Things You'll Need:
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Fading cream
- Facial scrub
- Dermatologist
- Lemon juice
- Tomato juice
- Cucumber juice
- Sandalwood powder
- Honey
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Step 1
Wear sunscreen daily. Make sure to choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply often. Sunscreen should be part of your daily routine year-round. You can get sun damage and spots even on overcast, cloudy and rainy days. On particularly sunny days, it's wise to wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection for your face.
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Step 2
Apply skin-lightening or fading creams. Many major cosmetic lines such as Shiseido and Avon make skin-lightening lotions, which you can apply to your skin daily. Many lightening creams contain small amounts of hydroquinone, which has been shown to lighten skin. There is some controversy surrounding this ingredient as some studies have shown it to be dangerous when used repeatedly over a long period of time. If you don't wish to use hydroquinone, you can choose products with mulberry extract, burberry extract, licorice extract and kojic acid. All these ingredients have been shown to lighten skin.
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Step 3
Exfoliate your facial skin two to three times a week, using a facial scrub. When you exfoliate your skin, you remove dead skin cells that have been resting on the top of your skin. You also stimulate new cell growth, thus encouraging a more even skin tone. Regular exfoliation can help lighten the appearance of dark spots.
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Step 4
Use a facial serum that contains vitamin C nightly. Vitamin C has been shown to brighten and lighten skin.
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Step 5
See your dermatologist and discuss your lightening goals. He may be able to prescribe you a more serious fading cream. Retin A is often used to lighten skin discolorations as it stimulates new cell growth. Expect your skin to be a bit more sensitive when you first begin using such a cream. Your dermatologist may also recommend using laser procedures or chemical peels to lighten your complexion.
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Step 6
Apply an all-natural face mask made of sandalwood powder, lemon juice, tomato juice and cucumber juice. Leave the mask on your face for 20 to 30 minutes either every day or every other day. This mixture has been shown to lighten skin over time. Another home remedy is to mix equal parts honey and lemon juice, and apply the mixture to your skin. Leave this mask on for about 15 minutes before rinsing off.
