Dark spots can impact both your look and confidence, but you can treat the condition with some home remedies and restore your original skin texture. We can help you to treat your dark spots and wear your favorite outfits in summer. You can improve dark spots with proper skin care and treatments.
You can go through the following to know how to achieve this. We will cover the causes, preventive tips, home remedies, and available treatments. Keep reading and get rid of those annoying spots on your legs.
Why Do You Get Dark Spots on Your Legs?
The following factors can cause hyperpigmentation on your legs.
Constant Sun Exposure
You might get dark spots on your legs due to constant sun exposure. Your skin will generate more melanin to protect it from excessive sun contact. Excess melanin production can make some skin darker than the surrounding areas, and you might notice dark spots. Moreover, regular sun exposure can harm more and lead to skin cancer in people with fair skin.
Improper Shaving
Improper shaving can also develop black spots on your skin. We call it strawberry skin, but it is not hyperpigmentation and looks like patterns. You will find them similar to hair follicles and skin pores. You can have these harmless spots while using dull and old razors. The wrong pulling methods can also lead to this condition. We can take the example of hot wax that results in clogged pores, ingrown hair, tiny bumps, and rough dark spots. All these cause visible dark spots on your leg.
Melanoma
You might get brown and dark spots on your legs due to melanoma, a severe skin condition. It is a skin cancer that appears in the lower leg, and the size and color of these spots will keep changing. You can have this dangerous skin condition due to excessive sun exposure, fake tanning, and UV rays. You can consult a dermatologist as soon as possible if you notice changes in the size and color of dark spots. An experienced healthcare professional can examine the dark spots and suggest proper treatment.
Clogged Pores
You can have clogged pores on your legs, like on your face. The bacteria, dirt buildup, sebum, and dead skin might block pores, and you can have some dark spots. Oily skins will generate more oil while shedding cells fast. Hence, you can see black spots on the legs and other parts of your body.
Folliculitis
You can get folliculitis due to many factors. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria causes inflammation in hair follicles resulting in folliculitis. Also, improper shaving, tight clothes, and poor hygiene can cause such skin conditions. You can see itchy and red bumps on the skin of your legs, and they will turn dark gradually. Mild folliculitis will not cause any type of harm and heal without any treatment. But some might need medical attention and can cause permanent scarring and dark spots when not treated.
Keratosis Pilaris
Chicken skin or Keratosis pilaris causes tiny brown and red spots on your skin. This skin condition targets the outsides of arms, but you can also find these spots on your buttocks and thighs. You can develop this condition due to excessive keratin production. Excessive keratin will block hair follicles, and you can get bumps. However, this skin condition has no cure, and you can address its symptoms with regular moisturization and exfoliation. Moisturizers will improve your skin's appearance and reduce that bumpy texture.
Diabetic Dermopathy
It is another skin condition that causes dark spots on the lower parts of your leg. We call these dark spots shin shots, but you can find them more in diabetes patients above fifty. You might not find any specific cause of diabetic dermopathy. But many believe excessive dryness damages the blood vessels near the skin, and you get these dark spots. However, you can notice improvements once your sugar level is in control.
In addition to all these, other health complications and external factors might cause dark spots on your legs. You can improve the condition fast once you find out the source. However, you can consider the following treatments when you do not know the cause and feel these are due to external factors.
Home Remedies for Dark Spots on Legs
You will find many home remedies to treat the dark spots on your legs. Most of them are easy to follow and effective. Here are such home remedies you can go through to improve your condition.
Baking Soda Remedy
The abrasive nature of baking soda will exfoliate your skin, and you can get rid of dead skin cells. Also, it will fade away dark spots and improve your skin texture. You are the steps to prepare baking soda solution for dark spots.
Ingredients for Baking Soda Paste
- One tablespoon of water
- One tablespoon of baking soda
How to Make and Use It
- Make the paste by mixing water and baking soda
- Take the paste and massage the affected area for about one to two minutes
- Wait for a couple of minutes
- Rinse the paste off with water
You can apply it daily to notice visible results and remove the spots.
Aloe Vera & Sugar Scrub
You might know that sugar granules can work as natural scrubs. You can use sugar to unclog pores and remove your dead skin cells. Moreover, the aloe vera will moisturize your skin, make it smooth, and address skin inflammation.
Ingredients for Aloe Vera Scrub
- Two tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- Two to three tablespoons of the sugar
- One to two tablespoons of olive oil
How to Make and Use It
- Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients
- Use the homemade scrub to massage the affected area in a circular motion
- Massage gently for ten minutes and rinse it off with water
You can use aloe vera mix scrub two or three times a week. It will improve skin appearance and make it soft.
Rose Water & Cucumber Scrub
Many use cucumber in their skincare routine for its skin lightening properties. Cucumber will reduce the melanin content in your skin and soothe and hydrate your irritated and dry skin. You can add rose water since it can promote overall skin health.
