Are you concerned about unsightly dark spots or scars?
Lately, I have noticed that the simplest cut or scrape turns into a darkened scar that is
difficult to fade.
At first I tried using cocoa butter to lighten these spots, but that did not work.
Then I scoured the shelves of my local natural foods store and neighborhood drug store.
I found a couple of pretty expensive scar fading products with seemingly safe ingredients.
I applied these promising ointments consistently for weeks but I did not see much improvement.
I was so exasperated!
Years ago, a scratch would heal and disappear within a few weeks.
Not anymore.
As we get older our skin changes and we may find that we have discolorations from scars and
even age spots.
While we may feel young and alive, our skin starts to show our years.
What causes age spots?
Most dark spots on the skin are actually caused by exposure to the sun.
That’s why they show up in areas like your hands, face, and chest.
These are the areas that have been most vulnerable to the sun throughout your life.
If you’re just starting to see these spots, one of the most important things you can do is
make using a safe, effective sunscreen a regular habit.
This won’t actually remove the spots you have, but it can keep new spots from developing.
Just remember to add sunscreen to your daily routine.
If you’re tired of annoying #skin discolorations, there are many #natural home #remedies that can help fade #darkspots naturally over time.Click To Tweet
6 Ways to Fade Dark Spots Naturally
If you’re tired of annoying skin discolorations, you’ll want to try these tips to help lighten
dark spots naturally using products you probably have on hand.
There are many natural home remedies that can help fade dark spots naturally over time.
Here are a few to whip up in your kitchen!
#1. DIY Lemon Juice Treatment
I start my day with lemon juice in a glass of warm water and save the peels to make home
cleaning products so I am very familiar with lemon as a handy natural aid.
Lemon juice is an acid that can help to peel away layers of the skin that are covered in spots.
You simply need to apply the lemon juice to your skin and let it dry for about a half hour
before washing it away.
Repeat this remedy twice daily for about two months to notice positive results.
If you have sensitive skin, dilute the lemon juice with water, rosewater or honey.
Another option is to mix enough sugar in lemon juice to make a paste and use it as a scrub on
your face, especially on your brown spots.
Simply leave it on your face for 30 minutes, then rinse it off.
Apply this lemon treatment a few times a week.
Lemon treatment may lighten your skin, but it can also make your skin more sensitive to the
sun, therefore make sure to follow up with a mild natural sunscreen.
#2. Castor Oil Treatment
I always keep castoroil on hand for natural hair care.
Now I am going to try it to fade my dark spots.
Castor oil has strong healing properties and can be used effectively to fade brown spots
or age spots.
Use a cotton ball to apply castor oil on the affected area.
Gently massage the area for a few minutes.
Leave it on for a few hours and then wash it off.
Repeat this procedure once in the morning and once at night to help the brown spots fade
and make your skin tone even.
In addition to castor oil, some use vitamin E oil, coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil to
fade brown spots.
#3. Aloe Vera Treatment
Aloe vera is known for it’s healing and skin regeneration properties.
For this reason, it is excellent for getting rid of brown spots, especially when caused by
exposure to the sun.
Gently rub fresh aloe vera gel on the spots.
Leave the aloe vera gel on for 30 minutes before washing the area with cold water.
Repeat twice daily and within a month you should notice improvement.
If fresh aloe vera gel is not available, you can use aloe vera juice instead.
#4. Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment
Apple cider vinegar is the number go-to remedy in our home.
Apple cider vinegar has been used successfully as a natural remedy for a number of skin problems
including brown spots.
It helps to dry out and fade the dark spots.
Dilute apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water.
You can also add a bit of honey.
Apply this solution on your brown spots and wash it off after a few minutes.
Repeat this once daily for a few days or until you get positive results.
Straight apple cider vinegar may sting so you can mix one-half teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
in a few tablespoons of orange juice.
Then, apply it on the affected area and leave it on until it dries completely before washing it off.
Repeat once or twice daily for about four to five weeks.
#5. Sandalwood Powder Treatment
Sandalwood is an anti-aging agent and antiseptic that can helps reduce hyper-pigmentation
and lighten brown spots.
You can whip up a homemade fade pack by mixing two tablespoons of sandalwood
powder, two teaspoons of rose water, and one teaspoon each of glycerin and lemon juice.
Apply this pack on the dark spots and let it dry naturally.
Wash off with cold water.
Repeat this process a few times a week until your brown spots disappear.
An alternative is to mix one tablespoon of orange juice plus one teaspoon of lemon juice
and the contents of two vitamin E capsules with two tablespoons of sandalwood powder.
Blend these ingredients well and apply the pack to areas of concern.
#6. DIY Honey and Yogurt Treatment
Another popular home remedy is a mixture of yogurt and honey.
Combined, these two produce a bleaching agent that can help fade away spots.
You’ll want to mix one part of each and dab the mixture on your spots.
Leave this mixture on the affected area for a half hour.
Other Options…
If you’re not getting results from home remedies or you’re ready for medical intervention,
you may want to consult with a holistic or regular dermatologist.
