It is alarming to see dark spots appearing on your skin and affecting your looks. It is perfectly possible for this skin problem to be treated effectively, but in order for this to happen its causes have to be identified first. Discover the most common causes of dark spots to ensure that you will get clearer and even more beautiful skin.
Sun Exposure
This is the most common reason why dark spots appear on the skin. The UV light of the sun causes damage to the cells in the upper layers of the epidermis. Usually, this damage occurs due to long unprotected exposure to the sun. The cell damage manifests itself in the form hyperpigmentation. The spots usually come in different shades of brown and sometimes gray.
There are three main types of dark spots caused by UV damage. The Melasma spots are typically big and connected to each other to form clusters. They typically appear on the face. They are most common in young people and young women, in particular.
Ephelides, which are informally known as freckles, are perhaps the most common of all dark skin spots. They are small, but typically cover fairly big areas of the skin. Their color ranges from red to brown. They can appear at any age including early childhood. They most often occur on the face and the upper part of the body. The cheeks and arms usually have the most freckles.
The so called age spots which tend to appear on the skin when people get older are called solar lentigines. They are caused by long-term exposure to the sun and are extremely common. Their color typically ranges from light to dark brown. They can have different sizes. Many small spots can form a cluster or there may be several bigger ones fairly close to each other. They appear on the parts of the skin which get the most sunlight such as the forehead, temples, chest, arms and hands.
Hormonal Changes
Changes to the hormonal balance, especially in women, can lead to the appearance of dark spots on the skin. Most often, these occur during pregnancy. They can also be caused by the intake of birth control pills and medications which trigger hormonal changes. The spots usually go away naturally after the hormonal balance in the body is restored.
Medical Conditions
Skin disorders, liver disease and some hormonal disorders such as Addison’s disease can also cause dark spots. When they are properly treated, the skin will get improvement as well. It is also worth noting that it is common for hyperpigmentation to occur after skin trauma which has caused inflammation. Dark spots can appear on the place of healed acne pimples, for instance. The risk of this is lower if the condition has been treated properly.
Finally, you should know that it is fairly uncommon for melanoma, which is the most dangerous skin cancer, to be confused with dark skin spots. Still, it is always best to have such spots checked by a dermatologist who will recommend the most appropriate treatment given the cause of the problem and other factors such as age and overall health.
Clinical studies have proven that the foods which we eat have a major impact on skin health and looks. It is true that there are other factors which play a role including environmental factors, hormones and genetics. Still, these are much more difficult to control than your diet. You decide what to eat and what to avoid. When you stay away from the foods which are bad for your skin, you will see considerable improvement in its condition. Find out what these are.
Foods with Simple Carbs
The simple carbohydrates and sugar, in particular, are bad for the skin. This is because the higher level of glucose in the blood has an averse impact on collagen and elastin. These proteins are essential for keeping the skin elastic and firm. When they are not in sufficiently high levels, sagginess, fine lines and wrinkles appear.
Given all this, it is important to stay away from all foods which are rich in simple carbs from rice and potatoes to white bread. The sugary foods undoubtedly present the most serious threat to healthy looking skin. You should try to avoid not only candy, cakes and chocolate, but all foods and drinks which claim to be healthy but actually contain sugar. These include processed juices, sweetened smoothies and grain bars.
Foods with Fat, Additives and Preservatives
The foods which are rich in fat and contain considerable amounts of additives and preservatives can have a major negative impact on skin health. These compounds can seriously mess with hormone production in the body, especially when they are accumulated in large amounts. In this way, they can boost the production of oil in the skin and lead to a wide variety of problems. These include all forms of acne from blackheads and whiteheads to cysts. The cysts are particularly serious. They can remain on the face for weeks and be quite painful.
You are most certainly familiar with the foods which contain additives and preservatives. These include all processed foods from potato chips to salami and chocolate bars. You should avoid processed drinks from juices to soda as well. The fat-rich foods that you need to stay away from include red meat and all fried dishes from French fries to chicken wings.
Milk and Margarine
Due to the fact that it is rich in hormones, milk can cause skin inflammation and stimulate the production of excess oil. That is why you should reduce its consumption. Still, you can have small amounts of low-fat dairy products which are rich in probiotics. The good bacteria actually help to improve the condition of the skin.
The fat in margarine is not healthy. In fact, it may speed up the process of aging and contribute to the wrinkling of the face. You should try to reduce the consumption of this product as much as possible in order to keep your skin soft, smooth and plump.
