Pigmentation is one the most common skin problems faced by women all over the world. Although not too serious, it can still be detrimental to self-esteem. Pigmentation is basically skin discoloration in the form of dark or light patches, usually occurring on the face caused by a change in the production of melanin. Largely there are 2 types of pigmentation: hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation leads to brown spots or dark patches on the skin. Hypopigmentation leads to light patches on the skin. Prolonged sun exposure, genetics, and allergies can also cause pigmentation. Note: Sunlight worsens pigmentation, so don’t forget to slather on the sunscreen before you leave the house!
Home Remedies To Remove Pigmentation
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Pigmentation Uneven Skin Tone
Don’t let pigmentation bring you down. Dark patches, blemishes, uneven skin tone? Not any more! Get rid of pigmentation problems with these easy home remedies for an uneven skin tone!
Pow-Pow Potato!
Potatoes are those magical carbs we dread eating in the fear of weight gain, but if applied topically they will change the clarity of your skin. Potatoes work very well on lightening the skin, especially pigmented areas, dark spots and blemishes.
Method 1 – Slice up a potato, rub it on your skin daily for a few minutes and watch those dark spots disappear.
Method 2 – You can even use potato juice with a cotton pad on affected areas or mix it up with fuller’s earth for a spot treatment.
Honey And Lime Or Lime And Turmeric
A combination of honey and lime is good for your face too! Lime has natural bleaching properties and honey contains moisturizing properties. Together this is a power packed home remedy for pigmentation.
Method 1 – Mix lemon juice with 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey and apply this to your skin.
Method 2 – Lime and turmeric work too. Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric to 1 tablespoon of lime. Apply on the affected area and rinse thoroughly with cold water. With lime, always remember to apply this at night and not during the day. Those with sensitive skin should do a patch test first.
Red Onions To The Rescue
Red onions work wonders for pigmentation, dark spots, freckles and blemishes.
Method – Rub some onion slices or apply onion juice on the affected area for 10 minutes and wash thoroughly.
Tomato, Oatmeal And Yoghurt
Just like lime, tomato and yoghurt also act as natural bleaching agents; oatmeal serves as a gentle skin scrub.
Step 1 – Add 2 teaspoons of oatmeal and half a teaspoon of yoghurt to tomato juice to create a thick paste.
Step 2 – Apply this on the problem areas for a maximum of 20 minutes and rinse off in gentle circular motions to exfoliate your skin. You can use this on a daily basis to quickly get rid of pigmentation.
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Magical Aloe Vera
Aloe is a truly magical plant. It offers solutions for a host of skin problems. Aloe boosts skin regeneration, helps soften and lighten the skin, eases suntan and helps combat dryness.
Step 1 – Slice up an aloe leaf and rub the gel directly on your skin. Leave this on overnight or wash off before you go to bed.
Step 2 – Adding Vitamin E to this mixture is optional, but it will certainly boost skin healing and rejuvenation.
Ever Cool Cucumber
Cucumber is very helpful in reducing pigmentation, fading freckles and blemishes. It cools and tones your skin too.
Step 1 – Take 1 tablespoon of cucumber juice with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and mix well.
Step 2 – Apply it on your entire face or spot treat. Wash this off after 15-20 minutes.
Milk And Raw Papaya
Papaya is an excellent home remedy for dark spots and pigmentation since its loaded papain and alpha hydroxy acids, enzymes that help fight against cell damage. The lactic acid present in milk is a brightening agent that helps reduce pigmentation.
Step 1: Mix half a cup of diced raw papaya and two tablespoons of raw milk in a bowl.
Step 2: Apply the paste all over your face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is excellent when used on the skin. It has skin lightening properties and is also a great astringent for skin.
Step 1 – Mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water.
Step 2 – Dab this on the affected area and leave it on for about 5 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Do this twice daily for a few weeks. You can also use apple cider vinegar as a skin toner. It is great for those with acne-prone and oily skin.
Zesty Oranges
Orange peel contains citric acid, which has great bleaching properties and aid skin renewal. It can help to get rid of dark spots and pigmentation. If you do not have fresh orange peel, orange peel powder works too.
Step 1 – Add 1 teaspoon each of lemon juice, honey and milk to 1 full tablespoon of orange peel powder.
Step 2 – Combine all the ingredients and apply to the entire face or affected area. Rinse off by massaging in circular motions. Repeat up to 3 times a week until you see changes in your skin tone.
Sugar, Lemon, And Coconut Oil
Lemon is a natural astringent that come extremely handy in diminishing blemishes and dark spots. While sugar exfoliates the dead skin cells, coconut oil makes sure that your skin remains moisturized, thus maintaining an even skin tone.
Step 1: Mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and half teaspoon of ceramic juice in a ceramic bowl.
Step 2: Apply the mask on your face and gently scrub it on the target areas, and move in circular motions.
Step 3: Repeat this for five minutes.
Step 4: Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Chandan Ka Chaal
Sandalwood is known to enhance the complexion and cool the skin, making it look more youthful over time. It works as an effective blood purifier and helps fight blemishes and the appearance of dark patches.
Step 1 – Mix 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder with rose water to form a thick paste.
Step 2 – Apply this over the affected areas and leave for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. You can follow this remedy once or even twice daily for a few weeks until you see a change in your skin tone.
Milk, Baking Soda, and Gram Flour
The combination of milk, baking soda, and gram flour is a holy trinity when it comes to removal of pigmentation. Where baking soda is a natural exfoliator, gram flour makes our skin firm while milk maintains the natural pH of our skin. The combination makes skin tone even, thus making it look dewy and refreshed!
Step 1: Mix 2 teaspoons of milk, one teaspoon of baking soda, and one teaspoon of gram flour in a bowl and apply it evenly on your face.
Step 2: Let the mixture dry.
Step 3: Wash it off with cold water.
Multani Mitti, Neem, Tulsi, And Rose Water
This home remedy is something our grandmothers collectively swear by! Not only does tulsi repair your skin at a cellular level, but it also evens out your skin tone. Neem’s antibacterial properties also get rid of germs while multani mitti shrinks your pores.
Step 1: Mix one teaspoon of multani mitti, one teaspoon of tulsi powder, one teaspoon of neem powder, and one tablespoon of rosewater in a bowl and make a paste.
Step 2: Apply the paste evenly on your face and wait till it dries.
Step 3: Wash it off with cold water and pat dry.
Causes Of Pigmentation
While we’ve let you in on our favourite home remedies to fix uneven skin tone, let us now take a look at what all factors actually cause pigmentation. For prevention is better than cure, right?
Sun Exposure
While there is nothing wrong with coveting that envious tan, make sure that you don’t go out in the sun without slathering on some copious amount of sunscreen. If not taken care of, pigmentation due to sun damage could even become permanent!
Hormonal Imbalance
Pigmentation could also be the result of hormonal imbalance in your body. Fluctuations in hormonal levels due to stress, pregnancy, menopause, or during your menstrual cycle could also lead to pigmentation. We suggest you consult your doctor if you suspect hormones to be the culprit.
Ageing
Pigmentation is also a natural byproduct of ageing. As you age, some age spots will start showing up all over your skin, which is totally natural. To stave off the occurrence of dark spots, take supreme care of your health and skin!
Post Inflammation
This pigmentation takes place as a result of residual injury that you may have had, or a result of acne and pimples. These are totally normal and can be easily healed by following the above-mentioned home remedies for an uneven skin tone on the face!
Genetics
Try as you might, your pigmentation could just be a part of your natural genetic makeup! If your parents developed pigmentation early on in their years, then there are chances that you’ll get it too! But you can still follow our remedies to keep damage to a minimum!
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