Dermatologists can offer procedures such as dermabrasion and peels that will help to
remove the surface layer of your skin.
While these treatments can be effective, they’re also quite expensive.
One of the most expensive options a dermatologist may provide is laser treatment which
may work to remove dark spots.
However, if you’re like most people expensive therapies are just not in your budget.
I prefer to use natural treatments on my skin, so I am currently using these treatments
to fade a few darkened scars on my legs and arms.
Try these home remedies for yourself–but remember consistency is key.
It may take some time for these spots to fade.
So, what about you?
Have you tried natural treatments to fade dark spots or scars?
Which methods worked best for you?
Share your experiences, thoughts and comments with us.
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Thanks for a great post. I have some dark spots on my face that i would love to lighten. It is helpful that you explained how to use each remedy. Do you just do one or multiple remedies?
Hi Judee,
I have a few dark spots that I am trying to lighten. I have been trying out lemon in the early part of the day a couple of times and then later using castoroil overnight night. I have heard that apple cider vinegar can even fade dark molds.
Two weekends ago my mother-in-law was visiting and we began discussing this very topic. Her sister recommended she purchase argan oil; I told her to save her money. I recommended that she try using lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar, and a raw honey-organic plain yogurt combination to treat any age spots she was concerned about. I also turned her on to jojoba oil – she loved it.
All of those treatments have been proven to be quite effective. I don’t have any age spot concerns (yet), but I use many of those natural ingredients on a daily basis. I absolutely love adding sandalwood essential oil into the homemade beauty products I make; it’s not only effective, but smells exotic too! 😉
I use lemon juice and brown sugar mixed together as an exfoliant on damp skin once a week or so, and at night I rub a little bit of castor oil around my eyes and sometimes mix it in with my grapeseed oil moisturizer. Castor oil is totally amazing as a wrinkle reducer, too, and it makes my skin really nice and soft 🙂
Lemon juice is one of the most effective remedies for dark spots. It contains vitamin C, an antioxidant which has shown to lighten hyperpigmentation. If I am right, it interrupts one of the pathways in the production of melanin by taming the hyperactive melanocytes, the cells are responsible for producing melanin.
Wow… Great info. Looks promising! I’ll be pinning this to my Healthy Aging board, and my Natural Skin and Body Care board. Thanks, as always, Deb!
You know the more I read about the beneficial uses for my castor oil, the more I LOVE IT!!!! I am using it now under my eyes to brighten up my racoon effect as well as gettign more rest.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Teresa,
Yes, I just bought a new bottle of Jamaican Black Castoroil to use instead of the brand I was buying from my health food store. I use it on my hair a lot as well as my skin. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.
Great tips Deborah! I’ve noticed scars being a little more persistent too. But I’ve especially noticed dark circles under my eyes no matter how much sleep I get and how much water I drink. I’m hoping one of these remedies helps lighten them up a bit =)
Hi Kimmy,
I have read that cucumber slices or wet tea bags can be placed under the eyes to help with dark circles. Be careful not to put anything too harsh right under your eyes since the skin is thinner there and lemon or vinegar may cause your eyes to tear. Just a thought. I have to do some more research on dark circles. Good idea! All the best, Deb
Thank you for sharing this! Pinned. Lou Lou Girls
I haven’t tried apple cider vinegar on dark spots yet, but I heard they’re giving good results like other remedies do. I also have posted about remedies for dark spots / acne marks, but apple cider vinegar is not on my list, hehe.. I’ll give it a try one of these days! Thanks for this, Deb!
Lemon is no doubt one of the most effective, but it’s not for me. I can’t stand the stinging it gives me after giving it a try for thrice or fourth times, I just stopped using it.I believe those who have sensitive skin must use it with caution. And those who are allergic to lemon must not use it. Glad it works on you, Deb.. I hope my skin will be friends with lemon one day hehe..
I’ve been loyal to castor oil for long time, yeah it does help in fading away those annoying dark spots and not leading my skin to breakout. I love it because it also moisturized my skin, and keeping those wrinkles away haha
Honey is also great. I have tried it, been using it 30minutes before going to shower and it works well not only on fading away those dark spots but also helping my skin to combat acne.
Btw, I found your blog on A Peek To My Paradise. Take care! 🙂
Nice blog ,
Thanks for sharing this and if you want to remove your darkspots from your face so use the True derma serum . True Derma Serum is great for people who want an easy and simple way to make sure that their skin is kept looking young and beautiful.
http://healthoffers24.com/true-derma-serum/
I am currently using lemon to lighten my dark acne marks too early to tell if this is working.
Is it working now tho?
As a 52 year old woman, I have tried many products for aging, blemishes and dark circles under my eyes. Within 3 days of applying Dermalmd anti aging serum I noticed the pores and blackheads on my nose were completely gone. My under eye circles were improved dramatically. This is a thin liquid so a little goes a very long way. I apply it to my cleaned face at night; it’s best to let it soak in and dry completely before applying your moisturizer. I am so impressed with dermalmd serum that 6 of my friends/co-workers have purchased in which all of them have had the same results.