool.
- Pour in 1 tsp. lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
- Pour into a container with a tight lid.
Wipe your face with the resulting liquid twice a day. The lotion effectively lightens freckles and age spots, gives the skin freshness, radiance, and tightens pores. The finished product should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than two weeks. While using it, do not go outside without sunscreen.
Prevention
The first and main preventive measure is proper protection from the harmful effects of direct sunlight. It is worth remembering that you can safely stay under ultraviolet light for no more than 10-15 minutes, after which the risk of getting a burn increases significantly. You should always apply sunscreen to prevent problems.
The second thing that should not be forgotten is regular health checks. Don’t be afraid to visit a doctor, get tested and find out your current condition. After all, it is much easier to prevent a problem than to deal with it later. It won’t hurt to change your clothes to natural ones, throw out chafing and tight things, and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Crema
A good epidermis whitening cream should perform two tasks: exfoliate the top layer of skin covered with pigmentation, and also prevent excess melanin production.
When choosing a product, you need to study the composition. Quality products contain:
- vitamins;
- plant extracts;
- antioxidants;
- tretinol;
- natural acids.
The following creams for age spots are popular among women:
- Achromin protects the dermis from ultraviolet radiation and promotes the destruction of pigment;
- Melanativ is an English-made drug. Effective against any pigmentation (including senile marks, appearance defects in pregnant women);
- Clearvin is a very effective remedy. The result is noticeable after using the cream for a week. Among the disadvantages, many consumers note a repulsive odor and greasy texture;
- Clotrimazole is an antifungal drug with whitening properties;
- Boro Plus not only fights pigmentation, but also eliminates rashes and irritations;
- Idealia Pro is a fairly expensive but effective serum. It fights dark spots on the skin of people of any age and prevents their reappearance.
Whitening cosmetics should be applied twice a day, but at least an hour before leaving the house. Under the influence of sunlight, pigment in the treated areas of the skin is synthesized more intensely. Be sure to use products with UV protection. Lightening creams should only be rubbed into the spots, without touching the surrounding skin. The course of treatment with the drugs varies from 21 to 90 days. Before purchasing a cream, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist.
In men
The stronger sex may also well suffer from such a common problem, but its prerequisites are somewhat different:
- Sensitive and excessively thin dermis.
- Genetics.
- Neuroses, constant stress.
- Excess estrogen.
- Lack of minerals and vitamins.
- Age over 45 years.
- Smoking, drinking alcohol, hazardous work conditions.
Some of the reasons naturally overlap with “female” ones.
Pharmacy products
Pharmaceutical drugs against pigmentation can be divided into two groups: for internal and external use.
The first includes various dietary supplements for improving the skin. They include: zinc, magnesium, sulfur, vitamins (B12, A, C, PP, E, B9, B2, B7). These components act on the skin from the inside, replenishing the lack of nutrients necessary for the epidermis.
External products presented in pharmacy chains are developed for the treatment of other diseases. Their whitening effect is a “side” effect. You should use pharmaceutical drugs for cosmetic purposes with extreme caution - they have a number of medical contraindications, in the presence of which any use of the drug is prohibited.
From pharmacy products, you can independently prepare various masks or ointments that quickly eliminate hyperpigmentation.
Natural acids: lactic, salicylic, azelaic, kojic, glycolic
These chemical compounds even out skin tone by removing the top layer of dead epidermal cells. Dosed injury to the integument stimulates recovery processes. The face looks young and radiant.
The following natural acids are useful for the dermis:
- Glycolic increases the density of the integument, activates the production of its own collagen. As a result, small facial wrinkles disappear, pores become narrower;
- salicylic acid is suitable for problem skin. It relieves inflammation, prevents the appearance of rashes, acne, blackheads, and eliminates greasy shine;
- azelaic acid blocks the synthesis of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin;
- milk promotes natural hydration of the skin, prolongs the youth of dry, flaking-prone dermis;
- Kojic acid has a targeted lightening effect and is included in many whitening preparations. The downside of the substance is the high risk of developing allergic reactions.
Acids should not be used constantly. The following scheme for removing age spots on the face is considered optimal: carry out regular procedures for three months, then take a three-month break, then repeat the course.
Arbutin
Arbutin is found in extracts of bearberry, pears of various varieties, blueberries, cranberries and mulberries. The substance penetrates into the deep layers of the dermis, suppresses the activity of melanocytes, preventing the formation of new pigmented areas, and lightens already formed marks.
Attention: if the dosage in the product is not observed, arbutin leads to the opposite result. The skin's tolerance to ultraviolet radiation decreases, and age spots from the sun become more noticeable.
You should only purchase arbutin-based creams at pharmacies, large cosmetics stores, or on the official websites of manufacturers. In addition to whitening, high-quality preparations have the following effects on the skin:
- protect from ultraviolet radiation;
- calm down;
- relieve inflammation;
- stimulate blood flow in capillaries;
- promote oxygen saturation of tissues;
- accelerate metabolic processes.
In whitening cosmetics (for example, from Japanese manufacturers), instead of natural arbutin, they use its derivative, synthesized using a laboratory enzyme. It is more effective than its plant counterpart and is also not a tissue carcinogen.
Arbutin is effective against freckles and age spots. Ladies with sensitive dry skin will have to get rid of pigmentation on their face using less aggressive means. Arbutin can cause irritation on delicate, thin surfaces.
Zinc ointment
Zinc ointment is widely used in cosmetology and has virtually no contraindications or side effects. Its main active substance is zinc oxide, which is a natural ultraviolet filter. Coming into contact with the surface of the skin, the compound provides an astringent effect, reduces the functionality of the sebaceous glands, whitens hyperpigmented areas of the face, slows down the aging process, and fights sunburn.
How to treat dark spots on the face
If pigment spots occur or skin tone changes, you should consult a dermatologist.
The basis of treating pigmentation is identifying and eliminating the cause of its occurrence. This may require a full examination of the body, as well as recommendations from a therapist, gynecologist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist. Having made a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a course of treatment, as a result of which the pigmentation will either disappear or lighten, after which it will be much easier to eradicate it.
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Pigmentation will completely disappear due to the restoration of hormone function, long-term intake of vitamins and minerals to normalize metabolic processes, and local treatment is additionally required.
The logical result of proper therapy will be the disappearance of spots or their discoloration, after which their complete removal is a matter of time. Local therapy consists of the use of products that ensure stabilization of metabolic processes in the skin, scrubs and bleaching agents, laser treatment and light therapy, and other beauty salon procedures.
