A flawless skin is a dream which seems distant when you notice dark spots on your body especially your face and arms. Presence of multiple dark spots on one or all the parts of your body is known as pigmentation or hyperpigmentation. It can happen to anyone regardless of the gender, age, and sex.
The most common cause of pigmentation is prolonged exposure to sunlight. However, there are various other causes which can cause pigmentation in your body such as hormonal changes, pregnancy, antibiotics (tetracyclines), hair removal, allergy, contraceptive pills, genetic defects, vitamin deficiency (vitamin B12 and folic acid), dermatitis, chemical or physical injury, etc.
A)Lemon:
Both lemon and honey contain antioxidant, exfoliating, anti-melanogenesis (preventing melanin formation) and anti-inflammatory properties. They help to get rid of pigmentation, reduce inflammation, and make your skin healthy, bright, and glowing
Take one teaspoon each of honey and lemon juice, mix them well, and dab a cotton with it. After this, use gentle hands to massage the affected area with this cotton using circular motions and leave it to stay there for 15-20 minutes. Do this two times a day for a period of 3-4 weeks. Use this on a daily basis because its ingredients are natural.
B)Cucumber:
Cucumber has antioxidant properties owing to the presence of vitamin A and C, and carotenes. Zeaxanthin and lutein present in cucumber help in shrinking the skin pores, lightening the skin and removing dead skin cells.
Take fresh cucumber juice and apply it on the affected skin. Leave it on for half an hour, wash and pat dry the skin. Do it once daily till changes in the affected skin are tangible.
C)Tomato:
Tomatoes are known for their antioxidant properties owing to the presence of lycopene. Lycopene helps in reducing the pigmentation on your skin which happens due to damage by sunlight.
You can either blend tomatoes or take tomato puree and mix it with a few drops of olive oil. Apply this paste on the pigmented skin. Leave it for 15-20 minutes and wash it off with slightly warm water. You will start seeing changes in 2-3 weeks.
D)Avocado:
Avocados are rich in vitamin C, E and oleic acid which are effective in protecting the skin against UV rays and reducing skin pigmentation.
Grate a slice of avocado and make a smooth paste and apply it on the dark spots twice daily for a month. You may also add some honey and milk to the paste and leave it on the skin till it dries. Rinse it with lukewarm water. Do it once daily for a month.
E)Papaya:
Raw papaya has exfoliating and antioxidant properties which help in removing the dead skin cells, preventing skin damage. Hence, it helps in reducing the pigmentation on your skin.
Take three-inch slice of papaya and add half a teaspoon of honey, a pinch of turmeric, a few drops of lemon juice and milk to it. Blend them to make a paste and apply it twice daily on the pigmented area. Let the paste stay on the skin for 20 minutes and finally, rinse it with lukewarm water. Do this for at least a month.
F)Banana:
Banana is a very good natural exfoliator and antioxidant. It helps in removing dead skin cells. Thus it also helps in gently removing pigmented cells.
Take half banana (unripe), one teaspoon of honey, and one teaspoon milk to make a creamy paste for your skin. Blend or mash them together so that it stays free of lumps. Apply an even layer of this paste on the affected skin area, keep it for 30 minutes. Use this mask for a month to see the results. Gently wash it with lukewarm water and pat dry your skin.
G)Strawberries:
Strawberry contains flavonoids which effectively inhibit synthesis of melanin. Hence, they make strawberry an alternative method to treat skin pigmentation.
Take 2-3 fresh strawberries and mash them well to make a paste. To this, add half a teaspoon of honey and mix well. Apply this paste on the affected skin area. Gently massage the skin using circular motions for about 2-3 minutes. After this, let it set on your skin for 15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. Following this, wash your face with cold water to close the skin pores. Use this method for at least a month to see the results.