Removing Dark Spots on the Face: Effective Methods and Prevention Strategies
Battling with unsightly dark spots on your mug? You're not alone, buddy. Explore proven treatments and get the lowdown on how to vanquish dark spots on your face, from potent topicals to DIY remedies. Learn what works, what to dodge, and achieve a smoother, clearer visage.
While some folks are into jazzing up their face with phony freckles, others are here to tackle dark spots. Different strokes for different folks, right?
If you're grappling with dark spots on your face, chances are you've got hyperpigmentation. Put simply, your skin goes haywire, producing an excess of melanin (the stuff that gives color to your skin) in concentrated areas.
Hyperpigmentation often stems from acne scars, extended sun exposure, or hormonal shifts during pregnancy or menopause. Though these spots are innocuous, you might wanna get rid of them for appearance's sake. Do your thang!
There's no shortage of topicals to aid in lightening and brightening those dark spots, but some products are downright treacherous. To get down to the nitty-gritty, here's the scoop on the finest ways to address dark spots on your face, plus how to spot troublemaking treatments.
How to eliminate dark spots from your face
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), most dark spots eventually fade, but it may take some time. If you can't wait, relax—plenty of treatments can help zap 'em.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone ranks as the most popular topical dark spot lightener, but it's also a bit risky. Its sketchy past includes being used as an all-over skin lightener, but we'll save that sordid tale for another day.
A teeny 2013 study found 4 percent hydroquinone effective in battling facial melasma[6]. However, since it harbors risks, it's recommended people use hydroquinone on a temporary basis, and only in targeted areas, if at all.
Though previously available over the counter, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) altered its status in 2021, so now you'll only be able to score hydroquinone via prescription. While considered safe for cosmetic use, there are potential safety risks at higher concentrations.
There's a whole whack of concerns that hydroquinone might induce cancer. Though more research is required to know for certain, a 2021 research review concluded it's highly toxic to aquatic life and rodents, possibly causing leukemia, liver cancer, or specific tumors in animals[7].
Since its safety is mostly a mystery, it's not FDA-approved. Furthermore, it's banned in places like the EU, Australia, and Japan. In Canada, it's classified as toxic. In the U.K., the public has been urged by the government to avoid it "at all costs"[8].
Should your dermatologist prescribe hydroquinone to vanquish dark spots, discontinue use if you experience:
- irritation
- unusual skin darkening
- other adverse effects
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid serves as another popular remedy for hyperpigmentation. Though 2013 research determined 0.75 percent kojic acid cream less effective and slower acting than 4 percent hydroquinone at annihilating hyperpigmentation[9], it still does the job.
Worth noting, kojic acid is often more irritating to the skin than hydroquinone. Regarding safety concerns, there's some limited evidence it promotes tumors and is a weak carcinogen in large amounts[10]. Researchers still affirm it's safe for cosmetic use in concentrations up to 1 percent.
Other side effects may include:
- allergies
- contact dermatitis
Retinoids
Retinoids are offshoots of vitamin A that encourage cell turnover and hasten exfoliation. Results might not be immediately apparent, but over time retinoids can help fade dark spots. A 2019 review also linked retinoids to improvements in photoaging[11], which often includes dark spots induced by sun exposure—aka "age spots."
Don't forget that retinoids can be parching and make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight. Layer on the SPF to shield your skin from further damage.
Potential side effects include:
- redness
- burning
- inflammation
- peeling
These symptoms usually disappear as your skin adjusts to the retinoid, but if they persist, consult a doc.
Chemical exfoliants
Chemical exfoliants rely on gentle acids to disintegrate dead skin cells and can effectively tackle hyperpigmentation. These exfoliants encompass:
- azelaic acid
- glycolic acid
- lactic acid
- mandelic acid
- salicylic acid
These can be purchased over the counter, but a trip to a dermatologist will net you stronger options.
If embarking on the DIY route, it's smart to conduct a patch test first. Additionally, it's essential to lather on the sunscreen to safeguard your delicate mug during use.
Chemical peels
Medical-grade chemical peels are office procedures that employ stronger chemical exfoliants to penetrate deep skin layers but also come with longer recovery periods. Your mug might take around 2 to 3 weeks to heal from a deep chemical peel.
Remember that chemical peels might provoke skin irritation. Office treatments may also elicit:
- redness
- temporary skin darkening
- scarring (rare)
Laser therapy
Zap! Intense methods to lighten dark spots involve visiting a dermatologist for laser treatment. This technique uses concentrated light energy to fragment pigmentation or remove skin layer by layer.
