The summer months left us feeling warm, cozy, toasty, and maybe a little tanned. Because of the high sun exposure, there are chances that you have observed some darker patches appear on your skin. These look like dirt patches or general discoloration, but they are pigmentation. Pigmentation refers to the coloring of the skin on the face, neck, elbows, and other areas.
What is pigmentation?
Pigmentation is usually caused by high sun exposure that triggers the production of melanin in the skin. This pigment in the skin causes a visible change in skin color, and that is what we refer to as hyperpigmentation. These patches are harmless and do not cause any sort of pain, itchiness, or irritation to the skin itself but can make the skin surface look uneven and patchy.
What causes pigmentation?
Melanin is a substance in the human body that gives rise to the pigment in hair, eyes, and skin. The higher the concentration of melanin in the body, the darker the pigment will be. More specifically, the color comes from the pigment cells or the melanocytes that produce melanin. When exposed to the sun in excess, these melanocytes get deposited in excess on the epidermis, thus changing color.
There are also many genetic and clinical conditions like insulin resistance, PCOS [Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome], melasma, or even certain chemotherapy drugs. Most of the discoloration caused can be reverted as the medical condition improves but additional efforts to reduce them can certainly aid in speeding up the process.
Now that we have understood what pigmentation is and how it happens, the question of how to remove or get rid of it follows suit. The process of removing or reducing pigmentation is definitely time-consuming, but if done the right way, can be very efficient in terms of results.
How to remove pigmentation?
Here are some homemade recipes you can try using ingredients around you to help reduce pigmentation on your skin:
1. Gram flour pack - Mix together gram flour, turmeric, yogurt, and some rose water in a bowl. Apply generously to the patches and let dry. Rinse off and repeat this once every few days for the best results
2. Apple Cider Vinegar - Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a small bowl and apply this using a reusable cloth pad on the patch and leave for 2-3 minutes. Swipe clean and repeat daily.
3. Aloe Vera - Believe it or not, Aloe Vera can help your skin with pigmentation as well. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel on the patch of skin and let sit overnight. Cover with a damp thin cloth to avoid transfer on sheets. Cleanse with lukewarm water and repeat till you observe results.
4. Milk - Dip a reusable cloth pad in some warm milk and rub it across the patch of skin for 3-4 minutes. Wash off with a preferred cleanser and repeat twice a day.
If you are looking to invest in skincare products that can help you with pigmentation, you can try our Anti-pigmentation Facial Oil formulated with turmeric and Benzoin. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help even and brighten skin tone. Additionally, it can also help fight against sun damage. Another ingredient in the product is Cypress which helps stimulate
blood circulation and contains astringent properties that help tone the skin.
The oil can be used for any part of the body, but if you are looking to target the face and neck specifically, you should consider trying our Anti-Pigmentation Face pack along with the oil. It helps reduce dark spots, blemishes, and pigmentation by brightening and evening skin tone. This face pack contains ingredients like White turmeric, mango ginger, and cypress, which all are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties that help clear your skin.
To use them together, mix a few tablespoons of the face pack with 7-8 drops of the facial oil. Along with this, add water to bring it to a paste-like consistency. Apply generously all over the face and neck and leave to dry for 15-20 minutes. Dampen the face before rinsing off and apply a light moisturizer to hydrate the skin after.
Pigmentation is an issue that most people deal with, and we now know of many ways to help reduce its appearance. Remember! You are beautiful with or without any blemishes on you. Don’t let any of it dampen your glow :)
