Also known as niacinamide, Vitamin B3 is just one of many B-complex vitamins that benefit our body—and B3, in particular, may be especially beneficial for our skin. Research has found that niacinamide can work to diminish the appearance of dark spots.
Vitamins can be used to lighten your skin and lighten dark spots. Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin.
It is a brown pigment that generally increases with age, and its formation is increased by consumption of unsaturated fats, by vitamin E deficiency, by stress, and by exposure to excess estrogen."
Laser treatment (procedure): One or two laser treatments can treat age spots quickly, and you'll likely have longer-lasting results than with a cream that can fade age spots. Lasers can also cause some side effects, such as crusting or temporary darkening of age spots, which you won't get with creams.
Milk, yogurt and buttermilk all contain high amounts of lactic acid, which can exfoliate and lighten the skin. Their vitamin D, vitamin B12 and lactic acid can remove the dead skin cells and lighten pigmentation.
Hydroquinone is used to lighten the dark patches of skin (also called hyperpigmentation, melasma, "liver spots," "age spots," freckles) caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin.
Vitamin C is great for fighting free radicals and can also help to brighten the appearance of dark spots. Apply in the form of a serum, dark spot corrector or cream to areas with hyperpigmentation. It should help brighten the appearance of dark spots over time.
Might Lighten Dark Spots
Vitamin C-based skin care products may lighten patches that are darker than the rest of your skin, called hyperpigmentation. In one study, vitamin C applied to the skin for 16 weeks significantly cut down on these spots.
Age spots are a result of the body producing excess melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, the body produces extra melanin to protect the skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. The more melanin produced, the darker the skin becomes.
Extra melanin creates spots or patches that look brown, black, gray, red or pink. The areas are not painful or itchy, but they can make people self-conscious. Several lifestyle changes and treatments can help, especially sun protection and skin care.
Apple cider vinegar contains natural alpha hydroxy acids, which are known to help lighten sun and age spots. Mix equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl. Stir well and apply on the dark spots. Rinse with lukewarm water and finish off with your favourite moisturiser.
Glycolic acid
Pierre recommends for dark spots is glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps dissolve and shed the "glue" between dead, discolored skin cells, leaving you with a clearer, brighter, all-around glowier face.
Azelaic acid is the gold standard when it comes to fighting acne. It's antibacterial to subside current breakouts and has anti-inflammatory properties to calm inflammation, redness and rosacea. It's also a proven skin brightener that fades hyperpigmentation—perfect for post-acne dark spots.
Combine 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of milk in a glass bowl. Dip cotton pad or Q-tip in the bowl and apply to dark spots. Leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and finish off with your favorite serum and moisturizer.
"ACV contains malic acid, which decreases melanin production to help lighten brown spots and hyperpigmentation," says Gabriel. "And citric acid, which increases skin cell turnover, has been shown to decrease age spots."
Niacinamide. Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, helps reduce the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to surrounding keratinocytes, which can reduce the appearance of uneven pigmentation and dark spots.
Take one part of apple cider vinegar and one part of onion juice and mix them. Dab a cotton pad into the solution and apply it directly onto the age spots. Leave this on the skin for a minimum of 30 minutes. Repeat this once a day for approximately six weeks, and you should begin to notice a gradual improvement.
Lemon juice can help fade away dark spots and scars
Applied topically, lemon juice will work to gradually reduce the appearance of blemishes and acne scars. With a cotton pad, wipe fresh lemon juice onto any healed scars or dark patches. Rinse off with lukewarm water after five minutes and pat dry.
If you want to reduce the appearance of dark spots there are three types of food to steer clear of: sugary foods, fried foods, and foods that contain a lot of soy.