Sun and Skin: Why my skin getting dark without sun

Do you know what can groom your personality and boost up your confidence?

Well, it's good looks ,good looks and good looks. Not claiming it’s the only factor ,but it can definitely be a defining factor in leveling up your persona .So, when we see pigmentation on our skin, it not only erodes confidence but may also leave an unattractive impression of us on others. Let's dive in more into why my skin is getting darker without sun. And how can we remove the dark spots on skin?

Understanding Skin Pigmentation

Have you ever looked at your skin and wondered why am I getting tanned despite not going out in the sun ? Well before you make any conclusion about your skin let's navigate through the various interrogatives about the darkening of skin. But before that lets understand what pigmentation is? Well in common parlance, pigmentation refers to coloring of skin.It's determined by the amount and type of melanin, a pigment made by specialized skin cells known as melanocytes. Changes in melanin production can cause pigment disorders, such as hyperpigmentation (dark spots), hypopigmentation (light spots), depigmentation (white spots or patches) . As per general perception , the people believe that the sun causes pigmentation and they do various things to escape from hyperpigmentation or skin darkening. People even start to stop going in the sun in order to protect their skin but when even this doesn't help , they get stuck in the loop of thought that “why is my skin getting darker without sun?”

Well here's the antidote to your racing thoughts, which are not letting you sleep.

Drivers of Skin Darkening

Hyperpigmentation or skin darkening can be caused by a number of factors , out of which melanin is the foremost one. Melanin is a pigment, a biological substance that is responsible for the color of the skin, hair, and eyes in humans and other animals. It is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, which are primarily found in the skin. It protects our skin; however, when excessively produced, it can cause the darkening of skin.

Let's delve deeper ,to get the answer of “Why is my skin getting darker without sun?

• Use of Medication: The excess dose of some medicines like birth control pill, antibiotics, and retinoids can leave huge impact on skin, causing hyperpigmentation or darkening of skin.

• Hormonal Change: Pregnancy change affects the hormonal level influencing the production of melanin in the skin. It can also cause melasma- a common skin problem caused by brown to gray-brown patches on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, chin, nose bridge, forehead, and above the upper lip. It is more common in women than men. Pregnancy is a common cause of melasma. It also affects women taking oral contraceptives and hormones .

• Underlying skin disease: A rare endocrine disease called Addison’s disease can produce hyperpigmentation that mostly occurs in areas of sun exposure, such as the face, neck, and hands, and areas exposed to friction, such as elbows and knees.

• Production of melanin: The melanin is the foremost cause of hyperpigmentation. The skin increases the production of melanin when we are more exposed to sun ,in order to protect itself but this overproduction negatively impacts causing darkening of skin.

• Overuse of skin products: When we start to use so many skincare products ,to reduce the dark spots , the over-usage causes a negative effect on the skin ; by making it darker. This is because many products contain harmful chemicals like retinoids that may cause unpleasant effects on the skin.

• Dietary Habit: Dietary habits can significantly contribute to making the skin darker. The lack of essential vitamins like B12 ,Vitamin D ,Vitamin C,etc. may sometimes lead to hyperpigmentation. Hence , it is important to consume  food that is crucial for healthy skin.

• Other Factors: Aside from these, there could be several other factors like bruises or burns,acne ,genetics,etc that can make our skin darker.

However, these factors can vary from person to person and may sometimes interact with each other to cause skin darkening.

Busting fallacies

There are many myths floating around causing distress in the minds of commoners. Hence, it's important to bust this bubble of myths.

• Myth: Poor hygiene causes darkening of skin
• Fact: The excessive production of melanin causes hyperpigmentation not the poor hygiene. However, skin irritation or inflammation can cause dark spots; hygiene itself does not lead to skin darkening.

• Myth: Only Sun exposure causes hyperpigmentation.
  Fact: The aforesaid statement is incorrect, sun exposure is never the sole reason for hyperpigmentation; medications, genetic issues, skin diseases, etc could also be the reason behind the darkening of skin. However, it's true that exposure to sun can increase melanin production. 

• Myth: Usage of sunscreen can prevent any type of skin darkening
• Fact: The given statement is untrue. The sunscreen does not hinder all kinds of skin darkening; different causes may have different solutions. The sunscreen just protects our skin from UV rays.

• Myth: Only fair skinned people get sunburned or experience skin darkening.
• Fact: Any race can experience skin darkening or sunburn but the magnitude varies from tone to tone. The fair skinned people are more vulnerable to experience skin darkening than the dark-skinned people but that doesn't mean the latter one does not experience tanning  at all. However, the impact might be lesser in the darker skin tones.

• Myth: Skin darkening is permanent and irreversible.
• Fact: The aforesaid statement is not true ;there are some  types of skin darkening, like those caused by acne or minor injuries , which may fade over time with required care, while others, like melasma, may require specific treatment or medical diagnosis.

• Myth: Skin lightening creams can undo your dark skin.
  
• Fact: No cream can undo your dark skin; embrace your skin tone by taking care of it. Follow a consistent skin care routine ,take preventive measures ,eat and drink healthy. Running behind the fair skin will only reduce your self confidence.

• Myth: Drinking lemon juice or using natural home remedies will lighten dark skin.
• Fact: Drinking lemon juice will not lighten our dark skin, though it is a good source of vitamin c but it only has a mild bleaching effect and can also make our skin more sensitive to sunlight. Hence, it is not advisable to depend on these natural remedies if we want best results.

