Dark spots can be a bothersome aesthetic problem for our skin, even for those with skin of color! No one is safe from dark spots, but there are ways to handle them and lessen their blow once they’ve made their presence known.

Dark spots may be the result of a variety of skin conditions. These skin conditions could be a number of different things ranging from acne to eczema and more. Your first step is always to treat the underlying skin condition. Acne can be treated with various topical treatments and medications and eczema can be treated in these manners as well. Once you treat the condition that is causing the dark spots to appear, you can prevent more dark spots from being created.

After treating whatever condition has been causing the dark spots, it’s important to prevent new ones from occuring due to factors outside of the original condition. One way to do this is to make sure you are protecting your skin from the sun! I know, it’s summer and everyone wants to enjoy outdoor activities. However, sun damage is one of the biggest ways to get dark spots! You should use a daily sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Not only can sun exposure create new dark spots, it can also darken and worsen the ones you already have. You don’t want to make an existing problem worse by exposing your skin to too much sun.

Another factor when it comes to dark spots is cleansing and exfoliating. You may be tempted to cleanse and scrub vigorously, but don’t! You can’t scrub dark spots away. You can actually worsen the existing spots by causing hyperpigmentation. By using cleansers that are too harsh, you can damage your skin’s moisture barrier and this can create inflammation. Inflammation may be the first step towards hyperpigmentation. So make sure to stay gentle, your skin is your friend!

Lastly, if you have tried all other avenues and see no reduction of dark spots or if you just want a professional opinion, seek the care of a medical professional such as a board-certified dermatologist (like moi!). They can help you in the treatment process and get you on the right path towards more even skin tone. They may also be able to recommend topical leave-on products or cleansers that can help the process more powerfully.

Remember, dark spots can happen to anyone. Black Girl Magic is powerful, but it’s no immunity potion to dark marks! I salute you and to a life with fewer dark marks!!! Remember to always seek out a board-certified dermatologist if you are ever concerned about your skin.

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