The foods which you should include in your diet to improve skin health are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fish. The first two categories are extremely important for getting the best results.
It is perfectly possible to get the high-profile nail care that you require at home. There is a natural home remedy to deal with any problem that you experience from discoloration to brittleness. The treatments can also help to prevent such issues. Check out the most potent homemade nail care remedies. Some of them can be used directly while the others are extremely easy and quick to make.
Olive Oil
This is the best natural moisturizer for nails and the thicker skin around them. You need to get a small amount of the lightest olive oil that you can find. Before you go to bed, you need to massage it into each nail including the cuticle and the skin area surrounding the nail. Since the nails will be slightly oily after the treatment, it is best to put sleeping gloves on for maximum comfort and peace of mind. The gloves will help for the better absorption of the moisturizer as well. On the next morning, you will have stronger nails with beautiful natural glow. Use this moisturizing treatment once a week.
Rosewater
Whether you prepare it at home or buy it from an organic shop, you will find this home remedy ideal for softening the cuticles and the skin around the nails. It will also help them keep their natural shine and pink color. Just dip your fingers in a bowl of rose oil before cutting and shaping your nails and you will feel its remedial effect almost instantly. Keep your fingers soaked for five minutes in order to enjoy the best results.
Almond Oil
This is one of the best natural sources of biotin, also known as vitamin H. This vitamin has been proven to strengthen the nails and hair. It helps to prevent and treat brittleness. You can massage your nails with almond oil once a week and let it stay overnight by wearing gloves. Additionally, you can increase your consumption of almonds. They have a variety of other health benefits while being a great snack.
Lemon Juice
This fantastic natural remedy helps to remove all kinds of stains from nails while giving them a natural shine. If you have strong nails, you can apply a little bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice directly to them with a cotton pad. If there is a need for protecting and nourishing your nails as well, you should mix equal amounts of lemon juice and olive oil and bring the mixture to boil. Let it cool and soak your fingers in it for ten minutes. Dry them afterwards. In either variant, lemon juice should be used weekly for best results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This nail care remedy is amazingly potent while being found in practically every home. You can buy it cheaply in any supermarket. It is rich in a variety of compounds which are good for the nails. The list includes biotin, vitamin C and iron. Just by soaking your nails in apple cider vinegar for about five to ten minutes, you can make them stronger. You will no longer have to worry about brittleness. This remedy helps to restore the natural color and shine of nails too. It is truly invaluable.
Horsetail Tea
This natural remedy is rich in various vitamins and minerals which help to strengthen nails including calcium. You can readily put one spoon of dried horsetail into one cup of water that you have just boiled and steep for seven minutes. You can soak your fingernails into the tea after it cools down to room temperature or drink it. In both cases, you will enjoy a beneficial effect. By drinking the tea, however, you may get other health benefits from it too.
Baking Soda
If you have left your nail polish on for a long time, it might have caused yellow stains on the surface of your nails. Gladly, these are easily removed with baking soda. Mix it with a little bit of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the yellow spots and leave it there for ten minutes. Do not rub the paste into the spots. Wash it off in the end. Use this treatment again if necessary.
Nourishing Salt Bath
Add a sufficient amount of warm water for soaking your fingernails in a bowl. Then add a teaspoon of Dead Sea salt. This particular salt contains zinc, calcium and other minerals which help to strengthen the nails. You should also add a few drops of vitamin E oil which is also quite nourishing. Soak your fingers for fifteen minutes for getting the strength, smoothness and shine which you have always wanted. If you want to turn this treatment into true spa pampering, you can add a drop or two of aromatherapy essential oil. Lavender brings relaxation while rosemary is invigorating.
Tea Tree Oil
If you want effective anti-fungal meditation, this one is the top choice. Tea tree oil fights nail fungus helping you to achieve the strength and beauty that you have always desired. For best results, it should be applied twice a day. Use it in the morning and then in the evening. Make sure that it stays on your nails for half an hour. Then remove any remaining oil using soft dry cloth. Before you use this remedy, you should consult your doctor just to be on the safe side.
Tomato Juice
This is juice has all the right vitamins for your fingernails. It is rich in vitamin C, which is essential for the shine of the nails. Vitamin A helps to make them stronger and more resistant to breaking. Vitamin E and biotin have similar effects. All of these vitamins are great for your whole body as well as for your nails. That is why you will benefit from drinking a glass of tomato juice every day. Just make sure that it is not sweetened to avoid adding too many extra calories to your daily intake.
As long as you follow the recommendations for preparing and using these home remedies, you will get the best results in the shortest time.