• Myth: Dark skin tones are a sign of aging or illness.
• Fact: There are so many reasons that cause hyperpigmentation; hence, hence ,it is not always a sign of aging or illness. Conditions like melasma or sun exposure may contribute, but they are not necessarily associated with aging or illness.

How do I reduce dark spots?

After, why  is my skin getting darker without the sun? The second most important question that strikes your head is: How can we reduce dark spots ?

Come and navigate through the preventive measures and cures to reduce the dark spots.

• Tropical treatment:  Many over-the-counter (OTC) products can help fade dark spots. They will typically contain active ingredients such as:

• Kojic acid
• Retinoids
• Chemical exfoliants
• Vitamin C
• Azelaic acid

These products will have instructions on how to use them on the label. However, it is best to speak with a dermatologist before trying them, as some have risks.

• Sun Protection: Sunscreen is a must have product in your bag ; remember it's not a makeup it's a  skincare product that all of us  should be using daily as the Sun exposure can  worsen our  dark spots, but if we apply a broad-layer of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning, even on cloudy days, it can be a huge help in  preventing further pigmentation.

• Skin Hydration: Hydrated skin is the happier skin. Our skin also needs hydration just like any other organs. Keeping your skin hydrated is one of the secrets of healthier skin. That's why , it's crucial to drink plenty of water and moisturize your skin daily as the well-moisturized or hydrated skin repairs itself rapidly. 

Adopting Healthy Lifestyle

• Balanced diet: Any sort of wellness requires healthy and balanced food. In order to protect your skin from developing pigmentation, eat foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins like berries, cruciferous vegetables, nuts & seeds, green tea ,citrus fruits etc. These food can play a great role in keeping your skin healthy  and in reducing your  pigmentation.

• “NO” to smoking and excessive alcohol: Smoking and excessive booze is neither healthy for lungs nor for the skin. It can fasten the pigmentation and skin aging. Thus, if you love your skin ,learn saying no to booze and cigarettes.

Apart from all these, there are also professional treatment to reduce dark spots.These treatments are only carried out by the professionals.It includes:

• Chemical Peels:These are carefully performed by skin specialists or dermatologists, the chemical peel uses acid  to exfoliate the skin, which ultimately helps in reducing dark spots over time.

• Laser Treatments: Few laser treatments  like fractional CO2 or Q-switched lasers target pigment and can help break it down.

• Microneedling: Microneedling is a procedure using the micro or thin needles ,that punctures the skin surface ,stimulating skin to heal naturally. It is also called collagen induction therapy. The process is performed to reduce dark spots, scars, wrinkles etc. It is mostly used for cosmetic purposes ;however it can also help with some medical conditions. 

Products for dark and dull skin

There are a number of products available in the market that can significantly reduce the dark spots and improve the overall skin tone . These are:

• Cleansers: There are different kinds of cleansers available in the market .Go for a cleanser that contains vitamin c or ascorbic acid as it help in removing dead skin cells.

• Serums: There are different types of serums like, vitamin c serums, Niacinamide Serums, Alpha Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid Serums, all these help in brightening the skin. Although different types of serums are recommended for different skin types.

• Moisturizers: Use moisturizers for keeping your skin hydrated and plump.

• Sunscreen: Sunscreen above SPF 30 is recommended in order to protect skin from UV Rays.

• Night Creams: Moisturizes, brightens ,and rejuvenates our skin while we sleep.

• Face masks and face mists: They can help in hydrating and brightening our skin. It makes our skin look plump and glowy.

• Brightening Oils: Face oils help in restoring radiance, providing moisture and nutrients to dull skin.

Conclusion

As we are getting into the final furlong, its important to sink in the fact that though looks are not the ultimate thing that defines a person’s personality but having unhealthy and tanned skin can definitely have a significant impact on our self-confidence, because there are many people who associate clear and even skin with beauty and attractiveness. While the dark spots or tanning can be caused by a variety of factors—like excess melanin production, hormonal changes, medications, or skin injuries—understanding the underlying causes and ways to  address them is a prerequisite to managing and reducing the dark spots.

To attain brighter,even tone and more radiant skin, it's mandatory to incorporate preventive measures like sun protection,  skincare routine, hydration, and a balanced diet. Topical treatments such as Vitamin C Serums, Niacinamide, or Retinoids can be helpful, but patience is required as results take time. Additionally, professional treatments like chemical peels, laser therapies, or microneedling are available in the clinics, which can offer more intensive options for treating  pigmentation.

In the end, hyperpigmentation is not permanent or irreversible, and if we take proper care and treatment, it's possible to see improvement in skin tone over time. The odyssey to brighter skin is personal, and using the right combination of skincare products, sun protection, and healthy lifestyle choices will help boost both skin health and confidence.

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

Vitamin C Face Serum for Radiant & Spotless Skin (9 Herbs, 30ml)

Niraa Shea Butter SPF 30 Face & Body Lotion | Skin Brightening & Sun Protection

Kojic Acid Face Serum for Pigmentation (13 herbs, 30ml)

Women's Vitamin C Face Cream for Skin Brightening & Radiance Boost (13 herbs, 50g)

Plum Oil-Free Face Serum for Acne Marks (8 herbs, 30ml)

Related Articles:

Home Remedies for Dark Spots and Skin Pigmentation

Fighting the Darkest Enemy – The Dark Spots

Is Pitta Dosha A Cause of Dark Spots?

References:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/skin-pigmentation-5088368

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459271/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3636818/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-dark-spots-on-the-face