How To Clear Dark Spots On Your Face Naturally?

Are you fed up using concealers to cover up the dark spots on your face every time you go out? Do these spots seem difficult to fade away? Then, it is high time that you delve into its root cause.

“Usually, dark spots show up when the melanocytes [1] on your skin function abnormally by producing more melanin than usual at certain regions of your face. You can treat them by practicing healthy skincare habits and using home remedies,” says Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.

Scroll down to know why your skin develops dark spots and how you can manage them using natural remedies.

What Are Dark Spots On The Face?

The melanin pigment present in your skin is meant to protect it from the harmful ultraviolet radiation. Sometimes, factors such as chronic sun exposure, hormonal imbalance or irritations caused by certain medications or products, etc. may trigger the melanocytes (cells that produce melanin pigment) to synthesize melanin in excessive quantities, which reflects as dark spots at certain regions on your face.

“Generally, dark spots on the face are often referred to as ‘melasma' [2], which is a type of hyperpigmentation that commonly develops on your cheeks. Dark circles, freckles, age spots, etc. are some of the other types of skin pigmentation or hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Zeel.

How To Characterize Dark Spots On The Face ?

Dark spots on the face are the same as the texture of the skin, however, they can either be light brown or dark brown in appearance and vary in size. Such spots are usually painless.

What Causes Dark Spots On The Face?

The ancient Ayurvedic script, ‘Yoga Ratnakar’ mentioned conditions called ‘Vyanga’ and ‘Neelika’, which correlates dark spots on your face. As per the Ayurvedic texts, these dark spots occur when the Vata, Pitta, or both the doshas are in the vitiated state.

“The condition is termed as ‘Vyanga’, when dark spots form as a result of your dosha imbalance caused by physical exhaustion, imbalanced diets, uncontrolled emotions, etc. When these dark spots become extremely black, then it is called ‘Neelika’,” says Dr. Zeel.

Some of the predominant reasons that result in dark spots on your face by causing an imbalance in your Ayurvedic doshas are as follows:

1. Sun Exposure

Excessive sun exposure causes an increase in Vata and Pitta dosha in your body. Your skin becomes overly sensitive and burns out, resulting in dark spots.

2. Hormonal Changes

Imbalanced Pitta may lead to an imbalance in different hormonal production in your body. Especially in women, melasma is very common post-pregnancy due to hormonal imbalance.

3. Inflammation

Raised Pitta is the underlying cause of skin inflammation which eventually may result in dark spots. Sometimes, scars from injuries, acne, or even eczema can turn into dark spots on your face.

4. Skin Irritation Due To Incompatible Products

Some chemicals in certain products such as ammonia-based hair products, perfumes, etc. can cause skin irritation that ends up forming dark spots on your skin.

5. Side Effects Of Certain Medication

Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) can cause specific side effects like skin pigmentation and dark spots on your face.

Symptoms Of Dark Spots On Face

You may notice brown or black colored spots in the following areas on your face when you have melasma:

• Forehead
• Bridge Of The Nose
• Cheeks
• Chin

Usually, these spots are superficial and harmless. However, they can be associated with burning sensation and itching in cases of damage occurring in deeper skin tissues.

How To Remove Dark Spots On The Face?

A. Ayurvedic Medicine

Treating any problem with Ayurveda begins with pacifying and balancing the elevated doshas through topical application or oral consumption of herbal formulations.

Below are some of the Ayurvedic treatments that are commonly used to treat dark spots on your face:

1. Oral Medications

A. For Dark Spots Caused By Hormonal Imbalance

• Kumaryasava
• Chandanasava
• Maha Manjishtadi kashayam
• Chandraprabha vati

B. For Dark Spots Caused By Sun Exposure

• Kamadudha rasa
• Godanti bhasma
• Pravala bhasma
• Patoladi kashayam

C. For Blood Detoxification

• Sarivadyasava
• Mahatiktam kashayam
• Lodhrasava
• Kaishore guggulu
• Khadirarishta
• Gandhaka Rasayana

Your Ayurvedic doctor will prescribe the right oral medication based on your underlying root cause for dark spots and elevated dosha levels.

