Lighten dark areas and minimize stretch marks

Can you recommend any beauty product that can help lighten dark spots and armpits and remove stretch marks?

—MAY

The darkening of underarms, elbows and knees is most likely due to hyperpigmentation, a skin condition that affects more people than you think. It is mainly a result of excess melanin, which can be hereditary, or triggered by sun exposure or pregnancy.

In the case of underarms, the area can turn dark as a reaction to your deodorant, plucking or shaving, dead skin build-up or rubbing against tight clothing. Areas like your elbows and knees can also become dark and rough when you forget to exfoliate and moisturize.

The good news is, there are many ways to lighten these areas, and you can even use ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Foods with whitening properties include lemon or calamansi, as well as papaya and milk. You may try using these to lighten dark areas, but keep in mind these will take time (a few weeks) before you see a significant change.

Another way to do it is to find a whitening system to suit your needs and budget. Find a soap, lotion/moisturizer or cream that have active ingredients like vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and licorice extract, which are known to help brighten skin. Some even double as an exfoliant or deep moisturizer, which are also needed to speed up the whitening process.

But if you’re looking for a more drastic plan of action, a visit to your dermatologist is a good idea. She may be able to recommend a more potent whitening or bleaching cream to even out those dark spots. She may have a separate concoction for your underarms, since this area can be quite sensitive.

More complicated

Now, when it comes to stretch marks, well, this can be a little more complicated. We get stretch marks when we grow or gain weight too quickly, which causes our skin to break in some areas. It isn’t a serious thing, but, of course, we all want our skin to look smooth and bump-free.

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One of the most effective ways to prevent stretch marks is by moisturizing daily, which helps skin become more elastic and pliant. This is one of those times when that old adage, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” applies. Moisturizing daily will help stave off stretch marks.

However, if you have them already, try to assess the stage they’re in. The earlier you catch these stretch marks, the easier it will be to minimize them. Their appearance will depend on your skin color: They start out pink, reddish brown, brown or dark brown and eventually fade into a more silvery color. They’re easily treatable when still red or purple, than when they’ve turned silver or white with deep indentations.

Luckily, there are quite a few products out there that help minimize stretch marks. Read the label and look for the following active ingredients: retinoids (proven to increase collagen and elastic production, but not to be used when nursing); glycolic acid (also known as AHA, this boosts collagen production); and vitamin C (works well with glycolic acid).

These may also be available in their potent form from your dermatologist. And if you are looking for a faster way to zap those marks, ask your doctor about laser treatments.

Get Rid Of Dark Circle

Are you worried of those dark circles under eye? Dark circles are natural whenever you face severe tension, lack of sleep, depression or headaches. Everybody desires to look great and as a result maintain on experimenting with their looks.

You will find numbers of anti wrinkle creams coming up within the marketplace. Some aren’t that great whilst some will certainly assist your trigger. You should choose the 1 which greatest suits your skin.

Eye cream for dark circle will assist you to combat the vulnerable dark circles that have developed about your eyes because of continual tension and restlessness of the eyes. A normal use of the cream will make the skin near your eyes soften and smoothen, and give them a wholesome and young look.

Dark eye circle
Dark circles are caused below the eyes, where the skin is thin. This skin isn’t endowed with the oil glands like the rest parts of the body. Hence, as it gets dry, it gets wrinkly and outcomes within the formation of dark circles under the eyes.

Causes
1. Heredity: –
The dark circles are also caused because of heredity factors. Individuals with itchy skin conditions and prone to allergies, are extremely suspected of dark circles because of inflammation along with a lot of eye rubbing.
2. Lack of sleep: –
Those that suffer from insomnia, who don’t get to sleep correctly, and who overstress their muscles, are prone to dark circles.
three. Medication: –
Dark eye circles could also be caused because of the intake of drugs that trigger the blood vessels to dilate.
four. Sun exposure: –
The eyes are prone to dark circles because of the increased exposure of the skin to the sun that causes hyper-pigmentation.
five. Hormonal modifications: –
Throughout pregnancy and menstruation, the skin undergoes modifications causing dark circles about the eyes.
6.
The dark circle under eye cream is loaded with Yarrow root that penetrates deep to alleviate the dark eye circles. Additionally, it also enhances the blood circulation about the eyes.

Functions and advantages of eye cream

- Vitamin K and Yarrow for enhancing deep circulation.
- Production of important substances within the skin to create the skin tighter and healthier.
- Prevents moisture loss.
- Omega therapy for decreasing the sagging skin.
- Assists the skin to absorb the moisture present within the air.
- Stimulates blood circulation.

