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Dark Spots On Your Face? How To Get Rid Of Them

Dr. Amy Yuan
| February 21, 2019
Fact-checked by:
Marisa Garshick MD
, Board Certified Dermatologist
Dark Spots On Your Face? How To Get Rid Of Them

We all want an even complexion—but if you’re one of the millions of people who struggle with dark spots on your face, an even complexion might seem to be out of your grasp.

But we have good news for you! Just because you have dark spots on your face doesn’t mean you’re destined to deal with them forever. There are ways to lighten dark spots and get the even complexion you crave.

But how, exactly, do you do that? Let’s take a look at what dark spots are, where they come from, and—most importantly—how to remove dark spots on your face fast:

What Are Dark Ppots?

Before you can understand how to get rid of dark spots, it’s important to first understand what, exactly, dark spots are.

Dark spots—also known as hyperpigmentation—are caused by an excess of melanin in the skin. When too much melanin (which is the pigment that produces skin color) is deposited in one area of the skin, it causes a darkening of that area—and results in a dark spot.

Where Are Dark Spots On Face Coming From?

If you want to effectively treat dark spots—and get the even complexion you crave—you need to understand where your dark spots are coming from.

There are a number of contributing factors that could be causing your dark spots on face, including:

UV Exposure

Perhaps the most common cause of dark spots is exposure to UV rays (either from the sun or from tanning beds). Exposure to UV light causes an increase in melanin production (which is what gives the skin a “tanned“ appearance)—but over time, that UV exposure can cause an overproduction of melanin in certain areas of the skin, which can lead to dark spots.

While all skin tones can experience dark spots as a result of UV exposure, people with lighter skin tones (who naturally have less pigment in the skin) are more at risk—especially without proper sun protection. If you crave the sun and want to spend some time out in the sun, ensure you use adequate sun protection to reduce the risk of melanin overproduction.

Melasma

Dark spots may also be the result of melasma, a skin condition that causes larger brown or gray-brown patches on the face. Melasma can be the result of hormonal birth control, sun exposure, or pregnancy (when it’s known as chloasma).

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Dark spots can also be caused by injury, which is known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). PIH occurs when melanin production is increased in response to damage to the skin (like acne scarring).

How To Remove Dark Spots On Your Face Fast

Whether the dark spots on your face are a result of sun exposure, hormonal changes, or acne scarring, chances are you want to know how to get rid of those dark spots on your face fast.

Here are some of the best treatments for lightening dark spots and evening out your skin tone:

Make Sun Protection A Non-Negotiable

Have you ever heard the saying "the best offense is a good defense?" Well, that’s definitely true when it comes to getting rid of dark spots.

It doesn’t matter what’s causing your dark spots—exposure to UV rays will make them worse across the board. If you want to get rid of dark spots—and keep new dark spots from forming—it’s important to make sun protection a non-negotiable part of your daily skincare routine.

For maximum protection, don’t leave the house without a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30, and then reapply throughout the day (every two hours is a good rule of thumb).

Exfoliate

When you exfoliate your skin, you’re removing the dead skin cells from the surface—which will also help to remove dark spots and remove the more clear, even-toned skin underneath.

Using ingredients that will exfoliate the skin and stimulate cell turnover, like azelaic acid, will help to get rid of dark spots faster. And because exfoliation removes dead cells from the surface of skin, it also will help to make the rest of the products in your skincare regimen more effective.

Look For Brightening And Lightening Ingredients

If you want to even out your complexion, you need to use products with ingredients that are going to both brighten the skin and lighten dark spots. For brightening, look for products with Vitamin C. For lightening, ingredients like licorice and arbutin are extremely effective.

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