Ingredients for Cucumber Scrub
- Four tablespoons of rose water
- One cup of grated cucumber
- Two to three drops of coconut or olive oil
How to Make and Use It
- Get a bowl and mix all these ingredients to make your scrub
- Take the scrub and massage the affected area for about ten minutes
- Rinse it off with water
You can apply a moisturizer after scrubbing if the area is visibly dry. You can use it every day until you notice significant improvements.
You can try these home remedies, but they might take time to offer noticeable results. You can visit a dermatologist to address the condition fast. Here are some treatment options you can expect while visiting a dermatologist.
Medical Treatments
Laser Therapy
You can consider laser therapy to reduce melasma and correct dark spots on your legs. Your dermatologist will use wavelength based on your skin type and pigmentation mark. Here are some laser therapies that the healthcare professional might consider for your dark spots.
- Red Light: QS Alexandrite and QS Ruby
- Green Light: QS Nd: YAG and pulsed dye laser
- Near-infrared: QS Nd: YAG
2Cryotherapy
In 2Cryotherapy, the dermatologist will expose your spots to low temperatures and destroy your dark skin cells. Once your skin starts to heal, you will notice improvements in pigmentation.
These treatments are effective for dark spots, but you can avoid them with preventive measures. Here are ways to prevent dark spots appear on your legs.
Tips to Prevent Dark Spots on Legs
- Develop Proper Shaving Practices
You can lubricate your skin and use a new razor to make shaving easy and prevent dark spots and razor bumps. Consider using foam, follow proper shaving technique, exfoliate before shaving your legs, and moisturize after shaving.
- Use Scrubs
You can use scrubs and exfoliants to prevent ingrown hair and unblock your skin pores. Also, you can promote the skin cell regeneration process with regular exfoliation. It will make your skin smooth, soft, and clear and improve the texture. But avoid over exfoliating since it can irritate the skin, and you might have more dark spots on your legs.
- Focus on Moisturization
We all know regular moisturization can make our skin soft and protect it from inflammation and dryness. You can consider moisturizing your skin after shaving and use natural oils or lotions with shea butter and plant oils. Find the right moisturizer to get optimal hydration and promote your skin health.
- Use Sunscreen
You can wear a sunscreen lotion on exposed areas, including legs, while stepping out under the sun. You can apply it frequently within one hour to maximize the benefits and choose one with PA ++++ rating and SPF 30 to get the best protection.
Now we know how to prevent and treat dark spots on your legs. Next, we will discuss some queries related to ankle and skin discoloration.
Why Are Ankles Darker Than Legs?
People with dark skin tone might have darker ankles due to many factors. It is natural for them to have dark elbows, knuckles of fingers, knees, and ankles. They get darker ankles due to chronic venous insufficiency or hemosiderin staining. They develop this condition when blood leaks from capillaries and pools under the skin. It causes hemoglobin residue accumulation on the tissues and starts appearing darker gradually. Hence, you might find the ankle skin darker than the surrounding skin. However, you can visit a dermatologist immediately if you see reddish-brown spots accompanied by aches and swelling.
What Are the Causes of Knee Discoloration?
You can have knee hyperpigmentation or discoloration due to friction. The friction will produce more melanin leading to discoloration. Also, clogged pores and constant UV exposure can lead to such conditions. However, you can prevent this condition with regular exfoliation. You can visit a dermatologist if you have a visible difference. The medical professional might give hydroquinone creams to improve appearance.
FAQs
How Can I Recognize Age Spots?
Age spots are easy-to-recognize due to their dark brown, flat, and oval shapes.
Can I Apply Apple Cider Vinegar to Dark Spots on Legs?
Apple cider vinegar contains lactic, malic, and acetic acids and can treat dark spots.
Is Turmeric Effective for Dark Spots on Legs?
Yes, you can use turmeric to improve your condition.
Can I Use Lemon on Dark Spots?
Lemon is rich in a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C, that will prevent melanin formation and might lighten the dark spots on legs.
Is Olive Oil Effective for Dark Spots on Legs?
You will not find any scientific evidence supporting the usage of olive oil on dark spots.
Can I Use Coconut Oil on Dark Spots?
There is no relevant data to prove the effectiveness of coconut oil on dark spots.
Key Takeaways
- You can get dark spots on your legs due to poor shaving techniques, chronic medical conditions, clogged pores, and constant sun exposure.
- You can use baking soda, rose water, sugar, cucumber, and aloe vera to treat dark spots on your legs.
- Chemical peeling and laser therapy can also address the condition.
- Proper shaving practices, regular moisturization, exfoliation, and sunscreen lotions are preventive measures for dark spots.
You can prevent dark spots on your legs by following some preventive measures. Moisturize and exfoliate your legs regularly to maintain smoothness and protect them from external damages. Besides, consider wearing sunscreen lotion whenever you are under the sun and reapply it a few times a day to get maximum protection. You can prevent and treat dark spots by following the above tips. Also, dark spots are not harmful in most cases. However, you can talk to your doctor immediately if you notice changes in the size and color or any discharge from the spot. You can take immediate action when there is a lot of discomfort and tenderness in the affected area. Your physician can offer you the best help in this regard.
