Sometimes, due to physical work, exposure to the sun or the individual characteristics of the epidermis, the skin of the hands darkens and becomes covered with pigment spots. If you are faced with such a problem, quickly read the material - here you will find as many as 10 ways to help whiten your hands at home.
In this article:
Lemon tonicSoda maskPotato maskWith kiwi, cucumber and clayCucumber tonicOatmeal with milkPeroxide lotionsParsley with dandelionAlginate masksANA acids
Lemon tonic
Photo by cottonbro: Pexels
Let's start with the simplest and most obvious method - lemon juice. As you probably know, lemon has proven itself to be an excellent bleaching and brightening agent. If you carefully study the labels of cosmetic products with a whitening effect, you will definitely see lemon extract in one of the first five positions in the composition.
Thus, the brightening property of lemon is not an old wives' tale, but a fact fully confirmed by cosmetics manufacturers.
So, what can a lemon do:
- lighten pigmentation;
- even out skin tone;
- lighten yellowed nails;
- exfoliate dead skin cells of the epidermis.
The downside is that lemon dries out the skin if used in its pure form. As a result, you will get fair but very dry skin. Therefore, we recommend balancing lemon juice with humectants.
How to whiten your hands at home?
Keep a simple recipe for tonic: 30 ml lemon juice, 100 ml still mineral water, a tablespoon of glycerin. Mix everything, pour into a bottle and wipe your hands with this mixture 2-3 times a day.
Caution: under no circumstances go out into the sun after using this tonic. Lemon also increases the photosensitivity of the skin, so a walk in the sun without sunscreen is fraught with new age spots.
Types of age spots on hands
Depending on the origin, pigmentation is divided into several types:
- freckles appear on exposed areas of the skin and are caused by a genetic predisposition;
- lentigo - age-related pigment spots of a round shape, brown in color. More often they form on the hands and fingers, in the forearms;
- moles are benign formations. They are not dangerous, but have the ability to become malignant;
- chloasma - marks that appear against the background of hormonal problems;
- keratomas are grayish-yellow scaly plaques. They form on the arms, neck, back, décolleté, and sometimes on other parts of the body. They are recommended to be removed due to the likelihood of degeneration;
- Xanthoma of the eyelids (xanthelasma) is a yellowish-orange dense elastic growth. In most cases, they form in the corners of the eyes of older ladies.
The coloring of hyperpigmented areas is also of great diagnostic importance. So:
- yellow marks appear due to problems with the liver, gall bladder, and lipid metabolism disorders;
- brown formations are a sign of deficiency of vitamins C and PP;
- red rashes are usually not pigmentation, but a symptom of dermatological pathology. Sometimes they occur against the background of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
A separate type of defect is white pigment spots. The most common cause of their appearance is the autoimmune disease vitiligo. It is characterized by the complete disappearance of melanin in some areas of the epidermis, resulting in the formation of depigmented marks with unclear boundaries.
White spots also form when:
- fungal invasion (pathogen type - Malassezia);
- idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis;
- apigmented nevus;
- Lichen alba.
If the marks are caused by a disease, it will not be possible to get rid of them until the underlying pathology is cured (or a stable remission occurs). You can get rid of age-related pigmentation with the help of cosmetics or hardware manipulations.
Soda mask
This recipe is based on the brightening effect of lemon and mechanical peeling with soda. Suitable for evening out skin tone. Can be used as an intensive peeling 1-2 times a week, even if you have no complaints about your hand skin.
So, for the mask you need:
- soda – 4 tbsp. l;
- lemon juice - a quarter glass;
- cool water - literally a couple of spoons.
Mix everything and immediately apply to the skin of your hands, put on plastic gloves on top. You can additionally massage your hands with grains of soda until it dissolves in the water. After 15 minutes, take off your gloves, wash your hands with soap, apply your favorite cream.
In what cases is it necessary to remove tan?
