Has your neck been looking darker than the surrounding skin? The reason behind dark neck may be anything from just sun damage to the indication of some serious health complications.
The treatment of a dark neck depends on its cause. Some might get rid of the dark neck by using effective home remedies, while some might need medical attention.
After you’ve done reading this article, you will exactly know what you need to do in getting rid of your dark neck, as we cover the types of causes and their treatment.
Cause and Treatment of Dark Neck
The treatment for ‘dark neck’ depends highly on the cause. It is vital to determine the cause of the darkening neck before following any course of treatment.
1. Acanthosis Nigricans
When the human body does not use the insulin made by the pancreas, The pancreas produces even more insulin. Excessive insulin thickens the skin making it darker. It also occurs in other areas armpit, groin, etc
Treatment: checks on insulin and blood sugar level are done before breakfast and two hours after lunch. These checks help in determining whether or not you have insulin resistance. If insulin resistance is detected, medications like metformin tablets Are given depending on the weight. Metformin, Along with a balanced diet and exercise, helps keep the blood sugar level in check. Metformin in combination with insulin medications helps in treating acanthosis nigricans. It is necessary to get medical advice for evaluation and proper medicine dosage.
Keeping the weight under check is vital. When the body mass index (BMI) is under 25, The weight is maintained. Weight is managed by cutting down on carbohydrates and sugar intake and taking more fiber and protein. Exercise also helps reduce the weight and darkness of the neck.
Author’s Note: Metformin is not for people with type 1 diabetes
2. Friction
When you wear jewelry, and it rubs against your neck, it leads to the darkening of the neck. Wearing collared shirts daily Also causes friction. In overweight people, the layers of the skin rub against each other and cause the neck to get darker. It is necessary to get medical advice for evaluation and proper medicine dosage.
Author’s Note: If a dark neck is caused by friction, do not scrub your neck trying to clean it as it might get worse.
3. Sun Exposure
People with short hair are prone to have a darker neck as the neck is Directly exposed to UV radiation. The people riding bikes would also observe some tanning in the neck area.
Treatment: Studies have shown that glycolic acid significantly reduces pigmentation by exfoliating the skin’s surface and eliminating dead skin cells, promoting healthier and brighter skin to grow. Dermatologists recommend using oil meant which have glycolic gel and other ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, AHA, BHA. Besides using sunscreen on the face, use it on the back of your neck and the nape of your neck. It is necessary to get medical advice before using glycolic acid.
Before going to bed, take off all your jewelry. Do not wear thick chains and heavy jewelry regularly.
Author’s Note: People with thick a neck can use the cream containing a lower percentage of glycolic acid (about 6%) and use it twice a week.
4. Tinea Versicolor (Fungal Infection)
Malassezia furfur yeast causes Tinea versicolor. A biopsy can do the determination of whether fungal cells are present.
5. Lichen Planus Pigmentosus (LPP)
In this condition, inflammation causes scarring in the body areas like the neck and face.
Treatment: Minor fungal infection causes can be treated with ointments, whereas in the case of major fungal infections, ointments are paired with oral medications.
Author’s Note: Due to high blood insulin levels, women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) May also notice dark patches on the neck.
6. Dermatitis Neglecta
Poor hygiene is the leading cause of dermatitis neglecta. Not properly cleaning the neck accumulates dirt and oil on the surface of the neck, which makes the neck area appear darker than the surrounding skin.
Treatment: scrub the area of the neck with soap and water. Also, further maintaining personal hygiene is very important.
4 Home Remedies for Dark Neck
Home remedies can lighten the neck naturally if no medical condition is detected. Home remedies do not work in prime conditions; they must be treated with oral medications and creams. It is necessary to detect the cause before choosing an effective treatment.
1. Potato Juice:
Starch is an excellent bleaching agent, and potatoes contain a lot of starch. Applying potato juice to the area lightens the neck considerably.
Directions of Use:
- Extract the juice out of the potato by grating it.
- Soak the cotton balls in the potato juice and apply them to the affected area.
- Once it has dried completely, rinse it off with water.
2. Ubtan:
Gram flour is the main ingredient in ubtan treatment. Gram Flour helps tighten the pores and brighten the neck by exfoliating the skin.
Directions of Use:
- Take 1 – 2 tablespoons of gram flour, A pinch of turmeric, and a dash of lemon juice, combine the ingredients and make a paste thin enough to apply.
- Apply the paste thoroughly on the neck leave it until it dries. Rinse it off with water. Apply twice a week for better results.
3. Aloe Vera Gel:
Aloe Vera contains ample antioxidants, which help fight the enzymes that cause the darkening of the skin. Aloe Vera Gel nourishes the skin and promotes healthy cell growth.
Directions of Use:
- Cut the aloe Vera leaf exposing the gel or use the aloe vera gel available in the market.
- Rub the gel on the neck. Leave the gel on for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Rinse it off with cold water. You can follow this in your regular skincare routine.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar:
The skin’s pH level is maintained by using apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also gives a natural glow And extracts all the dirt and dead skin cells from the affected area.
Directions of Use:
- Take apple cider vinegar in 1:2 part, mix well.
- Take cotton balls and dip them in the mixture; apply it to the neck.
- Leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes and rinse it off, do this procedure as much as you can for quick results.
Author’s Note: The dark neck is one of the symptoms of the pre-diabetic phase or a thyroid disorder.
Preventive Measures
- Applying sunscreen before going outside.
- Maintaining hygiene by exfoliating the neck twice a day with soap and water.
- Scrubbing the neck once a week.
- Maintaining weight.
- Cover your neck to avoid dun exposure.
How to Clean Your Neck?
1. Cleanse:
The oil and dirt settled on the surface need to be cleansed. Cleansing helps maintain consistent complexion and impurity-free skin. Wash your neck thoroughly with a mild cleanser every day.
2. Scrub:
Use a scrub on your neck once a week to get rid of any dead cells and debridement. Some kitchen ingredients like lemon juice and sugar make up for a good scrub or choose a store-bought soft exfoliator to prevent irritation.
3. Moisturise:
Moisturizing is vital, especially after cleansing, because cleansing leads to pores opening and makes the area vulnerable to sun damage. Use a moisturizer that contains SPF.
FAQs
1. Can baking soda reduce the darkness of the neck?
To neutralize the baking soda, mix it with water, making a uniform paste. Put it on the area you want to treat, leave it on until it dries off completely, then scrub it off with your fingers and rinse with cold water. You will see your skin getting lighter and matching the surrounding skin over time.
2. How to use toothpaste in treating dark neck?
Mix equal parts of toothpaste and water, forming a paste; apply this paste to your neck. Keep it on for 10 – 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water.
Conclusion
Both your face and your neck deserve equal attention. As we have established so far, a dark neck can indicate more serious medical problems. It is necessary to visit a certified dermatologist and get it checked.
Make effective changes to your lifestyle and prevent the situation from becoming dire. We have taken a look at some underlying causes and the appropriate way to treat them. We also covered how to clean your neck area and prevent dark neck.
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