Brown (Age) & Pigmented Spots

Just about everyone has a few obvious brown skin spots on their skin. Freckles, "age spots", "liver spots", and various birth marks are just a few of the commonly known marks, referred to as pigmented lesions. These can be successfully lightened or removed with laser treatment.

he complexion of skin is determined by the amount of melanin pigment. Dark skin spots are usually due to an abnormal concentration in one area of the skin. Some of these are present at birth but most occur with age or as a result of overexposure to the sun's damaging rays.

aser treatment removes pigmented lesions with light energy. The rapid absorption of light energy causes the melanin to disintegrate and be carried away by the body’s natural mechanisms leaving the treated skin looking uniform in colour and texture.

he typical course involves three to four laser treatments each given four weeks apart. Occasionally, more laser treatments may be needed for certain individuals or conditions. Periodic occasional maintenance treatments may be prescribed for optimal, lasting results. Each laser treatment takes approximately 30 minutes.

mmediately following the laser treatment you may experience some redness, swelling and/or a slight darkening of pigmented areas. The redness and swelling usually disappear within one to three days. However darkened pigmentation may persist and flake off for up to one week following treatment. Makeup can be applied to the treated area if necessary. Application of SPF30 sun block on a daily basis is strongly recommended to prevent sun damage.

Get Rid Of Dark Circle

Are you worried of those dark circles under eye? Dark circles are natural whenever you face severe tension, lack of sleep, depression or headaches. Everybody desires to look great and as a result maintain on experimenting with their looks.

You will find numbers of anti wrinkle creams coming up within the marketplace. Some aren’t that great whilst some will certainly assist your trigger. You should choose the 1 which greatest suits your skin.

Eye cream for dark circle will assist you to combat the vulnerable dark circles that have developed about your eyes because of continual tension and restlessness of the eyes. A normal use of the cream will make the skin near your eyes soften and smoothen, and give them a wholesome and young look.

Dark eye circle
Dark circles are caused below the eyes, where the skin is thin. This skin isn’t endowed with the oil glands like the rest parts of the body. Hence, as it gets dry, it gets wrinkly and outcomes within the formation of dark circles under the eyes.

Causes
1. Heredity: –
The dark circles are also caused because of heredity factors. Individuals with itchy skin conditions and prone to allergies, are extremely suspected of dark circles because of inflammation along with a lot of eye rubbing.
2. Lack of sleep: –
Those that suffer from insomnia, who don’t get to sleep correctly, and who overstress their muscles, are prone to dark circles.
three. Medication: –
Dark eye circles could also be caused because of the intake of drugs that trigger the blood vessels to dilate.
four. Sun exposure: –
The eyes are prone to dark circles because of the increased exposure of the skin to the sun that causes hyper-pigmentation.
five. Hormonal modifications: –
Throughout pregnancy and menstruation, the skin undergoes modifications causing dark circles about the eyes.
6.
The dark circle under eye cream is loaded with Yarrow root that penetrates deep to alleviate the dark eye circles. Additionally, it also enhances the blood circulation about the eyes.

Functions and advantages of eye cream

- Vitamin K and Yarrow for enhancing deep circulation.
- Production of important substances within the skin to create the skin tighter and healthier.
- Prevents moisture loss.
- Omega therapy for decreasing the sagging skin.
- Assists the skin to absorb the moisture present within the air.
- Stimulates blood circulation.

Chemotherapy Side Effect: Dark Undereye Circles—5 Tips that May Help

News by Cinco Vidas

It’s bad enough to feel sick while you’re going through cancer treatments. Worse still to look sick, and nothing makes you look more worn out and down than dark circles under your eyes.

“These dark circles make me look so tired,” writes one fighter. “Can you please tell me some remedy for this problem?”

I’ve had several people ask me about this. You may think that it’s all because of lack of sleep or stress, but actually dark circles are more closely related to bruising—and that’s why they tend to happen during chemotherapy. According to darkcircles.net, dark circles under the eyes are caused by leaky capillaries. Blood leaks out into the surrounding skin, and as your body works to mop it up, you see the dark, purplish or blue-black discoloration. It’s much like when you injure yourself and see a bruise a few hours later. This process may happen elsewhere in the body and you wouldn’t even notice, but the skin under the eyes is so thin and delicate and the capillaries so close to the surface that the change in color becomes very visible.

Chemotherapy can cause excess bruising and bleeding, as I mentioned in a former post, so it’s no wonder some of that excess bruising can show up under your eyes.

There are some products out there that claim to help diminish dark circles, but unfortunately many of them contain parabens, ureas, and ingredients that are potentially toxic and best to avoid during treatment. Below I’ve given you five at-home tips to help battle dark undereye circles. Give them a try, and let me know if they help!

