Reasons for Skin Discoloration and Natural Remedies

Skin discoloration is one common problem for people in tropical countries. Hot environmental conditions can cause the skin cells to produce more of the skin pigment called melanin, which contributed to the dark coloration. The melanin pigment protects the body skin from getting affected by the harmful UV rays and so in hot weather, the skin produces more of it.

Reasons for Skin Discoloration

However, other than this need of ecological habitation, there are also other reasons why our skin gets discolored. Here are few of the common reasons that could contribute to the darkened skin.

Genetic Reasons

There are few genetic reasons and inherited factors for skin to control discoloration. The genes acquired from your parents on birth contribute to the color of your skin. However, there are also cases of genetic mutation causing the change in color of the baby from fairer or darker than the parents.

Hyper-pigmentation

This is one common reason behind skin discoloration. The dark skin pigment melanin produces melanocytes in the process of melanogenesis. The quantity of melanin pigment production is trigged by the enzyme, tyrosinase. Often, the excess melanin production leads to darker complexion.

Vitamin & Nutritional Deficiency

There few vitamins essential for providing a healthy, glowing skin. But when there is deficiency of that particular vitamin, it can lead to skin pigmentation. Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, Vitamin B-9, folic acid, Vitamin B-12, or cobalaminis and vitamin D are few of the importance sources that affect skin pigmentation. It is important to keep these vitamins in right proportions to avoid pale complexion and loss of skin pigmentation. Malnutrition can also lead to dark complexion as essential nutrients for the body are left unavailable.

Disorders & Pathological Problems

Internal organ disorders or medical complications can sometimes lead to skin discoloration. For instance, liver disorders, adrenal disorders, intestinal disorders, constipation can lead to darkened complexion.

Hormonal Changes

Sometimes skin darkening can occurs as a result of certain hormonal changes pertaining to age or various reasons. For example, body hormonal changes during puberty, or during pregnancy, and hormone changes in lactating moms can result in skin discoloration. Sometimes, even the use of birth control pills and child-birth medications can result in darkened skintone.

Sun Damage & UV Rays

The UV rays from the sun are often the culprit for skin discoloration. Over-exposure to sun can let the skin get tanned. Though this is a natural mechanism that induces the melanin production, it can cause adverse effects to skin. Moreover, even though UV radiation can assist Vitamin D production in the body, excessive exposure of it can damage health and cause skin problems like discoloration, sunburns, and acne.

Home Remedies for Skin Discoloration

Even though there are various reasons for skin discoloration, there are few natural ways to alleviate its impact on skin. You can opt for cosmetic options like skin care products, or eve laser or surgical therapies. However, those are not always safer to the skin. Such treatment can work or work out for the problem, leaving you sceptical towards the solution.

Here are few of the natural home remedies and tips that could help you in dealing with your skin discoloration.

Rose oil can be an effective cooling  the melanin pigment production. It is also a rich source of Vitamin C & E and can give you younger and smoother skin. Rose oil also removes dead skin cells, providing relief from burns. You can use it effectively for cleansing, toning, nourishing, and moisturizing the face.

Wash your face with raw milk daily to get a fairer complexion. For normal skin, curd can be equally effective as well.

Applying raw papaya pulp on skin can give a soft and supple skin. You can also use avocado instead, for getting the same benefits. Wash it off with raw milk.

Grind a bunch of mint leaves to make a paste. Apply this on your skin to give a soothing effect for the sun damage. You can use it initially daily for two weeks and then revert to once a week.

Tomato juice can be mixed with few drops of lemon juice and applied on face. This mixture acts as a bleaching agent and gives you a brightened complexion.

You can also make a paste with cucumber and coconut water and apply regularly on skin. Adding lemon in the place of coconut water can also be effective to get fair and glowing complexion.

A mixture of equal amounts of sandalwood powder with turmeric can help you get glowing skin. You can have this paste on for 10-15 mins and rinse it off with lukewarm water. For dry skin, you can splash off cold water to close the pores and tone your face.

For tan removal, soak 4-5 almonds overnight and grind it with rose water to form a paste. Apply this on the skin at bedtime and let it remain overnight. Wash off in the morning with cold water.

You can also use the almond paste with Gram flour, and 1 tsp of milk and few drops of lemon juice to get a paste. Use this to massage your face to bring out the natural fairness.

You can also use different face packs mentioned here to get a clearer and fairer skin.