Dark spots? Don’t worry, they aren’t going to last forever and there are a few ways you can do to make them disappear faster. But, first and foremost, it’s important to identify what could be causing the hyperpigmentation on your face, and there are many different contributing factors.

Some of the most common reasons for dark spots include exposure to UV rays from the sun, and although this mostly affects the older population, young men and women are also susceptible to these spots. Another cause could be hormonal fluctuations, and this is especially common for women who are pregnant or experiencing menopause. But these types of spots, known as melasma, could also be caused by birth control pills and hormone therapy treatments. And the third common reason for the discoloration could be trauma to the skin such as acne, psoriasis, or a reaction to skincare products.

To know how to heal your spots is dependent on what is causing them, and once you’ve established this it is easy to treat. For example, as WikiHow notes, if you find you’ve been tanning or using the sunbed often, this could be the reason for the dark spots on your skin, or if you’ve recently started taking certain medication, this may be why you've noticed dark spots appearing. While it’s best to see a dermatologist who can effectively diagnosis you, there are also treatments that target these conditions, and these include some homemade remedies.

According to Bellatory, one of the ways to help lighten dark spots is by using lemon juice. The reason for this is the acidity found in lemons, which can be used as a bleaching tool. Other food products that can lighten the skin are yogurt and buttermilk, because of the lactic acid which they contain.

Aloe vera has long been praised for its useful properties and because it’s packed with vitamins that can even out the skin tone, this could be yet another way to rid yourself of dark spots.

But it’s not just natural remedies that do the trick, and there are also tried and tested products on the market that target this skin condition, including a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, creams that contain skin-lightening ingredients like niacinamide, Retinoids, which are a form of vitamin A, or creams containing hydroquinone (although according to Healthline it’s recommended to use creams containing this ingredient on a short-term basis only). And according to Self, taking Vitamin C can also improve your dark spots because it works to reduce the dark coloration of the skin.

You can prevent further sun-related spots from wearing an SPF of 30 every day, Cosmopolitan reports. Plus, dark spots can get even darker when exposed to the sun. There are also a few things you should not do, and according to Cosmopolitan, one of the biggest no-nos is picking at the spot because you'll only make it worse.

And if none of the above work, then you could always resort to laser treatment. Although expensive, lasers target and eliminate the pigment particles in the skin, Self reports. There is also the option of using chemical peels, which remove layers of dead skin cells on the upper skin and can reduce the appearance of dark spots, and microdermabrasion, which works as an exfoliator and helps to treat mild cases of dark pigments.

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