2. Topical Treatments

• Nalpamaradi Thailam

Nalpamaradi thailam is made of turmeric, sesame oil, vetiver roots, amla, and Indian madder. It is a very efficient herbal remedy to treat tanning and pigmentation problems.

Massage Nalpamaradi oil on your facial skin gently and leave it for half an hour. Later, clean your face using a mild herbal cleanser.

• Kumkumadi Tailam

Kumkumadi thailam or saffron oil is well known for its abilities to repair pigmentation and brighten your skin complexion.

Clean your face with pure rose water and pat dry using a soft tissue. Now, apply a few drops of kumkumadi oil on your face and give it a gentle massage using your fingertips. Leave it overnight and wash your face properly the next morning.

• Jwalini Oil

Jwalini oil contains certain herbs that are processed in sesame oil and coconut milk. It is best known to treat hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage.

Massage a few drops of jwalini oil on your face until the oil is well-absorbed into your skin. Wash your face with a mild herbal cleanser after half an hour.

• Eladi Oil

Eladi thailam is very useful to improve the skin texture and skin complexion by eliminating the dark spots and patches.

Apply a few drops of oil gently in the affected area on your face and leave it for half an hour. Later, wash it off with plain water. Repeat it twice a day.

• Kanaka Oil

Kanaka Thailam predominantly contains licorice, sesame oil, manjistha, chandana, and nagakesara herbs. It is one of the most frequently used oils to remove face pigmentation and dark scars.

Massage your face with kanaka thailam gently and wash it off using normal water after half an hour. Repeat this at least once a day.

B. Essential Oils For Dark Spots On Face

You can add essential oils made of the following wonder herbs as magic ingredients in your skincare products. They help you deal with dark spots on your face.

1. Rosemary Oil

It has phytonutrients that help reduce hyperpigmentation by fighting the free radical damage on your skin.

2. Turmeric Oil

It has an anti-inflammatory compound called ‘curcumin’[4]. Turmeric oil works well to prevent blemishes, acne, etc. and help to even out your complexion. It also controls dark spots on your face by moderating the melanin production in your skin.

3. Tea Tree Oil

It is the best essential oil to heal dark spots, blemishes or wounds on your face. Thanks to its gentle resurfacing properties.

4. Chamomile Oil

The Azulene compound present in chamomile oil is cell-renewing and soothing to your skin. It is also rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that aid in repairing the damaged skin tissues and heal the dark spots.

5. Geranium Oil

It works great to reduce hyperpigmentation caused by inflammation in your skin. It has natural astringent properties that impart soothing and toning effects on your skin.

6. Frankincense Oil

It strengthens the elasticity of your skin and aids in healthy cell-regeneration in your skin tissues.

7. Lavender Oil

It helps to fight dark spots on your face caused by inflammation and irritation. It contains linalyl acetate that helps your skin repair faster and reduces blemishes.

C. Home Remedies

1. Turmeric

Mix turmeric powder and besan in equal parts. Add fresh curd to the mixture and prepare a fine paste. Apply it to your face and wash it off with lukewarm water after 45 minutes.

2. Buttermilk

Dip a cotton ball in buttermilk and apply it directly to the dark spots on your face. Rinse it off thoroughly after 15-20 minutes.

3. Tomato

Apply tomato puree on your skin and leave it for half an hour. Later, wash it off using lukewarm water.

4. Green Tea Extract

Rub the dark spots on your face with a green tea bag. Make sure the tea bag is soaked in boiled water for a few minutes.

5. Masoor Dal ( Red Lentils)

Soak a small cup of red lentils overnight and make it into a fine paste. Apply it on your face and rinse it off using cold water after half an hour.