As you know, tanning is not only beautiful, but also harmful to health, especially if you get it quickly and in large quantities. Therefore, the desire to get rid of a tan can be for two reasons:
- For health reasons.
- Due to its unsightly appearance.
From a health perspective, tanning can affect the overall condition of the skin, drying it out and depriving it of elasticity, then whitening the body is simply necessary. Of course, it is also worth getting rid of a tan in cases where irritation is noticed in the form of rashes and redness. Excessive roughness of the skin is also a reason to wash it off.
It is especially important to get rid of dark color when too much time has been spent in the open sun, the skin has become significantly sunburned, and burns have appeared. This is manifested by red skin, burning, itching.
It is important to know! If blisters appear at the site of the tan, the skin turns red, and a burning sensation appears, under no circumstances should the tan be removed and you should immediately consult a doctor.
As for the unaesthetic appearance, it can be noted that tanning should be removed from the body if the skin is unevenly colored or when age spots appear. Of course, a layer of dark color is removed when traces of a swimsuit remain, or the outline of sunglasses is visible on the face.
Potato mask
Regular boiled potatoes are a storehouse of benefits for your skin. In addition, it also perfectly brightens the skin, so it is recommended for combating age spots.
Photo by Arina Krasnikova: Pexels
To prepare the mask, mash the boiled potatoes with a fork and add a little milk. Apply the warm mixture to the handles under the gloves. Leave for 20 minutes and rinse with water. Even though the brightening effect of potatoes is inferior to lemon juice, your hands will not be dry after such a mask.
How to whiten the skin of your hands at home
Only very young girls can have perfectly white hands, without flaws or darkening. And that was on condition that these hands did not know household chores like peeling new potatoes or washing the kitchen. All other ladies will need to try to ensure that their hands do not give away their age or occupation and do not spoil the overall impression.
It’s good to visit a salon and undergo special procedures for whitening your hands, as well as get a manicure. Of course, to do this you need to make an appointment in advance and set aside time for the hike.
With kiwi, cucumber and clay
In home beauty recipes, kiwi is often used as an alternative to acid peeling. The fact is that kiwi is the leader in the amount of fruit acids. As you know, they perfectly exfoliate the skin, promote the renewal of epidermal cells, and lighten pigmentation.
Hand peeling:
- kiwi – 1 piece;
- cucumber – 1 piece;
- juice of a quarter of a lemon;
- White clay;
- water.
Mash the kiwi with a fork, pass the cucumber through a blender or grate. Mix their gruel and add lemon to it. In a separate bowl, prepare a clay mask: pour half a bag of kaolin with warm water and stir. Then combine both mixtures and apply to your hands. Wrap them in cling film, put on cotton gloves on top and leave the mask on for 20 minutes.
Photo by Kristina Paukshtite: Pexels
Drug treatment
Medicines for pigmentation are prescribed by a dermatologist after a complete examination of the patient and establishment of the exact causes of the appearance of a cosmetic defect.
Depending on the identified disease, therapy may include:
- hormonal agents;
- antidiarrheal medications;
- tablets for the treatment of gastritis, stomach ulcers;
- probiotics;
- laxatives;
- diuretics;
- vitamin complexes.
Attention: any medications are allowed to be taken only as prescribed by a doctor!
It is not possible to get rid of pathological pigmentation using cosmetic methods alone. Without normalization of the functioning of the corresponding body systems, the spots will appear again.
Lotions with peroxide
If you have individual pigment spots on your hands, you can target them point by point. To do this, take regular hydrogen peroxide, apply it to a cotton pad, and apply the disc to the stain. Leave for 10 minutes, rinse your hands with water and apply moisturizer.
There are endless debates about the dangers of peroxide. However, according to doctors, it generally does not pose a health hazard. But it is not recommended to apply it to wounds, since this solution slows down tissue regeneration. Please note that if you have cracks on your hands, it is better not to use peroxide, as it will cause dryness and the cracks will take longer to heal.
