Dark spots can occur on any part of the body but are most common over the parts that are exposed to the sun. You can find them on your hand, face, back, and shoulders. Dark spots on your skin are harmless and do not require any treatment. People may choose to remove them for aesthetic and cosmetic reasons. So, how does aloe vera help with dark spots? Let’s find out in the upcoming section.
How To Use Aloe Vera To Remove Dark Spots
In order to use aloe vera for dark spots removal, you can apply the fresh gel from the plant or store-bought aloe vera gel. If you want to use fresh gel from the plant, here is how you can extract it: Process To Extract Aloe Vera Gel Now that you’ve extracted the gel or have got your hands on a store-bought gel, here is how to use it. Process Of Applying The Gel
Wash your face with mild soap and lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel. Apply a thin layer of the gel on the pigmented area and leave it overnight. Rinse with lukewarm water the next morning. Repeat this process till the dark spot disappears.
Since the research on the use of aloe vera for dark spots removal is limited, there is no definite time frame to tell how long it will take for the dark spots to disappear. Apart from removing dark spots, aloe vera also offers many other benefits for the skin.
Other Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Skin
The use of aloe vera in skincare and beauty products can be traced back to the days of queens Cleopatra and Nefertiti. This cactus-like plant can do a lot of good for your skin. Let us find out in detail.
Antiseptic Properties
Aloe vera contains antiseptic agents like salicylic acid, lupeol, and nitrogen that help in preventing bacteria and fungi that cause infection. Applying aloe vera gel on small cuts and nick may help in preventing bacterial and fungal infection (4).
Moisturizing And Anti-aging Benefits
Aloe vera contains mucopolysaccharides that help in retaining the moisture of the skin. It also helps in stimulating fibroblasts that produce collagen and may help with dry skin. This makes the skin more elastic and less wrinkled, thereby, making it look youthful (4).
Wound Healing Properties
Aloe vera has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat wounds and skin conditions. Studies attribute aloe vera’s regenerative properties to the presence of glucomannan which stimulates collagen production. Increased collagen amount in wounded areas is known to promote recovery (5).
Anti-inflammatory And Antimicrobial Effects
Aloe vera contains antioxidants, amino acids, and numerous other minerals that give it anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can also help soothe rashes and allergic reactions caused by poison ivy. Applying it to sunburnt skin can help relieve some of the pain and burning sensation. Its antimicrobial properties can also help relieve itching in cases of eczema (6).
Helps Treat Burns, Blisters, And Rashes
Studies suggest that it can help with the painful sensations caused by burns and blisters on the skin. Applying aloe vera gel may also help reduce the stinging sensation caused by herpes. Aloe vera juice may be effective in alleviating the symptoms of warts, eczema, and psoriasis (6).
May Reduce Radiation-Induced Dermatitis
Using aloe vera lotion on the skin prior to cancer radiation therapy may help reduce the intensity of radiation-induced dermatitis. A study suggested that the intensity of dermatitis was lower in patients who use aloe vera gel on irradiated areas of the skin (7). While aloe vera has some great benefits for the skin, it may have a few downsides too. Let us find out in the next section.
Possible Side Effects And Safety Precautions To Be Considered Before Using Aloe Vera
There is very limited research to point out the side effects of aloe vera on the skin. Using aloe vera gel on the skin is generally harmless. In a few rare cases, it may cause skin rashes and may aggravate contact dermatitis (8). Aloe vera-based cosmetics are not fully regulated by the USFDA. This means that you need to be careful about the products that you are buying. There are chances of buying counterfeit aloe vera gels that may cause adverse reactions. One way to ensure buying genuine aloe vera-based beauty products is to look for the seal of the International Aloe Science Council (IASC). Using aloe vera for dark spot removal is only one among various remedial options.
What Are The Other Remedies To Treat Dark Spots?
You can choose from two broad categories of remedies to treat dark spots. You could opt for simple cosmetic procedures or you could try a few home remedies. If you chose to go with cosmetic procedures, here are a few options that are available.
Laser treatment
This is a popular choice to remove dark spots. Pulse laser light is used to target and break up the melanin that is causing the dark spot.
Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen is used to target the dark spots and freeze them. This injures the skin, during recovery the skin lightens and the dark spots disappear.
Prescription Creams
Your dermatologist may recommend skin-lightening creams that contain hydroquinone as the active ingredient. Hydroquinone-based creams are considered the standard prescription cream for treating hyperpigmentation. This cream helps in the depigmentation of the skin, causing it to lighten and get rid of dark spots (9). If you are looking at home remedies as an alternative to cosmetic procedures, you can try the following:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Studies suggest that apple cider vinegar may help reduce pigmentation and lighten the skin (10). Here’s how to use it:
Green Tea Extracts
There is some evidence to suggest that green tea extracts may contain polyphenolic compounds that may help in depigmentation. However, further research is required to substantiate this (11). Can aloe vera remove blackheads? No. Aloe vera cannot remove blackheads. However, using aloe vera may help prevent acne breakouts. Is aloe vera good for under eyes? Yes. Aloe vera has hydrating properties and feels soothing on the skin. It may help keep the undereye area soft and hydrated.