D. Fruits For Dark Spots On Face

1. Lemon

Mix lemon juice and water in equal parts and apply it on the dark spots using a cotton ball. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before washing it off using cold water. Avoid applying lemon on your face if it has dry skin, cuts, or bruises. It may cause irritation.

2. Papaya

Clean your face properly and apply the puree of ripening papaya as a mask. Leave it for half an hour. Later, remove the mask and gently massage your face in circular motions to exfoliate the dead skin cells.

3. Orange Peel

Mix orange peel powder and sandalwood powder in equal parts. Prepare a pack by adding sufficient amounts of rose water into the mixture. Apply it to the dark spots on your face and leave it for half an hour. Later, wash it off using cold water.

4. Mango

Prepare a fine paste by mixing 4-5 spoons of mango pulp, 1-2 spoons of honey, and 1-2 spoons of almond oil. Apply it on your face and leave it for half an hour. Later, wash it off using lukewarm water.

Dermatologist Treatment For Dark Spots On Face

Besides natural Ayurvedic treatments, hyperpigmentation can be addressed with the following treatments in dermatology:

1. Chemical Peels

It involves peeling the outer layer of your skin where the dark spots are present using certain acids with a stronger concentration. It should be exercised only on the advice of an experienced dermatologist [5].

2. Intense Pulse Light Therapy

Also known as ‘photo facial’, it is a non-ablative laser treatment that promotes the production of collagen in your skin.

3. Face Acids

In this method, your skin is exfoliated with certain acids such as vitamin C, salicylic acid, etc. This makes the top layer of your skin shed off where new cells replace the old cells, evening out your skin.

4. Laser Peel

It involves treating dark spots with targeted beams of light. Among various types of laser peels, your dermatologist recommends the most suitable form of treatment by assessing your skin condition.

5. Microdermabrasion

It is a clinical procedure used to treat dark spots caused by superficial scars on your face.

Important Note:

These chemicals involved treatments may not be suitable for all skin types and may result in side-effects. Thus, we highly recommend you to consult your dermatologist before going forward with any of the treatments mentioned in this article.

How To Prevent Dark Spots On The Face?

“Keeping your Ayurvedic doshas in harmony is what you need to keep your skin healthy and even prevent any kind of skin concerns such as dark spots,” says Dr. Zeel.

A. Ensure you use a sunscreen that has a minimum SPF of 30 every time you step outside during the day. Make a habit of reapplying it every 2-3 hours.

B. Include nutrient-rich seasonal fruits and vegetables in your diet based on your elevated doshas. Also, eating garlic, onion, eggs, legumes, etc. may help in preventing dark spots on your skin. Always prefer eating lightly cooked food and have it fresh.

C. You can also take nutritional supplements to substitute the deficiencies in your diet. Please seek your doctor’s advice regarding the dosage of vitamin and mineral supplements.

D. Drink adequate water to keep your body well hydrated. Water plays an important role in flushing out toxins from your body.

E. Avoid smoking completely as it has a direct correlation with breakouts that appear on your skin.

F. Avoid stress. Practice meditation and yoga regularly to keep yourself balanced mentally and physically.

Vedix Tip: Ayurveda recommends regular Panchakarma therapies to detox your body and brings your elevated doshas to balance.

How Long Does It Take For Dark Spots To Fade?

The dark spots will usually fade away within 6-12 months after you start addressing them with Ayurvedic treatments. Although chemical treatments can speed up the fading process, they may have side-effects.

The Last Word

Dark spots mostly aren’t a cause of concern, but might turn out to be one because of cosmetic reasons. It is better to consult a doctor when you notice a change in the size and color of the spots as they may indicate skin cancer. Generally speaking, you can rely on natural remedies to manage them. Ayurveda ensures the reduction in your facial dark spots naturally without side effects.

At Vedix, we evaluate your doshas and unique skin concerns, based on which we customize a highly balanced Ayurvedic skincare regimen for you.

Know Your Dosha Now