Removing Dark Spots on African American Face
African American skin that is acne prone or sensitive is typically blemished by areas of hyper-pigmentation. These darker areas of skin are the the remnants of rashes and bumps or the result of injury to the surface of the skin caused by squeezing old pimples. Men that exhibit clogged hair follicles from beard shaving, otherwise known as"razor bumps," can also develop dark spots as a result.
Step 1
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and gently pat dry.
Step 2
Steep green tea bag in warm water and add lemon juice. Soak a cotton-ball or swab in solution and dab onto spots directly. Let air dry. Lemon juice contains ascorbic acid, otherwise known as Vitamin C, which is an alpha hydroxy acid. The acid will gently exfoliate the dark skin and the area will lighten over time. Green tea has been shown to provide anti-oxidant and anti-hyper-pigmentation power when applied topically.
Step 3
Rinse face with lukewarm water and add aloe vera gel to affected areas. Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory, which will help to soothe the effects of the acid. Aloe vera also helps to lighten hyperpigmentation, reports the experts at SkinWhitening.org
Step 4
Moisturize face with sunscreen. Always use sunscreen daily to prevent the areas you are treating from getting darker.
Step 5
Cleanse face thoroughly at night time.
Step 6
Combine soy and whole milk and soak a cotton ball in mixture. Apply liquid to spots and entire face. Let air dry for 10 to 15 minutes. Milk contains lactic acid, a natural exfoliant that will gradually lighten dark areas. Soy is an active ingredient that helps to lighten dark areas over time, reports the American Academy of Dermatology.
Step 7
Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize before bed.
Things You'll Need
Gentle cleanser
Cotton balls and swabs
1/2 cup green tea
1 tbsp. lemon juice
3 tbsp. soy milk
3 tbsp. whole milk
Sunscreen
Tip
To prevent irritation, continue with Steps 1 through 7 every other day. You can increase your treatment as your skin begins to adjust.
Lactic acid is best used in conjunction with vitamin C.
