5 STEPS TO NATURALLY LIGHTEN DARK MARKS

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I have a hard  intolerable time when dealing with darken pigmentation or plain ole dark marks.  For years I can remember buying every skin cream on the market claiming to give you flawless, even toned, youthful skin.  I could probably fund a trip around the world.... Ok I am exaggerating, not the world but definitely around the Midwest with amount of money I spent on fade creams, skin lighteners, etc.   During the summer, my mind set is easy, minimal, and simple.  Nothing worst then feeling "FIERCE" and your makeup running down your face.  I personally do not wear a lot of makeup when the temp is blazing outside because my skin eventually starts looking  like I run the Popeye's deep fryer.  So I told myself years ago to eliminate having another greasy hiccup I will try everything in my power to keep my skin even toned and free of marks.  Dark spots appear on the skin when the amount of melanin in the skin has decreased.  The spots can be diminished by avoiding ultraviolet rays, using natural ingredients, and cleaning the area correctly.  

Here are some of my effective tips.  To yield maximum benefits, you must apply on skin twice a day. Once in the morning after shower and once at night before going to bed.  When you try a natural remedy to lighten dark patches of skin, give it at least 30 days to work. 

MY STEPS TO LIGHTEN DARK MARKS

EXFOLIATE

1.  Exfoliation is 1st step to diminishing dark spots.  Buy a mild scrubber when you are taking a bath or shower make gentle circular motions (scrubbing to hard will create a bigger scar making the spot darker, trust me learn from my mistake).  The scrubbing motion removes the lop layer of your skin, which is filled with the most amount of melanin that makes your spots look darker.  Exfoliate several times a week to remove any new dead skin build up.

LEMON JUICE

2.  Lemon Juice is a really effective way to lighten dark marks.  Lemon juice is strongly acidic and has been a remedy for bleaching dark spots for generations.  To achieve optima results, apply fresh lemon juice 2 x day using a cotton ball or I like to use quit tip on the effected area. You might feel a little tingling sensation but it eventually goes away.   To enhance the effect, add another natural spot treatment like fresh grated horseradish, honey or vinegar.  VERY IMPORTANT not to expose the area to the sun.  The reaction between the juice and sunlight will cause the skin to darken. 

  ALOE VERA GEL

3.  Aloe Vera gel is another effective  natural remedy for fading dark marks and age spots.  Reduces the appearance on dark spots and gentle enough for all skin types.  Aloe contains a concentrated mix of compounds that nourish skin and promote cellular regeneration.   Some times I will alternate between lemons juice and aloe Vera gel as lighten agent. 

PURE VITAMIN E OIL

4.  A major benefit of vitamin E oil for the skin is that it helps the healing process.  It acts as an antioxidant and prevents the formation of free radicals on the skin cells. Vitamin E oil prevents and repairs free radical damage. When applied topically to brown spots on the skin, it helps to lighten and smooth the rough skin by lubricating cell membranes and encouraging cell regeneration. Apply to the effected area 2 x day after you have applied lemon juice/aloe vera gel. 

SUNBLOCK

5.  Avoid direct sunlight at all times.  Ultraviolet rays are one of the most harmful when expose on our skin.  When the body overproduces the pigment melanin, areas of your skin may become darker when expose to the sun.  Dark spot become darker with long periods of sun exposure because the collagen and elastin in the skin has broken down.  Apply sunblock daily but when you have discolorations or dark spots, look for a sunscreen with an SPF 30. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure, taking care to apply it generously on all exposed parts of the body.  I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sun Block Fluid SPF 55, $13.99.

MY REGIMEN AS FOLLOWS IN THIS ORDER: 

EXFOLIATE * FADE WITH FRESH LEMON JUICE/ OR ALOE VERA GEL * HEAL WITH PURE VITAMIN E OIL * PROTECT WITH SUNBLOCK

LIGHTENING MASK

Mix together:

2 teaspoons of plain yogurt
1 teaspoon of honey
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1-2 teaspoons of cooked oatmeal. 

* Take the mixture and evenly spread the mask over your face each night for about 10 to 15 mins, then wash off with warm/cool water.  The mask is also moisturizing for anyone with dry skin and you can also add papaya  for another added moisturizing benefit. Occasionally I will apply this mask to speed up the process.

Majority of the time dark marks are the result of or bumps or acne .  Here is an interesting article about the direct correlation between the foods we consume and our skin>>>> Can Your Diet Affect Your Skin?

PRESERVE YOU, PEACE & BLESSINGS.