There are countless laser treatments that are effective in lightening dark spots and perform faster than topicals. That being said, there are risks, including:
- swelling
- redness
- burns
- scarring
- infection
- alterations in skin texture
The lasers may sting or burn—how intense it feels depends on your pain threshold, as well as your unique treatment requirements.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is another treatment that sloughs off dead skin cells, but this time, it employs physical exfoliation. When you trot off to an aesthetician for this procedure, they'll utilize a handheld device adorned with an abrasive surface to essentially sand off the uppermost layer of skin.
A 2021 review concluded that microdermabrasion can help decrease the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles, pores, and boost skin appearance[12].
Keep in mind that microdermabrasion might require anywhere from 5 to 16 treatments to yield results, but the recovery is minimal. Your skin will be extra sensitive to the sun, so stock up on the SPF.
Potential side effects also include:
- skin redness
- skin swelling or bruising
- tingling/burning sensation
These signs should disappear on their own within a few days.
Can you vanquish dark spots with home remedies?
There may be home remedies that might help banish dark spots. But truthfully, the limited evidence points to modest rather than astonishing results. On the bright side, since these methods are generally inexpensive and unlikely to cause negative side effects, they may be worth a go.
Dip into your local drugstore (or your kitchen cupboard) for these at-home remedies:
- Mulberry extract. A 2018 research review concluded that 75 percent mulberry extract resulted in "significant" hyperpigmentation improvements compared to the placebo[13].
- Licorice extract. The same 2018 research review identified that products containing glabridin, the key ingredient in licorice extract, were effective in brightening skin[14].
- Aloe vera gel. Since aloe vera helps stimulate collagen production, it may aid in improving skin turnover and decreasing the appearance of dark spots. Ancient 2002 research also suggested it inhibits hyperpigmentation caused by UV radiation[15].
- Tea. There's some research that 2 percent green tea extract in a cream is effective at treating dark spots. A 2015 study suggests that fermented black tea, green tea, or white tea may be particularly effective[16].
- Turmeric. Based on a 2018 review, turmeric extract improved facial hyperpigmentation by 14 percent after 4 weeks of topical application in one study[17].
- Soy. The same 2018 review also produced decent results for soy, too. In a study, participants who applied soy extract to dark spots daily for 3 months experienced a 12 percent reduction in hyperpigmentation[18].
Since it's possible to experience an allergic reaction to any substance, it's wise to execute a patch test before trying any of these.
Dark spot treatments you should dodge
While we've outlined potential risks for other treatments, there are some elements we know are detrimental to your skin, like bleach. The AAD strongly advises against using liquid bleach on your skin because it can cause severe burns.
Some skin-lightening products might also conceal unlisted ingredients like steroids, which should only be utilized under medical guidance.
Many skin lighteners (especially those containing hydroquinone) contain mercury, which is highly toxic. Mercury may be lurking on an ingredient list under:
- mercuric
- quicksilver
- calomel
- cinnabaris
- hydrargyri oxydum rubrum
Research credible companies and online shops when shopping. When in doubt, consult a derm for support.
Keep in mind that even with safe products, you must use them as directed and discontinue use if any odd side effects occur.
So, can you prevent dark spots on your face?
Evading hyperpigmentation from hormonal sources might be unachievable, but you can protect your skin from some forms of hyperpigmentation by avoiding sun damage.
The best things you can do to shield your mug from dark spots include:
- wearing SPF regularly
- donning protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses in the sun 😎
- avoiding sun exposure during peak hours
- refraining from picking at pimples (to lessen the risk of scarring)
Takeaway
Though dark spots often fade on their own over time, many treatments can speed up the process. Given that popular skin lightening agents like hydroquinone are potentially highly toxic and banned in numerous countries, it's prudent to square away a discussion with a dermatologist regarding the most suitable and safe option for you.
Other treatments like retinoids, microdermabrasion, and chemical exfoliants are known to be generally risk-free and effective.
- Hyperpigmentation is the common cause of dark spots, which occurs when the skin produces an excess of melanin in concentrated areas.
- Hydroquinone, a popular topical dark spot lightener, is linked to potential safety risks, including possible links to cancer, and is recommended for temporary use in targeted areas, if at all.
- Kojic acid, another popular remedy for hyperpigmentation, may have some limited evidence of promoting tumors and being a weak carcinogen in large amounts, but is considered safe in cosmetic use up to 1 percent.
- Retinoids can encourage cell turnover and hasten exfoliation, helping fade dark spots over time, but they can be drying and make the skin sensitive to sunlight.
- Chemical exfoliants like azelaic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and salicylic acid can effectively tackle hyperpigmentation, and can be purchased over the counter or from a dermatologist for stronger options, with the need for sunscreen and patch tests recommended.
