Getting ready for a special occasion can be stressful on its own, but add to it the moment you look into the mirror and see the battle scars of life reflected back at you—dark spots—stress levels increase. In the back of your mind you know that those dark spots you covered with foundation are still faintly visible and it then becomes hard to believe that you are beautiful and worth noticing.

For many women, confidence and smooth and glowing skin are linked. Since human beings tend to be visual, an uneven skin tone can pose challenges to women, lessening your confidence in both public and private. For African American women in particular, skin protection and health can be even more of a concern and struggle. You want to avoid doing anything that could cause a scar, which does not fade away quickly, to form on your skin.

Melanin. A Natural Sunblock?

Although the hype surrounding dark skin being a natural sun block due to the levels of melanin is true to a certain extent.  Melanin itself is also the cause of anxiety for many black women. The condition hyperpigmentation is often caused by an excess production of melanin in your skin, deep into the dermis, causing your skin to darken and create dark spots.

Acne is often a major culprit of this condition, acne scarring lasting for months to years for some, but so are excess sun exposure (yes, even for women of color), skin injury, skin issues such as eczema or psoriasis, certain medications, hormonal changes and imbalance, and certain endocrine related diseases. No part of your body is immune to hyperpigmentation!

Dark spots can be frustrating, bringing some to tears or to avoid certain situation due to a weakened self-confidence: Avoiding pictures and exhibiting poor posture to avoid being noticed, spending money on makeup with high coverage, staying up late at night to research treatments, visiting doctors for different treatments and prescriptions, buying lightening creams without asking questions as to ingredients, and falling for any product promising clear skin.

The fact is blemished and unhealthy skin can lead you to act out of desperation. How could it not when you are told through media that beauty is confidence and every image of a woman considered to be beautiful portrays her with smooth, glowing and more often than not, pale skin.

It’s Going to Take Patience on Your Part If You Want to Minimize Dark Spots and Uneven Skin Tones

The good news is that hyperpigmentation does not last; healthy, even and glowing skin is possible for all African American women devastated by acnes scars, sun damage or any other cause of hyperpigmentation. It just takes the right attitude and not allowing your condition to dictate your happiness. Oh, and patience. It also takes a lot of patience.

The waiting process can be challenging from the beginning. As you cope with the issues that may cause your hyperpigmentation up to the period of healing, which can take weeks, months, and even years depending upon the severity and cause. Did I mention patience?

However, with patience and the right knowledge the battle scars will lessen and fade over time. To be able to go out without having to put on layers of makeup to give the illusion of even and glowing skin is something most women only dream of but it is possible for everyone.

Do your best to avoid acting out of desperation or frustration but take the time to get to know your skin. Study your skin and get to know your body. Find out if there is a cause or trigger for your dark spots and respond accordingly. Avoid doing activities, using products, excess sun exposure, or eating certain foods that impact the health and glow of your skin. Diet, exercise, a beauty regimen and your overall lifestyle, will impact the health of your skin and how quickly uneven dark patches fade.

Okay that’s it for this week.  If you’re looking for great products to help minimize dark spots and uneven skin tones naturally, check out Nyraju Skin Care.  Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and leave us a comment.  We’d love to know what you think!

As Always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Aromatherapist/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care