1. Tea bags. It’s one of those old tried-and-true remedies and it really does help. The caffeine in the tea diminishes water in the tissues to reduce puffiness, and the tea itself contains beneficial antioxidants. Squeeze out a cooled, used teabag and leave one on (or under) each eye for about 10 minutes. Since chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, chamomile tea bags may be extra helpful.

2. Cucumber slices. They feel cool and soothing on your eyes, and are known to help liven up the skin around the eyes.

3. Try some homemade mixtures. An old natural remedy recommends mixing a teaspoon of tomato juice, a half teaspoon lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of flour into a paste, applying under the eyes, and leaving for 10 minutes. At night, try mixing half almond oil and half honey and applying under the eyes before bed.

4. Puree a potato. Place an uncooked potato into a blender or liquidizer and puree, then place a little under each eye, lay down, and wait for up to 30 minutes.

5. Apply a cream with vitamin K. Vitamin K has shown in some studies to help diminish bruising. Try to find a non-toxic undereye cream with vitamin K. One possibility: CSI Recovery Eye Cream with Vitamin K & Arnica.

Have you tried any of these remedies? Do you have other suggestions?

How Can You Get Rid Of Brown Spots Naturally With No Chemicals

By: Carol Stack

Teenagers are especially vulnerable to acne, although it could affect men and women at all ages. Even though acne is typically curable, it could leave behind dark spots or marks about the person's face.

Those who had to deal with acne might not mind the dark spots left, but no one really likes to see their face marked up for the rest of their lives. That's why the fact that there are treatments for these dark spots is such good news. No longer does anyone need to live with marks left from bad acne. Their skin can be treated so it is left completely clear of any spots.

There are plenty of bleaching ingredients which may be used so that you can remove those ugly brown spots. Some bleaching materials consist of hydroquinone, beta carotene, licorice acid and kojic acid for whitening your skin. Which lotion you use depends upon your type of skin and how your skin tolerates the various ingredients. In selecting an ointment, take those two things under consideration.

It's the creams that typically contain the ingredients to stop the spots from getting produced. As new spots are prevented from developing, the skin starts to clear until all of the skin is the identical color, without any brown spots remaining.

Lotions are not the only treatment method for dark spots, there are also exfoliantions. Alpha hydroxyl acids are utilized in these, probably the most useful ingredients being lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

There's also a lot of products containing AHA that is highly effective for the brown spots attributable to acne. All you will have to do is employ this product on the skin to be treated in the interval stated on the prescription. It doesn't take more than two or so uses before you will observe the skin starting to exfoliate, leading to healthy layers of skin coming to the surface.

If the thought of using chemical products on your skin makes you nervous, then you can obtain the same fantastic results by utilizing home- made whitening products that use fruits and other foods. Food items such as milk, honey, carrots or papaya can produce a spotless skin in a matter of weeks.

Looking to get rid of dark circles and under-eye bags?

RIVERDALE — Those bags under the eyes caused by any number of issues can be upsetting to women and men alike, and while there is no scientific evidence that over-the-counter remedies work, they are worth a try.
Whether they show up after an allergy attack or result from a good cry, bags under the eyes can be unsightly and embarrassing for those who suffer. Strategies to reduce them depend on diligence and the individual.
Dr. Marc Abbate of the Dermatology Group inRiverdale says over-the-counter remedies, from eye-rolling cosmetics to collagen fillers, are not scientifically proven to work, although he did not say they do not work.
"Some people have a worse problem than others," said Abbate. "And, sometimes, it’s just age that causes this."
In addition to bags under the eyes, dark circles can be an issue. Caused by leaking blood vessels and thinning skin, dark circles can be attributed to aging or genetics, said Abbate.
According to WebMD, a simple dinner of salty foods or a night of crying can cause morning puffiness.
"The reason is osmosis," states the website. "Water always travels from areas in the body where there’s low salt concentrations to tissues where there’s more salt. That principle holds true whether the salt comes from tears or from soy sauce."
Vitamin K and kojic acid are helpful to alleviate eye bags and darkening, said Abbate, but there are no guarantees. Even cucumbers resting on the eyes are no real, proven relief.
But there is some hope for those struggling with a medical condition, such as dermatitis, eczema or roseacea, all of which can cause irritation under the eye.

Age Spots Home Remedies

Age spots, also known as liver spots, sun spots and lentigines are flat, harmless discolorations of the skin that are looked upon with disdain by people. This is because these yellow or brown skin discolorations occur on the face, neck and hands of people beyond the age of 40 and can reveal a person's age. Age spots occur mainly because of over exposure to the sun, thus, should be called as sun spots instead of age spots. However, since they have been commonly observed in people above the age of 40, they are referred to as age spots. Impaired liver function and dietary deficiencies can also conduce to the formation of these spots.

