Dark Spots on Face

How to Deal With Blemishes: Tips for African American Women

Black women the world over know about dark spots, skin discoloration and uneven skin tones – these are skin issues most are familiar with. Like most women, African American women hate these dark spots, which are also called hyperpigmentation. While dark spots can appear anywhere on the body, dark spots on face are generally the greatest cause of embarrassment. Unfortunately this is something many black women face, but understanding the causes and learning how to eliminate them can help.

Causes of Dark Spots among Black Women

There are many factors that contribute to the appearance of dark spots on the faces of women of African descent. When skin is irritated it produces excess melanin at the area of irritation. It is this excess melanin that shows itself as dark spots and discoloration. Some of the main causes of dark spots on the face, especially for African American women are:

• Acne: this skin condition affects women of all ages and frequently leaves dark spots behind.
• Allergic reaction to cosmetics, food etc
• Hormonal issues
• Insect bites
• Cuts and bruises

How to Minimize Appearance of Dark Spots

There are many ways that African American women can try to deal with dark spots on their faces. The best way is to use products made specifically for that purpose. Some companies that make products for black skin that can work for spots include:

• AMBI
• Black Opal

In your quest to deal with dark spots these tips will come in handy:

• Look for products that contain hydroquinone, benzoyl peroxide, kolic acid, hydroxyl acids, and glycolic acids. These ingredients have been proven to help discoloration to fade. Ideally, a dermatologist is the best choice for help in dealing with dark spots on face.

• Products containing hydroxyl acid helps old skin to shed resulting in quicker turn-over of new skin cells. New skin cells would be lighter thus minimizing the look of darker areas.

• Sunlight can and does contribute to dark spots, so using a good sunscreen is always recommended. Even for black women, a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher is recommended. The sun is not a friend of dark spots, so protecting the skin against being burnt is always important.

• Other treatment for dark spots and blemishes on the face of women of color include microdermabrasion or other forms of chemical facial peels. These procedures remove old skin that is on the surface of the face leaving behind fresh new skin.

• Do not pick at scars left by acne or blemishes as this will only make dark spots worse.

• Quick fixes include using makeup to conceal the spots, but this should not become the solution of choice. In fact, using too much makeup or worse yet, not removing it properly can aggravate the condition.

With a little work most African American women will find that preventing or minimizing the appearance of dark spots on face is possible. Knowledge is power, and as such African American women who want to prevent or treat dark spots should get as much information as possible to help them deal with this problem. The information provided above is a start.

Thank you to Jessica McCurdy Crooks for this "Black Spots on Face" article.

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