Causes of age spots on the hands after 40 years and 50 years
Pigmentation on the hands appears due to the uneven distribution of melanin pigment in skin cells, its excessive (or insufficient) synthesis. Spots can form in people of any gender and age. After 40 years, marks are often one of the signs of natural aging. The body's regeneration and metabolism processes slow down, the production of its own collagen and elastin decreases, and the condition of the skin worsens. Particularly affected are areas of the body that, for the most part, are not protected by clothing and are more exposed to the negative effects of the environment than others.
The appearance of dark spots in both women and men over 50 years of age is considered normal. However, there are a number of factors that contribute to the intensive formation of marks.
The main causes of pigmentation disorders on the hands:
- genetic predisposition;
- endocrine diseases;
- smoking;
- hormonal imbalance (for example, during menopause);
- kidney or liver pathologies;
- prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Age spots are common among bronze tanners;
- avitaminosis;
- injury to the integument;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- use of low-quality creams;
- constant hypothermia;
- a course of taking certain medications (such as retinoids, tetracycline antibiotics, and others);
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- constant contact with harmful chemicals without personal protective equipment.
Pigment spots themselves are not a disease, but can be a sign of certain disorders in the body.
Parsley with dandelion
Folk recipe for skin whitening. Take a bunch of parsley and about the same amount of fresh dandelions. Grind in a blender, apply the pulp to the skin of your hands and leave for half an hour. Since the mixture is quite fluid, you can stabilize it with clay. Just sprinkle in a little powder to get the consistency you want.
Photo by Artem Beliaikin: Pexels
Pour the remaining product with mineral water to create a brightening tonic. It can be used for both hands and face.
Whitening with Vaseline
Vaseline is an inexpensive pharmaceutical product that every child knows. In addition to all its positive properties, it also allows you to whiten the skin of your hands well. To do this, just apply a little Vaseline and rub it over the surface of your hands. A particularly positive effect will be noticeable if you use cotton gloves.
It is advisable to carry out the procedure at night. The next day you will immediately notice an improvement in the condition of the skin on your hands. It will be smooth, fresh and radiant, and after a short therapy the dermis will become much lighter.
AHA acids
If you don’t want to bother making homemade masks, you can use any peeling with AHA acids to whiten your hands. True, fruit peels for the face can be rather weak, since they often contain less than 10% acids (we are talking about household peels).
It’s great if you have a special fruit peeling for your hands and body. Typically, the concentration of active substances in such a product is higher, from 20%, which will provide an excellent lightening effect.
Photo by cottonbro: Pexels
If you don’t use peelings, but you have a facial tonic with fruit acids, great, use it for your hands. As a rule, tonics contain no more than 5% acids, so don’t expect instant results. To enhance the effect, soak a cotton pad with tonic, apply to the skin, and wrap with cling film on top. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse with water and moisturize your hands.
By the way, you can supplement your care with a whitening face cream, if you have one in your arsenal. Just apply it to your hands before going to bed under your gloves - it will work while you rest. If there is no whitening cream for the face, it is better to purchase a special brightening night cream for hands - in such a product the percentage of whitening components will be higher.
Cosmetology procedures
You can quickly and effectively remove age spots on your hands in a beauty salon. Cosmetologists do this in several ways.