When the body is exposed to sunlight, it produces cells called melanocytes, to protect the skin from damage due to excessive exposure to the sun. These melanocytes produce a dark brown pigment called melanin, which gives the skin a suntanned appearance. However, a typical day in the sun can also cause an uneven jump in melanocytes. This weird production pattern conduces to formation of irregular coloring or skin pigmentation. Though these spots are harmless they affect the cosmetic appearance of a person, which is why age spots removal treatments have gained popularity across the globe. Moreover, the natural aspect of age spots home remedies has caused them to be preferred to over-the-counter face creams that have side effects on prolonged use. Read more on age spots on face.

Home Remedies for Age Spots Treatment

Remedy # 1: Horseradish
Horseradish, though not popularly known as a medical herb, is a fantastic herb that helps remove age spots and freckles. Just grate one 4 inch long piece of horseradish and add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to it. Mix well and allow the mixture to sit for 2 weeks (shaking daily). Then strain it into a small container and store it in the refrigerator. Take small amounts of this mixture and apply it on the spots 3 times a day. However, do test for anyallergies or skin irritations on a small patch of your skin before applying it on the face.

Remedy # 2: Onion and Vinegar
Chop an onion finely and extract its juice. Combine 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of onion juice in a container. Mix well and apply it on the age spots. Read more on skin care.

Remedy # 3: Lemon Juice
Take a lemon and rub it directly onto the spot. Citric acid present in the lemons makes them one of the strongest skin lightening natural remedies. You could even dab lemon juice onto the spots twice a day for two months to see the spots begin to fade away. However, people with hypersensitive skin should avoid this.

Remedy # 4: Castor Oil
Rubbing castor oil directly onto the skin twice a day helps blot out age spots. Castor oil penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and its acid and anti-inflammatory properties lighten the age spots. Castor oil should be kept away from the eyes and should only be used externally.

Remedy # 5: Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel and juice have been known for healing scores of skin disorders and problems like skin burns. Aloe Vera juice and gel are good remedies to remove age spots on skin. Just rub the gel or juice onto the spots twice a day. It will take a month before you notice any improvements.

Remedy # 6: Vitamin E
Cut the vitamin E capsule and apply the oil contained within directly on the age spots. Daily application helps reduce the appearance of age spots. In addition to this, one can even take vitamin E supplements daily.

Remedy # 7: Chick Pea Paste
Take 1/3 cup of fresh chick peas and mash it up with a little water to form a paste. Smear this paste onto the spots and leave it until it dries. Then wash it away.

Remedy # 8: Green Papaya
Take a cold piece of green papaya and rub its fleshy side on the skin to reduce age spots. Leave the papaya on the spots for 15-20 minutes and then wash it away. Apply the papaya daily until the desired lightness has been attained.

Age spots home remedies are the safest and most inexpensive ways of reducing age spots. However, it is important to note that eliminating these spots will take time, so do not expect immediate results. These age spots home remedies are not magic potions and you may have to wait for several months before noticing visible results. Nevertheless, do not give up! Try one remedy for a month or two and then try another one.

By Priya Johnson

Tips To Choose The Right Lipstick For Dark Lips

Getting the right kind of lipstick is very important. This should be in line with the clothes that you are wearing. It should also match the occasion. The way you look will matter greatly. There are many reasons to have dark lips. Exposure to the sun, excessive caffeine intake, imbalance in the hormone, harmful UV rays and allergies are some factors that lead to dark lips. You can treat these dark lips by using beetroot paste or pomegranate scrub. These are some of the best ways to lighten the lip complexion. Having dark lips is in fact a problem, especially when you are looking for lip colours. This may make you stay away from the latest trend and fashion. You should know what colours to stick to it, so that the dark lips don’t show. Therefore, extra care should be taken to know the best lipstick for dark lips. Burgundy One of the best lipsticks for dark lips is burgundy. Dark lips can always carry off deep and bold colours. This is one of the best ways to hide any pigmentation. This will give your lips that elegant look. Red Whatever be the lips colour, red lipstick will always look glamourous. This will add glamour almost instantly. Red lipstick will give you that bold and beautiful look. Cold red will work very well on dark lips. Trying out lip colours before using them is one of the ways on how to choose lipstick for dark lips. No to Pink For people who have dark lips, it is always better to avoid light colours. Colours such as pink and peach should be completely avoided. The problem with this is that the light colour will not cover the pigmentation of the lips. If you still want to use it, you can use concealer and corrector to line with the lips. This is one of the best lipsticks for dark lips. Wine red There is no reason to say no to this colour. Don’t think that dark lipsticks will not suit dark texture. This will help in neutralising the pigmentation. There is no harm in trying new colours. Nude colours This is an all-time favourite, there is no doubt that this will go well with a day or a night look. Makeup is not too made up if you are wise enough to select nude colours. Gloss or opaque lipsticks can be used. You can highlight your eyes for a perfect look. Texture This will play an important role. It can be matte finish or a moisture lipstick. Care should be taken not to use glossy lipstick as this will show the pigmentation. Consider the colour of the lipstick before deciding the texture. Dark lips offer too many options to select from neutral and dark colours. But, be careful not to go for too light colours.

