Though it might not be medically possible to drastically change one’s skin tone, you can restore its earlier color by following certain battle-tested routines.
These tips are particularly useful for those with uneven skin tone or dull skin caused due to repeated sun exposure or benign skin conditions like dark spots, pigmentations, acne scars, or freckles.
In this post, we are going to dive deep into 7 tips that dermatologists and experts recommend to lighten your skin tone and remove pigmentation from face permanently.
How to remove pigmentation from the face?
#1 Use Preventive Suncare
A vast majority of skin issues like melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and age spots are triggered by UV exposure. Exposure to UV rays results in increased melanin production, which, in turn, makes your skin darker.
So the easiest thing to do is avoid exposure to direct sun. Protect your skin from UV radiation by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30). Make sure to use sunscreen even if you stay indoors, as UV rays can penetrate through your windows. In addition, you should talk to a dermatologist in sun city west to get the best advice related to your skin. These dermatologists also provide cosmetic services, such as acne, wrinkles, warts, and excessive sweating.
Pro Tip: Along with sunscreen, use a hat and pair of sunglasses while venturing outside to protect your skin even further.
#2 Safeguard your skin from environmental pollutants
Did you know – apart from causing respiratory issues, environmental pollutants can negatively impact your skin? You might have noticed the sudden surge in anti-pollution skincare products in your local drug stores and supermarket in recent years. This is mainly attributed to the rampant rise in air pollution worldwide.
These pollutants activate free radicals in your body, which causes premature skin aging and enhanced melanin production. Why increase in melanin, you may ask? Melanin acts as a defense against pollutants to protect your skin.
To protect your skin from pollutants, make sure to wash your face at least twice a day and exfoliate once a week.
#3 Consume antioxidant-rich food
As you have seen in the previous point, a key cause of dull skin is free radicals. Consuming more antioxidant-rich foods will counter their effects. Here’s how that happens – antioxidants will donate an electron to the free radicals and neutralize them, thus eliminating their harmful effects.
Antioxidants are naturally synthesized in our bodies. But we can also get their benefits by consuming various vegetables and fruits, particularly the ones rich in beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C.
There are also oral supplements that you can take. But make sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking them.
#4 Exfoliate your skin
Skin cells continuously regenerate, resulting in a huge deposit of dead skin cells. If you don’t remove these dead skin cells from the top of your skin, your skin will start looking look dull. The easiest way to remove these cells is by exfoliating your skin once a week.
You can use either physical or chemical exfoliating agents based on your needs. For instance, physical exfoliating agents largely target the top layer of your skin. This is ideal for getting rid of superficial discoloration issues. Its chemical counterparts are more suited for stronger discoloration issues.
#5 Steam your face
Face steaming comes with numerous benefits. For starters, it helps by opening up all the pores in your face. Secondly, it eliminates the dirt stuck inside these pores. It even promotes blood circulation.
While preparing your steam, try adding some lemon peels to the boiled water. Vitamin C present in the lemon is a great skin-lightening agent that will help lighten your skin color. Use a blanket or a towel to cover your face while steaming so that the hot air doesn’t escape. Steam your face for 5 minutes, and then pat your face dry with a clean towel.
#6 Use an aloe vera mask
Aloe vera is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare. It comes with an array of benefits, such as supporting the production of collagen, speeding up wound healing time, and limiting scarring, to name a few. It is also a great product for lightening your skin tone, especially when used as a face mask.
To prepare an aloe vera mask, mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with ½ tablespoon of turmeric. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to it. Apply the mixture to your face, hands, and neck. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes before wiping it off using a cotton pad soaked in cold milk.
#7 Skincare treatments
If none of the above remedies work, it’s time to visit a dermatologist. Healthcare has evolved so much in recent years that there is a cure for everything. This is particularly applicable in the field of dermatology. There are hundreds of skincare treatments available today that can cure a variety of skincare problems.
Many skin lightening treatments are growing in popularity owing to their affordability, accessibility, and efficiency. Some of the popular ones include Glutathione injections, Chemical peels, Laser treatment, Vampire facials, and Microdermabrasion. Most of these treatments work by penetrating deep into the skin, removing dead skin cells or the outermost layer completely to give you a lighter skin tone.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have seen some simple ways to lighten our skin. But remember – skin lightening is not a one-time process. Constant care is crucial to maintaining healthy-looking and lighter skin. So go ahead and test out the above methods to lighten and rejuvenate your skin to its former glory.