It’s a common scene where you see many people with dark patches on the skin around their neck. It’s quite embarrassing to go out in public with wide-necked tops and dresses. This is a pretty common skin condition, which is caused by pigmentation. It is called acanthosis nigricans, and is not an infection.
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Causes for dark neck
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The most common causes for dark skin patches around the neck include:
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Aging
- Heredity
- Poor hygiene
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Sudden weight loss or gain
Home remedies for dark neck
However, if you have dark patches on the skin around your neck, don’t despair. Try these easy, natural, and simple home remedies for dark neck that will help reduce the discoloration considerably.
1. Almonds
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Almonds contain vital vitamins that boost and promote skin health. Also, almonds possess properties that nourish your skin, while also helping reduce the discoloration.
Remedies
- In 1 cup of water, soak 4-5 almonds overnight. The following morning, grind them into a smooth paste. Spread this on the dark skin patches around your neck and gently scrub for a few minutes. Let it stay for 10 more minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy twice a week for positive results.
- In a clean bowl, mix together half a teaspoon of powdered almonds, 1 teaspoon each of honey and milk powder, to form a smooth paste. Slather this on your dark neck, leave it on for 30 minutes, before washing it off with plain water. Follow this remedy four times a week for desired results.
- Take 2 tablespoons of almond oil and warm it. Use this to massage your neck with it to improve blood circulation. Not only will this remedy help moisturize the skin, it also gives your skin a natural glow. Repeat this remedy a few times a month for best results.
2. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is amazing for all kinds of skin problems, and is effective for getting rid of dark skin patches around the neck too. It is a natural skin lightener as well as a moisturizer. Aloe vera is also rich in antioxidants that help in repairing and boosting new skin cells.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Apply this directly on your neck and massage gently with your fingertips. Let it sit for 20 minutes, before washing it off with plain water. Follow this remedy once a day for positive results.
3. Baking soda
Baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate, is a natural exfoliating agent, which helps cleanse your skin, while also helping reduce the appearance of discolored patches on your neck.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 3 parts of baking soda with 1 part water to form a thick paste. Spread this evenly on your neck, letting it air dry for 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy twice a week for best results.
4. Cucumber
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Cucumber possesses healing as well as soothing properties that help repair skin cells, lighten skin tone, add a glow to the skin, while also helping remove dead skin cells.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of lemon juice and cucumber juice. Use a cotton ball to apply this on your dark neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
- Slather fresh cucumber juice all over your neck and gently scrub for a few minutes. Let it stay for 10 more minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
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5. Fruit mask
Strawberries contain salicylic acid and powerful antioxidants that help cleanse your skin, while also helping lightening it. Papaya, on the other hand, contains papain, a compound that possesses skin lightening properties. Combined together, this mask helps reduce the appearance of dark patches on the skin around your neck.
Remedy
- Add 2 tablespoons worth of papaya pieces and 2 strawberries to a food processor to purée them. Scoop it out into a clean bowl and apply it on your neck. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy every other day for best results.
6. Gram flour
Gram flour is a natural exfoliant, which helps reduce the appearance of dark patches of skin around your neck.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons of gram flour, a pinch of turmeric powder, and enough water to make a smooth paste. Slather this on your neck and gently scrub with your fingertips. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before scrubbing it away with cool water. Repeat this remedy every alternate day for improved results.
7. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, which makes it a natural bleaching agent. Also, the vitamin C helps remove dead skin cells, while also helping lighten your skin tone.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water. Using a cotton ball, apply this on your dark neck before going to bed. Repeat this remedy every day for a few weeks to see desired results.
- Squeeze a lemon fully into a clean bowl. Use a cotton ball to apply this juice on your dark neck. Leave it on to air dry for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
- Add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and mix well to form a smooth paste. Smear this on the dark skin around your neck. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then, wash it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for best results.
Tip 1: If your skin is sensitive, dilute the lemon juice with a bit of water, and then use.
Tip 2: Don’t go out in direct sunlight after applying the lemon juice remedy.
8. Oats
Oats make for a great natural scrub, which help exfoliate your skin. It helps reduce he appearance of dark skin around the neck area.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons of coarsely ground oats and 1 teaspoon of tomato purée to form a thick paste. Slather this on your dark neck and scrubbing it gently for a few minutes. Let it sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a moisturizer. Repeat this remedy twice a week for positive results.
- Add enough milk to 1 tablespoon of powdered oats and 1 teaspoon of honey to make a smooth paste. Smear this on your neck, letting it sit for half an hour, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy twice a week for best results.
9. Orange peel
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Orange peel is rich in vitamin C that helps lighten your skin tone significantly. It also possesses natural bleaching properties as well, which help in reducing the appearance of dark patches around the neck.
Remedies
- To 1 tablespoon of orange peel powder, add enough milk to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste around your neck area and let it air dry for 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Follow this remedy thrice a week for desired results.
- Grate the peel of 1 orange into a clean bowl, and mix some orange juice to it. Smear this on your neck, letting it sit for 15 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy every day for best results.
10. Potatoes
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Potatoes contain starch, that possesses bleaching properties. This helps in lightening dark skin around the neck.
Remedies
- Grate a small potato and apply the juice on the skin around your neck. Let it stay for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal amounts of lemon juice and potato juice. Use a cotton ball and apply this on your dark neck, letting it air dry for 20 minutes. Then, wash it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy every day for desired results.
11. Walnuts
Walnuts are packed full of essential vitamins and minerals that not only nourish your skin, but also boost overall skin health. They help keep your skin moisturized.
Remedy
- Coarsely crush a handful of walnuts and mix it with plain yogurt to make a thick paste. Slather this on your neck and scrub it with your fingertips gently, for a few minutes. Then, let it stay for 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Follow this remedy twice a week for best results.
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12. Yogurt
Yogurt contains mild bleaching properties, along with natural cleansing properties.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt and 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder to make a smooth paste. Spread this on the skin around your neck. Let it stay for 15 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for positive results.
- Add the juice of half a lemon to 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt and mix well. Slather this on your neck, letting it sit for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
- Add 1 teaspoon of fresh milk cream to 2 teaspoons of plain yogurt and mix well. Massage the dark skin around your neck using your fingertips, for a few minutes. Let it stay for 10 minutes more, before washing it off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy every day for a few weeks to see visible results.
These are all the superbly effective home remedies for dark neck. For more updates on skin care, health tips, beauty secrets, and makeup tricks, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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