How do I get rid of dark under-eye circles?

We've all have had those mornings: the ones where too little rest results in awful under-eye shadows. But dark circles are a regular occurrence for many of us, regardless of how often we get a solid night's sleep.

Dermatologists say discoloration under the eyes is one of the most common complaints they hear from patients. But exhaustion usually isn't the culprit: There are many contributing factors, as well as a number of remedies that can help banish those bags.

Here's what three local doctors had to say.

Dr. Rhoda Narins, Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center, White Plains

There are three main causes of chronic dark circles, which can affect any skin color. Genetics is often a factor: Excess pigmentation is a particular problem among blacks and Asians. Another reason is that dilated blood vessels — reddish-blue in color — sit close to the very thin skin under the eye, which gets even thinner with age. And what frequently looks like dark circles are actually shadows cast by hollows that develop under the eye, another side effect of aging.

Narins treats many patients by injecting fillers like Restylane and Juvederm Voluma to plump the skin in that area. Fillers can last between one and two years, and whenever you need it again, less is needed to do the job.

"People look younger and healthier because they don't have that darkness. The filler is a 'wow' procedure."

But Narins warns that it's a procedure that should only be performed by a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon — and not at a spa, salon or neighborhood party.

"This should not be done by a person who's had a weekend course. It has to be done by someone who knows what they're doing. This is a very sensitive area."

Dr. Wendy Epstein, dermatologist in West Nyack

Epstein notes that a doctor should first rule out illnesses associated with dark circles, including Addison's disease, hypothyroidism and anemia.

But when it comes to medical therapies, fillers are not the answer for everyone. Lighter-skinned patients, for example, may see better results with a CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser. This stimulates the production of collagen, causing the skin to thicken and tighten. Epstein also sometimes recommends chemical peels under the eyes to reduce pigmentation.

Still, some patients are not good candidates for any of these regimens.

"You have to know when not to treat people."

As for topical creams, Epstein prefers not to promote specific products, and she points out that many of those on the market don't work. Even those that are somewhat effective, such as products containing caffeine (which constricts blood vessels), provide only temporary relief.

Often, Epstein's best recommendation is a simple one.

"Sometimes, a good cosmetic is better than anything."

Dr. Neil Goldberg, dermatologist, Bronxville and White Plains

Goldberg, too, believes that makeup can be just as good as medical intervention. He's also a huge fan of self-tanners, which he says are not harmful.

"They sometimes make the pigment and dark circles less visible, because they eliminate contrast between the dark circles and the rest of the face."

It's also much safer than natural sun exposure, which damages skin and exacerbates dark circles. Not surprisingly, he advises wearing daily sunblock and sunglasses.

"They physically protect the eye and the structures around it. Find sunglasses you like – the bigger, the better."

And while a lack of sleep and poor eating habits don't cause under-eye circles, you can minimize red, puffy eyes by getting enough rest and cutting back on salt.

"In general, anything you do that increases sleep, decreases stress and improves your diet, only makes your eyes look better."

6 Simple Tips To Help Fade Dark Knuckles

Having dark knuckles can be a difficult thing to deal with for women of colour. It could be that you have them naturally or they could have been induced either by bleaching, excessive tanning, exposure to extreme/hazardous washing agents etc.

For a quick fix, here are some natural methods to help women who have dark knuckles

But First, What Causes Dark Knuckles?
You need to know that it could be genetic, a health issue or based on how you use your hands. For instance, dark knuckles become more emphasized when you use a lightening cream or if you expose your hands to a lot of chemicals including washing agents, bleach used for clothes or excessive washing of hands.

You must remember that because you use your hands a lot, your routine must focus on pampering those hands. The skin around the knuckle is tough and any lasting routine must have the ability to keep the area soft to enable it absorb any treatment, and include some type of scrub to help peel off the dark skin and hyper-pigmentation.

On that note, check out these tips by Obiageli Ajaero that can be used for both hands & feet to help you get rid of those dark knuckles.

1. Get a bottle of a good revitalizing lotion. Use a Q-tip/cotton bud/ear bud, dab it in the lotion and apply it on your dark knuckles. Be sure to lay on a thick layer of the lotion and ensure it gets absorbed into the skin. After the 5-minute mark, clean it off or rub it in.

