You might notice that the color on your face and neck are of different shades.
You might spend a lot of time on your face with facials, scrubbing it, and putting things on it.
But what about your neck? It is essential to take care of both parts so they match.
Sometimes the skin on our neck can darken. This can happen for various reasons, such as hormonal disorders, sun exposure, and drug-induced or other skin conditions.
The skin texture in this area may change compared to other areas on your body that have itching or dark patches. Dark lines on the back of the neck (acanthosis nigricans) may be a sign of diabetes or insulin resistance in your body.
What Causes Dark Black Neck?
Darkening of the neck may be caused by a few things. These include:
Acanthosis Nigricans
Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition associated with insulin resistance. In this condition, there is an area on the body with a velvety dark appearance of the skin. This is usually located on the back of the neck and underarms, making it difficult to be hidden from people’s view even when dressing up in clothes.
Some people might confuse a dark black neck from hormonal changes or from using lotions or creams that contain steroids. This skin condition is rare and primarily seen in adults, but there are cases when children get affected too.
Dermatitis Neglecta
Dermatitis neglecta, also known as Dermatitis seborrheic or Diverticulitis of the neck, is a skin condition that causes redness, scaling and sometimes itchiness. The neck becomes darker in colour compared to the rest of the body. Some people confuse it with other skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Other things that can cause black neck are:
- Medications for cholesterol, like nicotinic acid
- Birth control pills.
- Hypothyroidism
- Growth hormone therapy for some diseases of the pituitary gland.
- A disease called Addison’s disease is when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones.
Homemade Remedies For Black Neck
To remove and prevent it from returning, you must first address the underlying condition causing your neck to be black.
In some situations, when the disease is treated, the discolouration may go away; in other situations, hyperpigmentation can be induced by medication.
Most Acanthosis Nigricans is caused by insulin resistance, which can often be treated by dietary and lifestyle changes.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is good for the skin. Aloe vera gel has antioxidants that make your skin lighter and keep it hydrated and nourished.
To use, take a fresh aloe vera leaf and cut it open. Rub the aloe vera gel on your neck with gentle massage for 20 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Repeat this treatment as often as you want to see results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can make your skin look brighter and better. It removes dead skin cells. The malic acid in the apple cider vinegar makes it a great exfoliator (source).
To use it, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 4 tablespoons of water very well. Then apply this with a cotton ball to your face for 10 minutes. Once done, rinse off with water and moisturize your skin afterwards because ACV can make it dry. You should do this every day for two weeks or until you get the desired result.
Milk
Skin can be lightened by using milk, buttermilk, and even sour milk. You can use a cotton ball soaked in plain milk to apply all over the affected areas and wash off after 20-30 minutes.
You may repeat this every day or twice a day.
Baking Soda
To help get rid of dead skin cells, you can use baking soda. Mix two to three tablespoons of baking soda with water and make a paste. Apply it to the area and leave it for a few minutes.
Scrub off the paste and rinse with water. Repeat this every day until you see desired results.
Chick Pea Flour
Take 2 tablespoons of Chick Pea Flour, 1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice and ½ tablespoon of Yogurt. Mix this in a bowl with water. Massage it on your neck for ten minutes. Then wash off with a mild cleanser.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in Vitamin E. This helps your skin feel better. Vitamin E can help reduce pigmentation of the skin and make it look better by mixing almond oil with tea tree oil or coconut oil and massaging it into the affected area for 10-15 minutes (source).
Yogurt
Yogurt has natural enzymes that help with lemon juice to make your skin smooth (source).
Mix 2 tablespoons of yogurt and a teaspoon of lemon juice and apply it to your neck. Leave for 20 minutes before rinsing off with water.
Potato Juice
Potatoes have been said to have bleaching properties (source). These can lighten a person’s skin a lot. They also help remove dark patches on the skin and make it more even.
Take a potato and grate it, then squeeze all of the juice out of it. Apply that juice to your neck, then let it dry completely before rinsing with lukewarm water twice every day.
Homemade Masks
You can make a mask with yogurt, turmeric, and lemon. The lactic acid in the yogurt is good for your skin. Lemon has Vitamin C, which helps reduce pigmentation. Turmeric also has properties that help get rid of dark spots on your skin.
Gram flour will thicken the mask and give it a paste-like consistency so it won’t drip off of your face or neck.
Gram flour also acts as an exfoliating scrub that is gentle on your skin and gets rid of hyperpigmentation spots on your skin too. The mask will work well to apply to all parts of your face, neck, and other problem areas. Also, you can try these 8 natural masks to glow your skin.
Related: 11 Ways to Increase Skin Collagen Naturally
Diet & Nutrition
A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and enough water can help to make your skin healthier. By eating fresh fruits and vegetables, you might be able to lighten your skin. It is also essential that you eat foods high in Vitamin C, B12, or E because they provide good health for the body.
