Do your legs have dark spots? you need not panic! Hyperpigmentation on legs is common, and generally easy to treat. When a patch of skin develops or contains more melanin than the surrounding skin, this occurs.
Spots or areas that seem darker than the surrounding skin are referred to as hyperpigmentation . They can appear anywhere on the body, but the most common locations are the face, arms, hands, and legs. There are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) and professional treatments available to effectively reduce the appearance of black spots on the legs. Home cures can also have some advantages in specific circumstances.
Causes of dark spots on legs
- Post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Dark areas that develop as a result of inflammation are known as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation on legs . While the exact origin is uncertain, there is a recognised correlation between the healing and inflammatory responses of the body and the creation of melanin.
Acne is a common cause of inflammation, but it can also be caused by skin injuries, when the body responds by flooding the wounded area with white blood cells. Cuts and scrapes, as well as irritation from razor burn, are particularly common on the legs.
Sun exposure is one of the most common and well-known causes of age spots, which emerge after many years of exposure. The formation of melanin is triggered by sunlight as a protective precaution, resulting in hyperpigmentation of the legs.
Melanin protects the skin from the sun by absorbing and neutralizing ultraviolet (UV) rays in higher concentrations. Melanin also acts as an antioxidant, preventing free radical damage to the skin.
This disease can lead to pigmentation on legs. For patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, insulin production is always an issue. Insulin builds up in the bloodstream when the body fails to utilize it, resulting in a black patch on the skin.
This disease is uncommon, but it causes hyperpigmentation on legs and sun-exposed skin and areas of the body that are subjected to the most stress, such as the knees. It causes your knees to darken.
This is a form of skin cancer that appears as black spots, including pigmentation on the legs and faces of both women and men.
Treatment options to get rid of dark spots on legs
Over-the-counter treatments
Many over-the-counter products promise to lighten skin, but there is little data to back this up. They’re recognised for their ability to lower PIH, treat acne, and fight inflammation and reduce pigmentation on legs. Some are more effective than others, so you may need to experiment with a couple to determine what works best for you. Niacinamide, vitamin C, kojic acid, and arbutin are among examples.
Peels with chemicals
Chemical peels remove the top layers of skin, allowing new, healthier, and more evenly coloured skin to emerge thus helping to remove dark spots on legs. However, if the improper type of peel is employed, hyperpigmentation on legs can be exacerbated. During the first few days or weeks after a peel, your skin may be more prone to UV damage and inflammation.
Medications with a prescription
If over-the-counter bleaching creams don’t work, your doctor can prescribe harsher bleaching creams with a higher concentration of hydroquinone, a skin lightening ingredient. These can be used with retinoids prescribed by a doctor and moderate steroids to remove dark spots on legs.
The dark patches may diminish over the course of a few months to a year with these prescription therapies.
However, hydroquinone should not be used without a break for more than a few months at a time, as this can cause darkening.
In Office Treatments
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses liquid nitrogen to kill skin pigment cells. The patches on your skin may lighten as your skin recovers. Only a skilled dermatologist should do cryotherapy. This technique will aid to remove dark spots on legs.
Laser Therapy
The laser treatment can be used alone or in conjunction with topical skin whitening. The way the laser works is determined by the type of laser employed and the source of your hyperpigmentation.
Targeted beams of light are used in one method to remove layers of skin. Another method focuses on the dermis to encourage collagen development and skin tightening.
If you have darker skin, laser treatments may not be a viable option since you may heal with pigmentation on legs that is darker than it was before. Only a licensed physician should administer laser treatments.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion removes the top layer of skin, similar to chemical peels, to reveal a more even toned layer beneath. Microdermabrasion, on the other hand, primarily works on the top of the skin and cannot effectively treat deeper pigmented skin deposits.
Skin ingredients to use for dark spots on legs
Hydroquinone cream is the gold standard for removing dark spots on legs since it works by inhibiting the production of melanin. It’s one of the most well-researched lightening agents, and when applied correctly, it can effectively cure dark spots on the skin while also maintaining a consistent skin tone.
Retinol is another acne and PIH treatment that works to reduce and remove all types of dark spots caused by hyperactive melanocytes.
Retinol is particularly efficient since it suppresses the development of melanin while also stimulating cell turnover, allowing dark spots to fade more quickly. However, if the improper type of peel is employed, hyperpigmentation on legs can increase. During the summer, peels might make your skin more susceptible to sun damage and inflammation.
Prevention tips for dark spots on legs
- Prevent excessive sun exposure by applying sunscreen before going outside.
- To avoid black patches on your legs, avoid scratching moles, cuts, or any other type of inflammation. This can interfere with your body’s normal healing process and lead to complications.
- To keep your skin hydrated and retain its natural barrier, moisturize it at least twice a day.
- Avoid using too many chemical-based skin creams that could create undesired pigmentation adverse effects.
- To maintain your skin healthy and clean, exfoliate once a week with a light scrub.
Risk factors for dark spots on legs
Various things can trigger dark spots on legs that might be personally irritating to you. Here’s a list of risk factors that can potentially cause dark spots on legs :
- Sun damage
- scratches and cuts
- skin injury
- razor burn from shaving
Deconstruct's range of products for dark spots on legs
Brightening Serum: Niacinamide and Alpha Arbutin form a unique combination that enhances skin texture, evens out skin tone, and combats hyperpigmentation, tanning, and freckles.
Clearing Serum :Niacinamide and Alpha Arbutin are a unique and rare combination that works by fighting the development of melanin and successfully helps to eliminate spots, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation.
Conclusion
Dark spots can appear on the body at any time. The legs are particularly sensitive when exposed to the sun on a daily basis, as well as as a result of PIH caused by cuts, scrapes, and razor burn.
To cure hyperpigmentation on legs, use over-the-counter and prescription lotions that suppress melanin synthesis and stimulate cell turnover, such as hydroquinone and retinol. All year long, use sunscreen to prevent further darkening and extra dark patches.
FAQs
- When should you see a doctor about your pigmentation on legs?
If over-the-counter treatments don’t work, you should contact a doctor or dermatologist. If your black spots are giving you pain or irritation, or if you observe a dramatic change in size, texture, or color, you should consult a doctor.
- What home remedies does he recommend for treating black patches on the legs?
Aloe vera gels and creams can help soothe burnt, dry skin. You can apply aloe vera gel straight to your skin by opening the leaf of an aloe vera plant. Alternatively, aloe-based lotions and gels are available.
- Which vitamin can help you get rid of black spots?
Vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E are the three primary vitamins that are indicated to help with dark patches or any hyperpigmentation of the skin.
