Hyperpigmentation on Legs: Causes and Treatment
While many women appreciate having their skin a bit of color during the summer, some may be dismayed to observe that their fair-skinned legs can become quite tan in one day. After years of sun exposure and age, this type of hyperpigmentation is often irreversible.
However, we see many cases where we can significantly improve dark spots and scars. If you’re concerned about how your skin looks on your legs, you should know the:
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
When melanocytes (cells responsible for producing pigment) begin to make more pigment than usual, they cause areas of discoloration known as hyperpigmented lesions or ” ge.”This””can””result from too much sun exposure, irritation from pomades or shaving creams used on the legs, or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Scrubs and Microdermabrasion Can Improve Hyperpigmentation On Legs
Both microdermabrasion and scrubbing with a loofah sponge can help exfoliate dead cells sitting on top of the skin. This will decrease discoloration by removing blotchy skin, making brown spots appear darker than the rest of the skin. However, this is not recommended for swimmers since chlorine in swimming pool water may cause redness to your skin; if you’re going to be in the water, try some waterproof sunscreen instead!
How To Treat Hyperpigmentation On Legs?
The best way to treat hyperpigmentation on legs is with our Fade Peel. This is the only prescription-strength skin-lightening product that contains two FDA-approved actives, Hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid (HPP) and Resorcinol. We’ve had great success in achieving lighter complexions in patients who have used this peel before. It will clear away plenty of blemishes in a very short period!
The darkening of the skin or appearance of dark-colored spots on the face, legs, or neck is called hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is controlled by melanin pigment, which is responsible for providing color to the skin. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes present in the lower areas of the epidermis.
Hyperpigmented legs look awkward, and women cannot wear skirts and short dresses. There are many causes of dark spots on the body.
Hyperpigmentation on Legs Causes:
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Any disturbance in the production of the usual amount of melanocytes can lead to the appearance of dark spots and blemishes on the skin. As the body ages, melanocyte distribution becomes less diffuse, and its production does not remain in complete control of the body. As a result, dark spots increase with age. The leading causes of hyperpigmentation of the legs and face are given below:
Sun exposure: Ultra Violet rays of the sun stimulate the activity of melanocytes, and hyperpigmentation occurs in the areas of the skin with a higher concentration of melanocytes. UV rays lead to uneven and patchy skin. Overexposure of the legs by the harsh sunlight leads to dark spots and blemishes on the legs.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) is also responsible for causing dark spots, freckles, and blemishes on the skin. PIH results when injured or wounded areas leave marks. Sometimes, these marks grow dark with time. There are certain drugs and medicines which have some side effects.
Drugs: Hyperpigmentation is one of the side effects of medicines. The marks start fading when a person stops using a particular drug. Lifelong drugs lead to forever spots, and there is no chance of the disappearance of blemishes.
Diseases: Some diseases cause hyperpigmentation. They are A.ddison’s Hemochromatosis, Acanthosis, and migraine, among others. Hemochromatosis is a common genetic disorder that causes the chronic accumulation of iron in the body, resulting in brownish-red spots.
Adrenal deficiency syndrome, also known as Addison’s syndrome, causes dark spots to appear on the body. The less efficient adrenal gland stimulates melanin synthesis, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is elevated, resulting in dark spots and blemishes.
Specific blemishes and spots can lead to cancer if left untreated. So, treatment of hyperpigmentation is essential.
Hyperpigmentation on Legs Treatment:
Hyperpigmentation can be treated with laser treatment, bleaching creams, chemical peels, acid peels, microdermabrasion, and many home remedies.
Laser treatment: Laser treatments completely vanish blemishes and dark spots on the face and legs. However, this treatment is costly and not suitable for every skin type. Freezing (cryotherapy) is one such therapy that destroys liver spots and other blemishes. Some places, like liver spots, are not harmful, but they look awkward on the skin, and their treatment is necessary.
