Excessive sun exposure: The most important cause of dark skin is ultraviolet (UV) rays. When exposed to excessive sunlight, the body produces more melanin, a pigment, to protect the skin. This appears as sun spots/age spots on the face and hands.
Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal changes in women during pregnancy or when using birth control pills can cause dark spots on the face. This is called melasma. In addition, thyroid disorders can also cause skin discoloration through hormonal changes.
Insulin Resistance (Acanthosis Nigricans): If you see dark spots around the neck, armpits, or in the folds, it can be a sign of insulin resistance. This can be a sign of prediabetes. The skin is thick and velvety.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Dark spots often appear on the skin after acne, eczema, wounds, or insect bites. This is because the skin produces more melanin as the wound heals.
Use of medicines and chemicals: Some medicines, excessive use of cosmetics, or excessive use of poor-quality creams can cause allergies and discoloration of the skin.
Things to do to restore skin glow and reduce dark spots:
Use of sunscreen: Apply sunscreen above SPF 30 every day when going out. This prevents the development of spots due to sun rays.
Healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables containing vitamins C, E, and A. This will help regenerate skin cells. Drinking plenty of water will help flush out toxins from the body and make your skin glow.
Sleep: Getting 7-8 hours of good sleep every day will help maintain hormonal balance and keep your skin healthy.
Be careful when using creams: Do not use creams with bleaching agents or steroid-containing creams without a doctor’s advice. This can further damage your skin.