Here are the most popular of them:
- Laser whitening is recognized as a safe, low-traumatic method of therapy. The beam specifically “burns out” the pigmented layer of the epidermis, and healthy skin of an even shade is formed in its place. Neighboring tissues are not damaged. Several sessions are required to achieve a lasting result, but after the first the marks become significantly lighter;
- Chemical peeling involves exfoliating the surface using a special acid-based composition. The procedures vary in depth of impact. With the help of deep peeling, even dark old spots can be eliminated, but its use is permissible only for medical reasons. This method is not suitable for people with sensitive skin;
- cryotherapy is a procedure for “freezing out” the problematic epidermis with liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of ultra-low temperatures, the top layer of integument dies and is renewed. The disadvantages of the procedure are the duration of the course, complications are possible in the form of loss of sensitivity of the treated area;
- ELOS is a type of laser therapy. At the first stage of manipulation, the deep layers of the dermis are exposed to infrared radiation, which increases the sensitivity of the fibers. On the second - a laser that destroys melanin;
- dermabrasion - grinding of hands with a special device with a rotating head. The skin is pre-treated with an abrasive compound. The procedure stimulates the synthesis of your own collagen, restoration processes are accelerated, pigment does not accumulate, and complexion is evened out.
Attention: all therapeutic measures must be carried out by a qualified cosmetologist in a specialized medical institution. Incorrect selection of substances or device settings can cause serious injury.
When pigmentation is provoked by diseases of internal organs or metabolic disorders, the use of pharmaceutical drugs is required.
Fragrant perfume
Fragrant and rich in various ingredients, the products help take care of your hands. Frequent contact with water causes the skin to become rough. Popular creams with different textures:
- "Intense Nutrision" (Decleor) - a nutritional complex for dry skin;
- Nutrix Royl Mains from Lancome - restoring cream;
- “Regenerating” complex from Garnier is a protective cream for sensitive skin.
To prevent the dermis from drying out, experts advise using gel or soap for washing your hands, which contains glycerin, moisturizing and soothing ingredients.
Many women devote the summer season to gardening, and they do not always have a suitable gel or bath product on hand. There are simple ways to clean and restore the skin of your hands using available products.
Precautionary measures
To avoid harm to the skin when performing procedures at home, it is important to take certain precautions.
- Before using any product, make sure you are not allergic to it. To do this, perform a test on a small area of skin. Apply the product for a couple of hours and see how the skin reacts.
- Almost all whitening formulations dry out the skin, so after using them you need to apply a moisturizer. After bleaching your skin, try to protect it from direct sunlight. This will avoid injury to the dermis and the appearance of age spots.
- Do not apply bleaching products to damaged skin or the eye area.
In some cases, at-home whitening may be contraindicated. Bleaching products are not recommended for:
- the presence of various skin diseases;
- the presence of open wounds on the skin;
- proneness to allergies;
- increased skin sensitivity.
Before you decide to go for at-home whitening, consider your skin type.
Follow the instructions exactly when performing procedures. Otherwise, you may get burns or dry skin.
Causes of bad complexion
The skin of the inhabitants of central and northern Europe is naturally white and easily burns in the sun. As soon as you lie on the beach a little longer or forget to apply protective cream against UV rays, it turns red and after a couple of days begins to peel off. As a result, the tan does not apply evenly. Finding yourself in such situations from year to year can provoke the appearance of age spots, especially unwanted ones on the face.
Red-haired girls with thin, light skin develop freckles when exposed to sunlight, even in winter.
It is important for them to use a protective lotion or cream on a clear winter day in the city and at ski resorts. If freckles still bother you and spoil your mood, a whitening mask will be a wonderful solution.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9C0lrTOXQl8
Hormonal imbalance is a common cause of pigmentation in young women. If this is the problem, then cosmetics will help little. A visit to the doctor and prescribed treatment will restore health to the body, after which the skin color will quickly restore.
Acne whitening compounds
Hydrogen peroxide is used to lighten skin, combat breakouts, oiliness and acne marks.
Yeast mask
Dry yeast is diluted with hydrogen peroxide to a paste, which can be applied to problem areas with a cotton swab.
Shaving foam mask
For preparation you need:
- spoon of shaving foam;
- 4 ml hydrogen peroxide;
- 4 drops of ammonia.
This composition can whiten dark spots and improve the condition of facial skin.
Baby powder product
Mix a little baby powder and hydrogen peroxide until it becomes a paste. This whitening agent is applied directly to problem areas.
