Natural remedies for dark skin in the neck ('black neck')

Dark neck, or black neck, is when the skin around the neck is darker than the surrounding skin. It's not a serious issue and isn’t contagious, but in some cases it may signify a serious condition that needs attention.

The most obvious symptom of the condition is the darkening of the skin around the neck as compared to adjoining skin. Other symptoms involve thickened skin around the neck and sometimes velvety feel around neck skin.

Black neck causes

Acanthosis nigricans

It is the most common cause of this condition. Acanthosis nigricans is the condition that signifies insulin resistance by your body. Your body stops utilizing the insulin as a result of which more secretion of insulin takes place. Due to increased levels of insulin, your skin becomes thickened, darker, and appears more velvety.

Friction

If you have a habit of wearing thick chains, then the friction between the skin and the chain darkens the area.

If you are overweight, then the fat accumulates around your neck and face. These fats lead to rubbing between the skins on the neck leading to darkish appearance. You should control your weight.

Sun tanning

When your neck area is exposed to the sun for a prolonged time, then sun tanning condition arises.

Lichen (planus pigmentosus)

It is a condition in which the darkening of the skin starts from the side of the face and sometimes extends to the neck as well as chest areas.

Eczema

Atopic dermatitis, which causes eczema, also imparts dryness, thickness, and darkness to affected areas. Sometimes it also affects your neck surface.

Remedies for black neck

Here we will discuss some of the effective home remedies for black neck. You should consult your doctor before applying any of them, as some might cause an allergic reaction to your skin surface if your skin is sensitive to some of the remedies

Apple cider vinegar

It is one of the natural exfoliators which is beneficial for removing dead skin cells. Apple cider vinegar helps in providing a natural glow to your skin by removing the dead skin cells.

Mix four tablespoons of water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and apply it by cotton balls. Leave it for ten minutes and then wash it off. Make sure you moisturize your skin after that as it imparts dryness to your skin.

Potato juice

The bleaching properties of potato juice helps to lighten your skin and make it toned. It also helps in removing dark patches from the skin.

To use it, peel off the potatoes and grate it. Squeeze the juice out of the grates in a bowl and then apply it on the neck. Let it dry off before washing. Use lukewarm water to wash it. Apply this juice twice a day.

Baking soda

Baking soda improves the blood circulation around the skin and nourishes it completely from inside. It also efficiently removes dead skin cells.

To use it, make a paste by mixing two to three tablespoons of baking soda to water. Make sure you don’t add excess water. Apply the paste on your neck and then scrub it off with your wet fingers when it dries. Then rinse the area and pat dry it. Moisturize the applied area.

Almond oil

Vitamin E that is present in this oil helps in smoothing your skin which imparts healthier look naturally. It also has sclerosant and mild bleaching properties that improve the tone as well as the complexion of the skin.

First, wash your neck with mild soap then pat dry it. After that, massage almond oil for ten to fifteen minutes in a circular motion. Rinse it with lukewarm water. Apply this remedy daily.

Tea-tree oil

Tea-tree oil can also be used with almond oil as a carrier oil as it also improves the blood circulation around your neck. You can also use this essential oil for skin tags. This also proves to be an excellent additive for improving this condition. .

Ubtan

Ubtan is a mix of chickpea flour, turmeric, lemon juice, yogurt or rose water. All of them are mixed to form a paste, this paste is called ubtan. It acts as a natural exfoliator which makes your neck skin glow by absorbing impurities and tightening the pores. It helps in reducing the pigmentation of the neck.

The exact amount of ingredients that you need to mix two tablespoons of chickpea flour, a pinch of turmeric, half teaspoon lemon juice, and yogurt or rosewater. Apply this paste and leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. Use this remedy twice a week.

Preventive measures

It is important that you prevent this condition from happening in the future as well as for the first time if you haven’t encountered it.

Keep your weight in check

Since fat around your neck also causes it. You must maintain a healthy weight. Do regular exercising, cutoff sugar and carbs intake, and maintain a healthy diet such as including fibers in your food.

Avoid friction

Since friction between an external object and skin also causes a dark neck, you need to avoid this too. Remove any hard israeliteelry that puts a mark on your skin when rubbed. Avoid wearing collared shirts with thick fabric, go for soft fabric shirts.

Avoid scrubbing

This condition is already due to the scrubbing of foreign materials or skin itself. Hence you must avoid it by your own hands or by any other means.

Apply sunscreen

Apply sunscreen lotions or creams if your day to day activities involve prolonged exposure to the sun.