2. Another great way to moisturize your dark knuckles is to use raw shea butter. First take a scoop of the butter and smother your hands and feet with it. Be sure to use this on your feet as well. Shea butter has properties that help even skin tone and moisturize the skin and will work well in reducing the darkness on your knuckles.

3. If it is severe, for the first week, after applying the Shea butter, wear disposable non-sterile powder free vinyl medical examination gloves on your hands and sleep over night with it. This will help lock in moisture to begin the peeling process. Then wash your hands with a mild scrub in the mornings.

4. For the feet, apply shea butter and then wrap your feet. The heat generated from the closure of the bag will help with peeling the skin fast. Do this every night for 1 week.

5. If it is not severe, then simply wear a cotton glove for your hands and a pair of cotton socks for your feet for about two weeks.

6. Using a scrub or skin polish as well is great for dark knuckles. Scrub the dark areas 2-3 times a week to help exfoliate the skin and reduce hyper-pigmentation.

If these do not help, you may need to see a dermatologist. Remember, a qualified dermatologist is a doctor! Consulting with uncertified beauticians can lead to damaged skin.

SOURCE: bellanaija

Home Remedies For Age Spots And Hyper Pigmentation

There are some home remedies for age spots on face. These natural remedies are safe and effective. Age spots are caused by an excess production of melanin. They may be caused by skin aging, sun exposure. You are most likely to develop age spots on the areas of your skin that receive the most sun exposure such as our face, back, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands. Sun exposure, aging, genetics and many other factors like stress, pregnancy, birth control pills, vitamin deficiencies or a weak liver all these factors contribute to age spots. So make sure to wear sunblock when you go out, get your stress under control. You must take your daily need of vitamins and minerals to avoid them from appearing. People of any age, sex or race can develop age spots. However, age spots are more common in people with certain risk factors such as being older than 40 years old, having fair skin, frequent sun exposure, having a history of frequent tanning bed use. It is best to opt for natural remedies for age spots on face as there is no chemical substances added in them. There are many creams and lotions in the market but many of these are packed with harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good in the long run. Today. Boldsky will share with you some safe and easy home remedies for age spots on face. Have a look at some natural remedies for age spots on face.

Lemon Juice How to get rid of dark age spots? Lemon juice helps to remove age spots and promotes a soft, clear skin. Rub pure lemon juice on the affected area and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. You can also dilute the lemon juice with water, rosewater or honey.

Castor Oil This is one of the best home remedies for age spots on face. Castor oil can effectively be used to reduce the appearance of dark spot and pigmentation. It has skin healing properties and helps to tone your skin. Massage the oil on the affected areas for a few minutes and leave it on for a couple of hours before washing it off. Do this twice a day to help fade dark spots and tone your skin.

Turmeric How to get rid of dark age spots? Turmeric paste decreases melanin build up in the skin and works great to treat dark spots and pigmentation. To make a turmeric mask, mix ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder with 2 to 3 tablespoons gram flour (flour made from chickpeas), ½ teaspoon oliveoil, ½ teaspoon milk, and some lemon or cucumber juice. Mix well to make a paste. Apply the mask on your face or other affected areas, leave it on for 10 minutes or until the mask dries on your skin. Remove the mask with warm water while making circular movements. Use once or twice a week.

Aloe Vera It is one of the effective home remedies for age spots on face. Its healing powers promote skin regeneration and works well to reduce pigmentation or dark spots caused by sun exposure. Gently massage pure aloe gel on the affected areas twice a day. To make a face mask, mix ½ tablespoon aloe vera gel with 1 tablespoon kelp powder, and ½ tablespoon raw honey. Keep it for 10 minutes. Use 2 to 3 times a week

Buttermilk How to remove brown spots naturally? Buttermilk helps to exfoliate the skin and removes blemishes and brown spots due to its high levels of lactic acid. Apply buttermilk to the affected area and leave it on for a few minutes before washing it off with water. Add lemon juice or tomato juice for a better effect. Repeat once or twice a day.

Sandalwood Sandalwood has anti-aging and antiseptic properties. It helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Make a paste with 2 tablespoons sandalwood powder, 2 teaspoons rosewater, 1 teaspoon glycerin, and one teaspoon lemon juice. Apply the paste on the affected area for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. Apply this mixture a few times a week until brown spots improve.

Papaya You can use papaya to remove skin brown spots. Rub the inside of a papaya skin onto the affected areas of your skin for a few minutes. Keep it for 15 minutes. Rinse off once it gets dry. Repeat daily to reduce dark spots or pigmentation in a few weeks' time.

Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains powerful alpha hydroxy acids to help remove dead skin cells and makes your complexion fresher and healthier. Apply a little undiluted ACV directly onto the age spots with a cotton wool bud and leave for about 20-30 minutes. Do it for about 6 weeks. Using ACV is one of the best best way to fade sun spots.

Lighten dark areas and minimize stretch marks

Can you recommend any beauty product that can help lighten dark spots and armpits and remove stretch marks?

—MAY

The darkening of underarms, elbows and knees is most likely due to hyperpigmentation, a skin condition that affects more people than you think. It is mainly a result of excess melanin, which can be hereditary, or triggered by sun exposure or pregnancy.

In the case of underarms, the area can turn dark as a reaction to your deodorant, plucking or shaving, dead skin build-up or rubbing against tight clothing. Areas like your elbows and knees can also become dark and rough when you forget to exfoliate and moisturize.

The good news is, there are many ways to lighten these areas, and you can even use ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Foods with whitening properties include lemon or calamansi, as well as papaya and milk. You may try using these to lighten dark areas, but keep in mind these will take time (a few weeks) before you see a significant change.

Another way to do it is to find a whitening system to suit your needs and budget. Find a soap, lotion/moisturizer or cream that have active ingredients like vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and licorice extract, which are known to help brighten skin. Some even double as an exfoliant or deep moisturizer, which are also needed to speed up the whitening process.

But if you’re looking for a more drastic plan of action, a visit to your dermatologist is a good idea. She may be able to recommend a more potent whitening or bleaching cream to even out those dark spots. She may have a separate concoction for your underarms, since this area can be quite sensitive.

More complicated

Now, when it comes to stretch marks, well, this can be a little more complicated. We get stretch marks when we grow or gain weight too quickly, which causes our skin to break in some areas. It isn’t a serious thing, but, of course, we all want our skin to look smooth and bump-free.

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One of the most effective ways to prevent stretch marks is by moisturizing daily, which helps skin become more elastic and pliant. This is one of those times when that old adage, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” applies. Moisturizing daily will help stave off stretch marks.

However, if you have them already, try to assess the stage they’re in. The earlier you catch these stretch marks, the easier it will be to minimize them. Their appearance will depend on your skin color: They start out pink, reddish brown, brown or dark brown and eventually fade into a more silvery color. They’re easily treatable when still red or purple, than when they’ve turned silver or white with deep indentations.

Luckily, there are quite a few products out there that help minimize stretch marks. Read the label and look for the following active ingredients: retinoids (proven to increase collagen and elastic production, but not to be used when nursing); glycolic acid (also known as AHA, this boosts collagen production); and vitamin C (works well with glycolic acid).

These may also be available in their potent form from your dermatologist. And if you are looking for a faster way to zap those marks, ask your doctor about laser treatments.

Rid Yourself of Dark Spots Once and For All

Dark spots: at some point or another, just about everybody gets them. And while diffusing their appearance takes a little patience and a devoted skin care regimen, your spots can fade over time. Get the science behind hyperpigmentation, along with some product solutions, when you continue reading.

How did they happen? Right now your skin is producing melanin through a process called melanogenesis. But when you suffer a trauma (like picking at acne or being exposed to too much sun), the skin can produce extra melanin in that area as a protective mechanism. Hello, hyperpigmentation.

How to treat it: Cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson prescribes a spot treatment with hydroquinone to fade dark spots. "Hydroquinone blocks melanin production, and eventually the block becomes permanent. So it's really the most effective," she says. Wilson also recommends adding alpha hydroxy acids to your regular skin care regimen to increase cellular turnover and get rid of the darkened skin layers more quickly. After about a month, you should begin to see results.

What you're probably doing wrong: Wilson admits the biggest mistake people make is forgetting to wear sunscreen on top of the brightening treatment. "UV rays are much stronger than the ingredients you're putting on, so the melanogenesis process just continues to speed up," she explains. "It's like putting up a [small] cone to block a [huge] Mack truck." But sunscreen is like a wall and will work to keep the bad stuff out and your treatment's active ingredients in.

Want to get rid of dark circles?

Skin issues are something that is of top concern among all especially the girls who are too careful with their skin. One of the most problematic skin problems is dark circles that many a times leaves you petrified when you look yourself in the mirror. Also, they make you more and more sluggish and look dull.

The skin under your eyes is the thinnest and as one takes stress, the effect is immediately noticed with the darkening of skin round one's eyes. These dark circles really become troublesome as once you get them, it is quite tough to get rid of them. However, there are some ways by which you can prevent the skin around your eyes to get damaged and also get rid of them.

People get dark circles because their body is not getting what it requires. Also, one can get them due to problems like fatigue, stress, dehydration, poor circulation, inflammation, poor genes or melanin accumulation.

