Vitamin C promotes skin brightening by reducing the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and hyperpigmentation. As a result, drinking lemon water may help even out skin tone and reveal a brighter complexion over time.
Lemon Juice
It contains vitamin C, citric acid, and acidity that actively help mask hyperpigmentation on your body and face. Lemon juice exfoliates your skin naturally, allows new cells to grow, and lightens the colour of the affected area.
“Treatments containing ingredients like vitamin C, licorice root, and kojic acid help reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the formation of skin-darkening melanin," says Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist in New York City.
How to remove spots from face in 2 days naturally? Apply fresh lemon juice, baking soda paste, or aloe vera gel to the spots 2-3 times a day. The natural bleaching properties can help lighten spots quickly. Stay consistent, and for safety, do the patch test first.
Apply fresh lemon juice to the affected areas with a cotton ball. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. Use cautiously as it may cause irritation. Apple cider vinegar: Acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can lighten pigmentation and improve skin texture.
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, a natural bleaching agent, while honey hydrates and soothes the skin. How to Use: Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply to the affected areas and leave it on for 10–15 minutes.
Lemon has a high acidic content and can be an effective solution to brighten your skin tone, lighten dark spots, treat acne, prevent premature signs of aging, among others. It is an age-old home remedy for different skin concerns. However, lemon may cause side effects like burning sensation, irritation, etc.
The oxidizing process chemically attacks and reduces the melanin (a.k.a. your hair's color pigment). Therefore, the color visibly lightens. Once this happens and the hair is lightened, the results are permanent. Hair will not fade or darken unless it's color treated, or in my case, naturally darker roots grow out.
Upon the completion of my one-week lemon-water challenge, I noticed my skin was almost flawless: no breakouts, no excess oils, no new blemishes. I also found that my skin was much softer to the touch and appeared to be much brighter. Essentially, drinking the lemon juice created a natural highlight on my face.
Vitamin C can help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, with noticeable results in as little as 3-4 weeks. After two months of use, users may experience significant fading of hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C containing gels and face serums can help brighten skin and effectively fade the hyperpigmentation. The gels with high levels of magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, niacinamide, ellagic acid, arbutin, in addition to Vitamin C give even better results if applied regularly and under proper precautions.
Pomegranates are a rich source of polyphenols that help combat free radical damage and lighten dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and dull skin. Pomegranate tea benefits your skin as well, with ample anti-ageing properties and antioxidants.
Does Hyperpigmentation Get Darker Before It Fades? Yes, sometimes, the body speeds up pigment production before the cells break down and fade. But sometimes, the dark spots can also fade without getting darker first.
Brightens complexion: Regular consumption of lemon water can impart a natural glow to your skin. Vitamin C promotes skin brightening by reducing the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
If you are sensitive to tyramine, drinking lemon juice can trigger migraine headaches. Lemons can worsen heartburn symptoms in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In high amounts, lemon juice can also irritate your stomach and cause nausea.
How long does it take to get the results? Results such as improvement in digestion and higher energy levels can be seen within one week of regular consumption of warm lemon water.
Do natural remedies like lemon juice really work? Lemon juice and other natural remedies may help lighten dark spots to some extent, but they are not as effective as medical-grade treatments. Additionally, lemon juice can irritate the skin if used improperly, so it's important to proceed with caution.
Lemon is rich in vitamin C and other vital nutrients. It also contains anti-fungal properties, which reduce dandruff and helps with hair growth.
Uneven Results: Lemon juice may not provide consistent or predictable results for treating dark spots. Factors such as skin type, severity of hyperpigmentation, and individual variations in response can affect the effectiveness of lemon juice in lightening dark spots.
Direct application of lemon juice to your skin can result in skin irritation and even skin burns. The best way to use lemon on your face would be to dilute one part lemon with two parts of water. If you are adding lemon juice to a DIY face mask, make sure you're not adding more than a couple of drops.