Dark skin is caused by melanin, a pigment that gives the skin its color. Melanin production depends on the number of factors, including genetics, sun exposure, and hormones.
Key highlights
• Dark skin is caused by melanin, a pigment that gives the skin its colour.
• There are a number of reasons why your skin may be getting darker, including sun exposure, hormones, medications, and medical conditions.
• To stop your skin from darkening, protect it from the sun, avoid sunbeds, use topical skin-lightening products, and see a dermatologist if you are concerned.
• You can also exfoliate regularly, moisturise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep to help keep your skin healthy and light.
In this article, you will learn about the causes of dark skin on different parts of your body and treatment.
Causes of dark skin on specific areas of the body
| Body Part | Causes of dark skin |
| Face | Dark skin on the face can be caused by sun exposure, acne, hyperpigmentation, and melasma, a skin condition that causes dark patches to form on the face. |
| Neck | Dark skin on the neck can be caused by sun exposure, friction from clothing, and acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition that causes dark, velvety patches to form on the neck, armpits, and groin area. |
| Lower legs | Dark skin on the lower legs can be caused by a number of factors, including poor circulation, sun exposure, and varicose veins. |
| Around the mouth | Dark skin around the mouth can be caused by sun exposure, smoking, and hyperpigmentation. |
| Under eyes | Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by fatigue, dehydration, allergies, and genetics. |
| Elbows | Dark elbows are a common problem, especially in women. They can be caused by dryness, friction, and sun exposure. |
| Groin area | Dark skin in the groin area can be caused by friction from clothing, sun exposure, and acanthosis nigricans. |
| Underarms | Dark underarms can be caused by friction from clothing, shaving, and sun exposure. |
| Above upper lips | Dark skin above the upper lips can be caused by sun exposure, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. |
| Around ankles | Dark skin around the ankles can be caused by poor circulation, sun exposure, and eczema. |
| Under breasts | Dark skin under the breasts can be caused by friction from clothing, sweat, and intertrigo, a skin condition that causes a rash in skin folds. |
| Buttocks | Dark skin on the buttocks can be caused by friction from clothing, sweat, and intertrigo. |
What is the main reason for the skin getting darker?
The reason for skin getting darker is usually due to an increase in melanin production. Melanin is a pigment responsible for colour of your skin, hair, and eyes.
Melanin production depends upon a number of factors, including genetics, sun exposure, and hormones.
Other causes of dark skin include
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): PIH is a common condition that causes dark patches to form on the skin after an injury or inflammation, such as acne or eczema. PIH usually fades over time, but it can sometimes take several months or years for the skin to completely return to its normal colour.
• Acanthosis nigricans: Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that causes dark, velvety patches to form on the neck, armpits, and groyne area. Acanthosis nigricans can be caused by insulin resistance, obesity, and certain medical conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome.
• Vitiligo: Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigmentation. Vitiligo can be caused by an autoimmune disorder or other medical conditions.
How to stop your skin from darkening?
There are a number of things you can do to stop your skin from darkening, including:
Exfoliate regularly:
Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which can reveal the brighter, lighter skin underneath. You can exfoliate using a physical exfoliant, such as a scrub or brush, or a chemical exfoliant, such as an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) product.
Moisturise regularly:
Moisturising helps to keep the skin hydrated and plump, which can make it appear lighter. Choose a moisturiser that is non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog your pores.
Eat a healthy diet:
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains or a healthy diet can help to improve your overall skin health. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive caffeine and alcohol, as these can all contribute to dark skin.
Get enough sleep:
When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can trigger an increase in melanin production, which can make your skin appear darker. Sleep for 7-8 hours every night.
Protect your skin from the sun:
Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you are swimming or sweating.
Avoid sunbeds:
Sunbeds emit UV rays that can damage your skin and cause it to darken.
Use topical skin-lightening products:
There are a number of topical skin-lightening products available over the counter and by prescription. They work by reducing melanin production.
See a dermatologist:
If you are concerned about your skin getting darker, see a dermatologist. They can help you determine the cause of the problem and recommend the best treatment options.
