Dark Skin Around Neck

Darkened skin around the neck can be very unattractive and can be effectively treated with home remedies. But before we move towards solving this problem, it would be very helpful if you understand why this has occurred. Understanding the problem will help in preventing further darkening from taking place.




Most often people take good care of their facial skin and the skin that runs along their hands and legs. However, they tend to neglect certain areas of the body like the neck, armpits, elbows, knees and ankle joint. The discoloration only attracts attention when the area darkens excessively and gives the skin an uneven tone. This could be the same with you. Just as the skin on the face and other parts of the body contains melanin, so does the neck. When over exposed to the sun, the skin on the neck reacts in the exact same manner, like the skin on the other part of the body. It releases an excess amount of melanin, to protect the skin from getting sun burnt. The excess amount of melanin produced by the skin is oxidized by the reaction to the sun, which converts harmful UV rays into normal heat emitted from the body. This process makes the over exposed skin look darker than the other areas of your body.

The following simple solutions will help you lighten the skin around your neck if followed earnestly.

• Always maintain good hygiene around your neck. The neck has folds that allow dust and sweat to cling to it. If this dust and sweat is not completely washed off, it can cause the skin in this area to darken over time. You can use an antiseptic soap and body scrubber for this purpose.

• Keep your neck covered while going out of the house during the day. You can do this by wearing a collared shirt or by wrapping a stole around your neck. This will prevent the skin from coming in direct contact with the sun. Thus protecting it form the oxidizing effect of the sun’s UV rays.

• If you do not prefer wearing collared shirts or stoles, applying a sun screen lotion with SPF value of above 30 would also serve the purpose effectively. The sun block would prevent the sun from oxidizing the melanin present on the skin.

• Take a few margosa leaves and make a paste out of them. Now add 2 tablespoons of sandal wood powder to it, and mix it well. Add to this mixture, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Apply this mixture on the darkened areas of your neck and keep it on for about 10 minutes. Using a loofa, sugar granules or an ordinary body scrubber; scrape off the mixture from your neck. This method of exfoliation will help you get rid of the darkened layer of skin, exposing the newer layer beneath it. Margosa leaves are known for its antibacterial properties, sandalwood soothes the skin and provides it with an even tone, and lemons are nature’s natural bleaching agent. So a combination of these will help lighten your skin tone within a few weeks from its first application. Wash and dry your neck thoroughly, after using this mixture for effective results.