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People with black skin can be prone to dark spots. This hyperpigmentation is often due to sun exposure, trauma, or inflammation. Treatments will depend on the underlying cause.

In this article, we look at home remedies and medical treatments for dark spots on black skin. We also look at methods of prevention.

Man with dark or black skin and acne pimplesShare on Pinterest
Acne can cause dark spots and scarring.

Dark spots may occur on black skin when the skin overproduces melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives skin its color.

Factors that can trigger excess melanin production include sun exposure and hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy.

Dark spots can also occur as a result of inflammation or trauma to the skin, such as from:

Even everyday skin care practices can contribute to the development of dark spots. Using harsh scrubs, waxing, and shaving can all cause minor skin trauma that leads to skin changes.

The treatment that a person requires will depend on their skin type and the severity of the discoloration. Dark spots are not usually harmful, so it may not be necessary to seek treatment unless a person finds them bothersome.

Treatments include:

The “wait and see” approach

In some cases, no treatment may be the best option, as the spots could go away over time.

For example, this may be the case for some types of hyperpigmentation that occur during pregnancy or those that appear after an acne pimple goes away.

In the meantime, the use of sun protection can help prevent the spots from getting darker.

Removal of the cause

If the discoloration is the result of a skin care product or certain medications, then stopping the use of these products may prevent the formation of new dark spots.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), once a person removes the cause of the spots, any existing ones will typically fade within 6 to 12 months. However, daily sunscreen use is important to help the area fade and prevent the sun from darkening it.

Darker spots may take years to fade, however. In these situations, medical treatments or skin lightening products may help.

Treatment of underlying medical conditions

Proper management of existing skin conditions, such as acne or psoriasis, is likely to help stop new spots from appearing.

Any dark spots that are already on the skin due to these conditions may then fade away over time.

Sunscreen

Adequate sun protection is advisable for everyone, regardless of skin type or color, yet research suggests that sunscreen use is especially low among non-Hispanic black people.

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are responsible for most dark skin spots. The UV rays trigger excess melanin production, causing new areas of hyperpigmentation and darkening existing areas.

The AAD recommend everyone to use sunscreen that:

  • has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
  • protects against UVA and UVB rays (manufacturers may label it as broad spectrum)
  • is water resistant

People should apply it to all areas of exposed skin — not just the face — and wear it year-round.

Sunscreen is available in drug stores and online.

Natural remedies

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Applying aloe vera gel to burns may help prevent scarring.
Image credit: Grook Da Oger, 2010.

Some people claim that natural remedies can effectively reduce dark spots on black skin. The most popular remedies include:

However, there is no scientific evidence that these natural treatments lighten areas of hyperpigmentation. Some of them may even cause other skin problems. For example, lemon juice can dry out and irritate the skin.

Overall, however, these natural products are unlikely to cause harm if people use them sparingly.

Skin-lightening products

Several products are available over the counter to treat an uneven skin tone. For the best results, a person should choose a skin lightener that contains one of the following:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. When it comes to skin care, research suggests that it can protect against sun damage, increase collagen levels, and reduce the formation of melanin to stop hyperpigmentation.

However, it is unclear how effective it can be due to the poor ability of current preparations to penetrate the skin.

Vitamin C serums are available in pharmacies and online.

Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a very popular treatment for dark spots. Similar to vitamin C, it works by inhibiting melanin production.

Creams that contain hydroquinone are available with a prescription.

Kojic acid

Kojic acid is another common skin lightener.

However, it may be less effective than other remedies for dark spots. A study on a type of hyperpigmentation called melasma found that 4% hydroquinone cream was a better and faster treatment for hyperpigmentation than 0.75% kojic acid cream.

People can purchase kojic acid solutions online or in some drug stores.

Differin gel

Adapalene 0.1% gel (Differin) is an OTC treatment that is anti-inflammatory and helps stop acne comedones from forming.

Dermatologists may recommend it to even out a person’s skin complexion and lighten dark spots alongside preventing acne breakouts.

Medical treatments

If home remedies do not help get rid of the dark spots, then some people may wish to consider medical treatments.

These may cause adverse reactions, so it is best to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option with a dermatologist before having treatment.

Medical treatments include:

Laser therapy

Laser therapy uses a beam of light to eliminate areas of hyperpigmentation.

Research indicates that laser therapy is effective and gives lasting results. However, it is expensive and requires multiple sessions. It may lighten the skin surrounding the dark spots if the doctor accidentally targets those areas. It might even produce a lighter spot in place of the dark spot.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels exfoliate the skin but go deeper than other processes, such as microdermabrasion. Although they can be effective, strong chemical peels may burn the skin or even produce further pigment changes.

This treatment can be expensive, and a person may require several sessions to achieve noticeable results.

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A dermatologist can offer advice on how to treat hyperpigmentation.
Image credit: Kylie Aquino, 2017.

People should avoid using very harsh treatments on the skin, as these may cause skin damage and serious harm to internal organs.

For example, some online sources recommend using liquid bleach on dark spots. People should never apply this product to the skin, as it can cause painful burns.

Also, it is important to be wary when shopping for skin lighteners and to avoid those that contain mercury, which may appear on ingredient lists as:

  • mercury
  • mercuric
  • calomel
  • cinnabaris
  • hydrargyri oxidum rubrum
  • quicksilver

The World Health Organization (WHO) warn that skin lightening soaps and creams containing mercury could cause:

Eventually, the mercury in cosmetic products also ends up in the water. Here, it makes its way into the food chain, meaning that people can end up eating fish that contains toxic levels of mercury.

It may not be possible to prevent all cases of dark spots on black skin, especially those that occur due to aging and hormonal changes.

However, it is possible to reduce the risk of them developing by:

  • wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day
  • reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours and more frequently after swimming or sweating
  • avoiding direct sunlight between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  • moisturizing the skin daily
  • avoiding using harsh exfoliating products
  • treating acne, psoriasis, and other conditions promptly
  • seeing a doctor if black spots are the result of the birth control pill or other medications

Individuals who find their dark spots bothersome may wish to see a dermatologist, especially if home remedies do not achieve satisfactory results.

Those who have skin conditions that trigger dark spot development should also consider making an appointment with a dermatologist to explore treatment options.

Dark spots are a common problem for those with black skin. They are harmless, but some people may wish to treat them for cosmetic reasons.

Home remedies include addressing the underlying cause and using skin lighteners.

If these do not work, people can discuss the possibility of laser therapy or other treatments with a dermatologist.