How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on Legs – Hyperpigmentation discusses spots or patches that seem darker than the surrounding skin. They can grow anywhere on the body but are most frequently found on the face, arms, hands, and legs.
For dark spots on the legs, there are numerous over-the-counter (OTC) products as well as professional treatments that can effectively reduce their appearance.
How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on Legs?
In some cases, home remedies can also provide certain benefits.
What Causes Dark Spots on the Legs?
Dark spots are a consequence of excess melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and defends deeper layers from the damaging effects of the sun. Melanocytes are the cells that grow melanin.
When an extra of melanin forms in one area, the consequence is a dark patch or spot. Hormonal changes, skin injury and inflammation, and sun damage can all arouse melanocyte activity.
Moreover, there is a correlation between skin tone and the likelihood of emerging hyperpigmentation; darker skin tones have a stronger response to UV radiation which results in a superior risk.
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Sun exposure
Sun exposure is one of the most common and famous factors for causing dark spots which are often referred to as age spots – because they grow after numerous years of exposure. The production of melanin is triggered by sunlight as a protective measure.
Higher concentrations of melanin protect the skin from the sun by gripping and neutralizing harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Melanin also performs as an antioxidant to protect the skin against damage from free radicals.
Dark spots can grow on the legs if they are frequently exposed to the sun. As a preventative measure, apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or above before going outdoors and cover your legs whenever possible.
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Cuts, scrapes, and shaving
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) mentions dark patches that result from inflammation. While the precise cause is unknown, there is a recognized link between the body’s healing, inflammatory response, and the production of melanin.
This inflammation is frequently caused by acne, but it can also be brought on by injuries to the skin when the body responds by flooding the injured area with white blood cells. The legs, in particular, are prone to cuts and scrapes, as well as irritation caused by burns.
If you wish to protect yourself from cuts and scrapes, reflect wearing clothing that protects your legs from injury.
To avoid razor burn, frequently replace your razor blade and shave with the grain. It is also significant to ensure your skin is clean before shaving, now to avoid spreading any bacteria into open pores and producing irritation or infection.
How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on Legs?
There are so many treatments for dark patches which can be operative in removing or reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dependent on cause and severity.
These contain OTC or prescription creams, and professional treatments performed by dermatologists.
In cases where hyperpigmentation is very minor, you can achieve actual results with at-home treatments.
For the effective disappearance or removal of dark spots, the selected treatment must address the underlying cause of hyperpigmentation.
What are the professional Treatments for Dark Spots on your Legs?
More strong versions of OTC creams are accessible in addition to laser treatments, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
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Prescription hydroquinone
Now, to treat more severe cases of hyperpigmentation, prescription hydroquinone creams are accessible at higher concentrations.
Unlike sensitive areas such as the face, legs are naturally less so, and more likely to respond well with fewer side effects such as irritation.
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Tretinoin creams
Tretinoin is a copy of retinol, but more potent, and is accessible in prescription strength. Along with improving signs of aging, it can lessen dark spots. Studies propose that similar to retinol, it works by inhibiting the development of melanin in the skin.
Because it is a more solid product than retinol, tretinoin can cause more side effects. These comprise a lightening of the skin not confined to dark spots, as well as dryness, redness, and itching – which might worsen dark spots.
Though, with moderate use side effects are minimal. Tretinoin cream should be practiced once a day before bed, 20–30 minutes after washing your skin. Avoid applying it to cuts or sensitive areas.
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Laser treatments
Laser skin resurfacing breaks up the pigment in the skin, permitting new, evenly pigmented cells to form. Ablative lasers use strong beams of light to remove the outer layers of skin, efficiently removing hyperpigmented spots.
Nonablative lasers do not eliminate outer layers of skin but instead heat the skin to promote collagen production, which rises cell turnover and evens out skin tone.
Laser treatment for hyperpigmentation is similar in efficiency to topical creams, but they must be tailored to skin type.
For example, nonablative lasers, such as pulsed-dye and YAG lasers, are more possible than ablative lasers to cause further hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones; fractional lasers are suggested instead.
What are the At-Home Remedies for treating dark spots?
Studies supportive of home remedies for treating dark spots are limited, and these choices do not offer the same quality results as OTC, prescription, or professional treatments.
Though, there is anecdotal evidence to recommend that sure topical home remedies such as aloe vera gel and vitamin C have some positive effects.
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Aloe Vera and Vitamin C
Aloe vera and vitamin C work in a similar way to lighten skin; they can inhibit the production of melanin by dropping the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to make melanin.
A suitable way to use aloe vera on your legs is to purchase an aloe vera gel and apply it once or twice per day to dark patches. While vitamin C is an unbalanced ingredient to work with, it has been shown to work fine in a serum.
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Green Tea, Turmeric, and Soy Extracts
There is some indication that green tea, turmeric, and soy extracts can lighten the skin. Research proves that green tea can efficiently treat dark spots. While this might be due to its antioxidant properties, science has not recognized this.
Turmeric is another active ingredient demonstrated to lessen the appearance of dark spots. Turmeric can also help with razor burn by soothing inflammation, making it particularly useful for skin irritated by shaving.
Lastly, soy can inhibit melanin from production. It efficiently improves mottled pigmentation, blotchiness, and general skin tone, making it a good dark spot treatment and preventative measure for dark spots.
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Conclusion:
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