Does Borewell water make skin darker?
There is no evidence that borewell water makes skin darker. However, borewell water may contain impurities that can irritate the skin and cause it to darken. If you are concerned about the quality of your borewell water, you can have it tested by a professional.
Why is my skin getting darker in winter?
There are a few reasons why your skin may be getting darker in the winter. One of the reasons is the cold weather can dry out your skin, which can also make it appear darker. Finally, the friction from clothing can also cause your skin to darken.
Why My skin is getting darker for no reason?
There are a number of reasons why your skin may be getting darker for no reason. Some possible causes include:
Sun exposure: Sun exposure is the most common cause of dark skin. When your skin is exposed to the sun, it produces more melanin to protect itself from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Hormones: Hormones can also play a role in skin pigmentation. For example, pregnant women may experience dark skin patches on their face and neck.
Medications: Certain medications, such as birth control pills and some antidepressants, can also cause dark skin.
Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as Addison’s disease and acromegaly, can also cause dark skin.
Causes of dark skin during pregnancy
Many pregnant women experience dark skin changes, such as melasma, a condition that causes dark patches to form on the face. These changes are caused by hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Melasma usually fades after childbirth, but it can sometimes persist.
Treatment for dark skin
Treatment for dark skin will depend on the underlying cause. In some cases, dark skin will fade on its own over time. In other cases, treatment may be necessary to lighten the skin or reduce the appearance of dark patches.
Common treatments for dark skin include:
| Topical skin lightening products: Topical skin lightening products work by reducing melanin production. These are over-the-counter and prescription-based. |
| Chemical peels: Chemical peels use acids to remove dead skin cells and reveal the brighter, lighter skin underneath. |
| Laser therapy: Laser therapy can be used to lighten dark skin and reduce the appearance of dark patches. |
What are some tips for caring for dark skin?
Here are some tips for caring for dark skin:
- Use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser.
- Exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells and reveal the brighter, lighter skin underneath.
- Protect your skin from the sun every day.
- Use topical skin-lightening products to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Quick tips
• Even in cloudy weather, apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Reuse sunscreen in every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming or perspiring.
• Avoid sunbeds.
• Use frequent exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells.
• Moisturise regularly to keep your skin hydrated and plump.
• Eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Get enough sleep.
If you are concerned about dark skin, see a dermatologist. They can help you determine the cause of the problem and recommend the best treatment options.
Common causes of skin discolouration by Doctor
FAQ’s about dark skin
Q: What is the difference between dark skin and hyperpigmentation?
A: Dark skin is a natural skin color that is caused by melanin production. Hyperpigmentation is a condition that causes the skin to produce more melanin than usual, resulting in darker patches or areas of skin.
Q: What causes hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation can be caused by a number of factors, including sun exposure, hormones, medications, medical conditions, and inflammation.
Q: How can I prevent hyperpigmentation?
The easiest way to prevent hyperpigmentation is to use sun protection on your skin. Even on cloudy days, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen after every two hours or more frequently if you are swimming or perspiring.
You can also help prevent hyperpigmentation by avoiding sunbeds and using topical skin-lightening products.
Q: How can I treat hyperpigmentation?
There are a number of ways to treat hyperpigmentation, including topical skin-lightening products, chemical peels, and laser therapy. The best treatment for you will depend on the severity of your hyperpigmentation and the underlying cause.
Q: Is dark skin more susceptible to sun damage?
A: All skin types are susceptible to sun damage, but dark skin may be more likely to experience hyperpigmentation after sun exposure.
Conclusion
If you are concerned about dark skin, see a dermatologist. They can help you determine the cause of the problem and recommend the best treatment options.
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Also read:
Does oily skin make people look darker?
Resources:
- Melasma. (n.d.).
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview - Passeron T, et al. (2017). Melasma, a photoaging disorder.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pcmr.12684 - Alexis AF, et al. (2013). Natural ingredients for darker skin types: Growing options for hyperpigmentation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24002160
