Scarring, age and dark spots, an uneven complexion makes many of us self-conscious. So how to you get rid of them? With so many products and methods out there, it’s hard to figure out which ones work best to remove dark spots.
To Remove Dark Spots Seemed a Little Off Limits
You see, I’ve always wanted to remove dark spots on my friend’s skin, to restore her pretty face (and self-confidence). It’s just that we always thought it had to be laser treated and obviously that’s not only expensive, but evasive. So of course, being the salaried people we are, and struggling bloggers, laser treatment was a no go to remove dark spots.
According to David E. Bank, MD, of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, hyperpigmentation, or “dark spots,” can be caused by acne scars, excessive sun exposure, or hormonal changes. “There are a variety of creams and serums that patients can use to help lighten, brighten, and diminish dark areas over time,” he says.
Sounds pretty simple, right? But with each of these treatment options, there is some risk attached when it comes to remove dark spots. My friend and I, had no idea what we were dealing with. So we did some digging on how to remove dark spots.
Options to Remove Dark Spots
Hydroquinone Creams and Serums
This is the most popular solution for skin lightening and to remove dark spots. It’s a topical solutions containing hydroquinone. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the concentration of this active ingredient to 2% in over-the-counter products and 3-4% in prescription products. It is the only ingredient classified as a “bleaching agent” by the FDA. While it may be deemed safe for use in cosmetic products, the concentration of hydroquinone is limited because it poses a greater risks at higher concentrations.
The Environmental Working Group says there is strong evidence that the ingredient is a “human skin toxicant” and also an allergen. There are also concerns that this ingredient could cause cancer, but the existing research is limited. Using this types of products should be a short-term fix. If you experience irritation, unusual darkening of the skin, or any other side effects, discontinue use immediately.
Retinol Solutions
Products like Retin-A and Renova are an option to remove dark spots. They contain ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acid and retinoic acid, which work to increase cell turnover, speed up exfoliation, and promote new, healthy skin growth.
The problem is that these ingredients can be considerably drying and make the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays. It may also take up to a few months to work, and sunscreen will have to be a daily routine.
Laser Treatments
A more invasive option to remove dark spots is laser treatment. It works by targeting dark spots with concentrated light energy, and removes the skin layer by layer by burning the darkened layers of the skin right off.
There are several different types of laser treatment, and while it may be faster than other products, there are heavier risks associated such as:
- bruising
- swelling
- redness
- tightness
- scarring
- infection
- changes in the skin’s texture
Peels
Peels and exfoliating products remove dead skin cells, or the top layer of the skin to reveal healthier and more evenly toned skin. They do however cause skin irritation.
The Natural Stuff
You can find over-the-counter products that claim to remove dark spots, skin lightening and “correcting” abilities via natural ingredients. Common compounds in these products include vitamin C, azelaic acid, pomegranate extract, beta carotene, and even licorice extract, according to Dr. Bank.
While these have fewer risks than the options listed above, your skin could have a sensitivity or allergic reaction to nearly anything, “natural” products included.
Based on this, my friend and I were set on which option we were going with. Before long, we forgot about the whole thing and moved on. Until I got an email in my inbox that is…
Remove Dark Spots with Cartouche
The email was from Cartouche. I’ll be honest, at first I thought cartouche was some printing ink company that was trying to get me to promo them on the blog. I almost hit delete but noticed something about “Remove dark spots…” in the title. I thought that was odd. Cartouche in French means printer cartridge…so you can see where I’m coming from.
I responded back and agreed to sample the product. I called up my friend and told her she was going to be my guinea pig to remove dark spots.
What’s Cartouche Hydro Bright Gel All About?
Cartouche’s Hydro Bright Gel is a potent and safe product that has been proven to reduce dark spots associated with aging and other skin blemishes.
The main ingredient in the formula are 4-Hexylresorcinol, an organic compound naturally derived from rye and other cereals. This formula also uses another ingredient called Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), which works with the main ingredient to expedite and improve skin lightening results.
It’s been clinically proven to be 4 times more effective than hydroquinone. Meaning, the days of bleaching your skin with harsh products like hydroquinone are long gone. It’s also got other key benefits:
- Provides anti-oxidant and skin protective benefits to enhance the glow and radiance of your skin
- All natural
- Made in the USA
- Cruelty-free, not tested on animals
- Moisturizes skin for a natural soft, smooth feel
- Has no known side effects
So we sought out to try it out after reading the label, the benefits and all that jazz.
Reaping the Benefits
- It moisturizes nicely
- Has no scent
- Gentle on the skin, especially critical areas such as the eyes.
But beware and use sparsely. Too much will rub off and crumble.
After a few days of application, the results began to show…or disappear in this context…as in the dark spots. They became lighter and lighter. A successful trial!
It’s a great purchase for older people that have spent their years under the sun and are now paying the price with age spots. If you need more convincing, you can go on the cream’s Amazon page to read the reviews about the product.
Backed by the Cartouche Promise
Still need more convincing…ok so they’re confident that you’ll absolutely adore their product and totally benefit from it, but if for any reason you don’t, you get a no-questions asked money-back guarantee policy protecting you.
So if you are one of those people seeking an affordable yet results-driven method to remove dark spots, think of Cartouche. Check out their Facebook page and follow them for upcoming deals and promos especially as the holidays get closer.
Prevention
Finally, I have a few final words of advice for you. While tanning gives you a stunning glow, avoiding skin damage in the first place is typically the best solution for you to keep your skin intact. Taking care to protect your skin even after you have spots will keep them from worsening.
“Strict sun protection is key in fading dark spots,” says Dr. Bank. “Using products with blocking ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is crucial, otherwise the spots can come back even after removal.”
What’s your skin care routine to remove dark spots?
The Wardrobe Stylist 
Leave a comment