Most of us have experienced dark spots on our skin that seem impossible to get rid of. But what if you could take steps to lighten and heal these dark spots so that you can feel more confident in your complexion? It’s totally possible with the right skin care routine!
So, read on to learn more about how to get rid of your dark spots for good!
What Are Dark Spots?
Dark spots on the skin are also known as areas of hyperpigmentation. These spots occur when certain areas produce more melanin than usual. Melanin is the pigment that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes.
Not all dark spots look the same. The appearance actually depends on your skin tone and the root cause of the hyperpigmentation. Even though these spots might look concerning, they are usually not painful or harmful to your health. That being said, the root cause of these spots may need to be investigated or addressed by your healthcare provider just to make sure.
What Causes Dark Spots?
Before you begin to treat your dark spots, you need to figure out what’s causing them! There are a variety of different things that could be causing your dark spots.
Here are some of the most common culprits:
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes like pregnancy, birth control, and menopause can lead to a skin condition called melasma that causes dark spots on the skin.
- Sun damage: Perhaps one of the most common causes of dark spots is sun damage. These areas of discoloration may also be called sun spots, age spots, liver spots, or solar lentigines. Over time, if the skin is exposed to too much sun without proper protection, areas of hyperpigmentation will occur in spots that are frequently exposed to the sun, and worsen existing dark spots on the face, hands, and arms. The best way to prevent sun damage is to use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ protection each and every day -- even if it looks like the sun isn’t out, while reapplying every 2 hours.
- Inflammation: The last cause of dark spots is inflammation. Skin inflammation commonly occurs as a result of acne, burns, cuts, insect bites, and other skin injuries. Depending on your skin tone, these scars can appear brown, purple, or red in color.
- Medication side effects: Dark spots on the skin could also be caused by your medication. This is especially true when it comes to medications like tetracyclines, psychotropics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you are experiencing these spots after starting a new medication, address this potential side effect with your doctor.
What’s the Best Skin Care Routine To Treat Dark Spots?
The best way to treat dark spots on your face is a proper skin care routine. Odds are that you already have a skin care routine established, so how can you tweak it to create the best skin care routine to help fade your dark spots?
Here are some tips about steps that you need to incorporate into your skin care routine:
1. The first step to treat dark spots is to cleanse -- especially if your dark spots are caused by acne. A gentle cleanser can help clear your skin and prevent dark spots from occurring in the first place!
If you struggle with blemishes, WOW Skin Science’s Activated Charcoal Foaming Face Wash is perfect for you. This face wash comes with a soft-silicone built-in brush to gently exfoliate your skin and absorb pore-clogging impurities wtih acne-fighting ingredients like activated charcoal, tea tree oil, and aloe vera extract.
2. The second step to treat dark spots is to exfoliate. This step is a tricky one, as you can easily damage your skin if you aren't doing it properly, so let's break it down!
There are two different kinds of exfoliation: chemical and mechanical. Chemical exfoliation uses chemicals like acids to help remove the top layer of dead skin cells that are clogging your pores, revealing the healthy, glowing skin underneath. Mechanical exfoliation on the other hand uses small particles to physically scrub your skin and remove that top layer.
We personally love our Ubtan Face & Body Scrub, as it provides mechanical exfoliation with Ayurvedic botanicals like chickpea flour that gently scrubs away your dead skin cells.
The key to exfoliation is not to overdo it, as making your skin raw and irritated with too much scrubbing will only make your skin worse. Our Ubtan Scrub features hydrating Rose Water and antibacterial + anti-inflammatory turmeric and saffron to soothe, brighten, and tackle the causes of acne!
3. The third step to treat dark spots is a brightening serum. Serums contain high concentration of highly beneficial ingredients that pack a punch, and target only the areas you want!
One of the best serums for fading dark spots and evening out skin tone is the WOW Skin Science’s Vitamin C Serum, featuring 20% potent Vitamin C power to brighten your complexion, witch hazel to even your skin tone, and hyaluronic acid to plump and fight signs of aging. This three-in-one serum is the perfect solution to combat dark spots!
4. Finally, don't forget moisturizer! WOW's Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel is deeply hydrating, toning, and moisturizing. Hydration is key for all skin types -- oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and combination skin alike all need moisture to balance and fortify your skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid skin care products also work wonders for fine lines near the eye area thanks to its antioxidant properties!
Night creams and eye creams with active ingredients specific for anti-aging like retinol and vitamins that promote collagen production also often work to help with dryness and dark spot treatment simultaneously while you sleep!
Other Ways to Treat Dark Spots
Perhaps the best way to treat dark spots is to prevent further darkening and damage from the sun. This means consistent sun protection with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, and reapplying it every 2 hours. However, when it comes to SPF, your dermatologist is sure to tell you that once is not enough! Be sure to reapply if you’re outdoors for long periods of time, are sweating, or are exposed to water.
If you’re looking to get aggressive with your treatment of dark spots, laser treatment is also an option. These lasers are shot into the darkened cells to be absorbed and lightened. While this treatment can be effective, it’s intense, expensive, and can lead to side effects. Overall, we recommend sticking to a beneficial skin care routine to effectively heal your dark spots over time.
Conclusion
As you can see, your skin care routine is key to tackling those stubborn dark spots. WOW Skin Science offers amazing exfoliants, cleansers, and serums to help you create the best routine for all of your skin concerns from brightening to evening to soothing and everything in between!
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