Microdermabrasion is the most common dermatologist-based treatment for hyperpigmentation. In this procedure, a dermatologist uses a laser to exfoliate the top layer of skin to remove darkened and blemished areas.
Skin lightening creams: Many skin lightening and bleaching creams are available to cure hyperpigmentation of the legs. These creams contain hydroquinone, kojic acid, and Vitamin E, which are useful in lightening blemishes and spots on the legs. Buy a skin bleach cream containing hydroquinone.
Rub the lotion on hyperpigmented spots on your legs and arms twice a day. After a few months of regular use, the spots will disappear.
Homemade remedies: Homemade remedies are considered the best treatment for hyperpigmentation as they do not cause any side effects and are almost free of cost. They can be easily accessible. Some of the best remedies are given below:
Lemon and vinegar mask: Take two lemons, cut them into two halves, squeeze out the juice, and divide the juice into two equal amounts. Put the divided portion of lemon juice in two separate containers. Now, take some apple cider vinegar and add it to both containers containing lemon juice. Keep one aside, and add enough sugar to the other bowl to form a thin paste.
Scoop up some of this paste with your hands and gently scrub it over your legs with your fingertips. The sugar exfoliates your skin by sloughing off dead cells and revealing new skin. Citric acid or lemon juice soaks into the skin and begins the process of fading. Apple cedar vinegar helps in fading dark spots and blemishes.
Both lemon and apple cedar vinegar also help lighten the leg’s color. Now wipe the paste from your legs and soak two soft clothes in a sugarless mixture of lemon and Apple cedar vinegar.
Wrap these clothes containing the sugarless mixture on both legs. Make sure each cloth unfolds enough to cover the spotted area on each leg. Spread the clothes on each leg and keep them as such for ten minutes. This additional soaking will help the spots lighten faster and more quickly.
After ten minutes, rinse your legs and clothes. Repeat the process every day for about a month. The result can be seen within two weeks, as spots will start fading away. The spots will be invisible in one month.
Vitamin E lotion: Buy a lotion containing Vitamin E. Rub this lotion on the dark spots on your legs daily. Regular use of vitamin E on your legs will fade the dark spots completely. Vitamin E is very good for nourishing the skin.
Vitamin E capsules should be taken regularly to see results within a few weeks. A Vitamin E-rich diet must be included in meals. Vitamin E is present in spinach, fish, Tofu, etc.
Castor oil: Castor oil is a natural skin lightener. Rub castor oil on the blemishes and other hyperpigmented areas of your legs. The dark spots will fade away within one month.
Lemon juice and potato: Peel a small potato and cut it into pieces. Cut a half cucumber into pieces. Add two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and one tablespoon of yogurt to a blender and paste.
Apply this paste to the affected areas of the legs, cover with two damp hot towels, and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. Potatoes are very useful for reducing dark spots. Cucumbers lighten the skin. Yogurt makes the skin soft. This remedy is beneficial for all skin types.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a very beneficial plant for hyperpigmentation. It has been used in many homemade remedies, and many people grow it in their homes. The juice or gel of aloe vera can be extracted at home or bought from the market. Take some amount of gel or juice and directly apply it to the pigmented areas of the legs.
Keep the solution on for 15 minutes on the legs. Now rinse it off with cold water. Regularly using this remedy will help fade spots, and the skin will become softer and healthier. Aloe vera juice can also be consumed. This intake will improve complexion.
Sunscreen: A person with hyperpigmentation of any type must apply sunscreen to sun-exposed body parts before going outside in the sun. Sunscreen protects the body from ultraviolet rays. It works like a shield, but UV rays fail to penetrate the body.
Sunscreen should be applied to the face, legs, and hands about 30 minutes before leaving home. It takes 30 minutes for sunscreen to penetrate the body and form a shield.
Conclusion: It is not difficult to completely free body pigmentation. The remedies should be followed on a regular basis. Your legs will be free from pigmentation within weeks.