So, to fix them, all you need to do is to increase the moisturizing proportion in your skin. You can use cucumber or green tea bags to cool down the skin around your eyes. Potatoes are very helpful in reducing the dark circles as they contain enzymes called catalase that help in lightening them. Intake of Vitamin C will also help in reducing them. Another important thing one must do is drink lots of water and healthy juices to get dark circle free.

So, what are you waiting for try it and get rid of them.

Brighten up

Perk up your complexion with brightening products.

Lacklustre, dull skin is a regrettably common beauty woe.

But actually there are plenty of ways to perk up a tired looking complexion - starting with a good buffing.

"If you want to tackle dull skin, start by exfoliating," says skin guru and facialist Louise Tear.

"Dead skin cells build up, diffusing the light and making your complexion look dull.

"A light exfoliation every day is fine if you're prone to lacklustre skin.

"And once a week, use an exfoliator containing salicylic acid, which will really clean out clogged pores.

"It's actually best to exfoliate in the evening as skin cells turn over and repair while you sleep, so getting some rest makes a big difference," she adds.

There are plenty of clever radiance-boosting products lining the beauty shelves too.

From light reflecting foundation to vitamin-packed primers, there is plenty of help at hand.

"I really like Christian Dior Sublissime Base SPF 50, which protects against UV rays, which can damage and dull your complexion. Plus, it brightens by reducing tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production," recommends Louise.

"Another favourite is Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, which uses salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin's top layers, and is packed with vitamins C and E as well as ferulic acid, all of which fight pigment-encouraging free radicals, plus a mushroom extract to minimise dark spots.

"I also love Clarins Brightening Body Veil which has combination of chamomile, parsley, and birch to help even out skin tone by soothing irritation and inhibiting melanin, while glycerin moisturises and light-reflective particles give a slight sheen," adds Louise.

How to brighten up dark spots

Even out your skin tone using some of these tips.

They're known as age spots, liver spots, sunspots or solar lentigines. Whatever you call them, dark spots are a surefire giveaway of age.

For the uninitiated, age spots are basically collections of pigment, also known as melanin, that often appear after exposure to ultra-violet light - which is why they're so likely to pop up on your face and hands. With this in mind, the best way to truly reduce the appearance of brown spots and prevent new ones is to slap on the sunscreen.

If you aren't using a sunscreen 365 days a year, even when you're inside, dark spots and uneven skin tone won't budge.

Alongside being mindful of UV rays, there are lots of vitamins and botanicals that work to fade spots by interrupting melanin production.

"Vitamin C, vitamin B3, soy, licorice, arbutin, and kojic acid are all good," says top skincare expert Arielle Kauvar.

"But they work in slightly different ways, so fit as many into your daily regimen as possible."

In the morning, Arielle advises wearing brighteners that are also antioxidants, such as vitamin C, licorice and soy. At night, she recommends using these same pigment-reducing ingredients together with an alpha hydroxy acid or retinoid to correct skin tone and help fade dark spots.

"Any kind of irritation, including rashes or acne, accelerates the production of pigment," Arielle told Allure.

"If your skin flares up, go back to a basic creamy cleanser and a moisturiser with ceramides until it recovers.

"You can fade spots with over-the-counter treatments and should see gradual results after six to eight weeks. So don't quit a lightening regimen just because spots don't disappear overnight."

Something to bat an eye at: New treatment brings hope to patients that can't close their eyes

The FDA recently announced it was loosening restrictions on the use of devices that help treat a particular type of eye dryness. This type of eye dryness results from an inability to fully close the eye, a medical condition known as lagophthalmos. This condition most frequently results from facial paralysis, which may occur following an injury to the facial nerve.

The facial nerve, or seventh cranial nerve, has many important functions, including taste sensation, production of tears, and movement of the facial muscles responsible for facial expression, including smiling. It also has the responsibility of closing the eye.

The most commonly used technique to treat this condition is through the placement of a platinum or gold weight under the skin of the upper eyelid By adding this extra weight, gravity helps pull the lid down and close it. The simple procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia and only takes only about 15 minutes.

While this procedure is fairly simple, a non-surgical solution would be even more beneficial to certain patients, particularly those in which facial weakness and the inability to close the eye is only temporary.

That is why physicians welcome the news that the FDA recently decided to loosen up regulations on other devices to help close the eye (http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/healthcare/203888-fda-helps-people-close-their-eyes). This will allow scientists and researchers the opportunity to further investigate improved treatments for this difficult condition.

The University of Utah Center for Facial Nerve Disorders is actively involved in facial nerve research and was awarded a research grant from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to further investigate this exciting new technology.