Does your neck appear much darker than any other organs in your body? Don’t worry, you are not alone! A dark neck or acanthosis nigricans is a medical case, and remains a great cosmetic concern and sometimes a sign of an underlying health issue. Stop worrying about that, because these days, there are numerous ways to treat or lighten the darkness in your neck. Further, let’s dive into this blog to know what causes a dark neck and how to get rid of it.

What does a black neck mean?

As mentioned above, black neck or dark neck or acanthosis nigricans is a medical condition where an individual’s neck alone will turn darker than the skin around it. The common areas in your body that can become black easily include the neck, armpits, and groin. Those darkened areas will turn velvety and thick. Further, you can notice this darkness in your body’s folding areas, like knees, knuckles, and elbows.

What are the symptoms of a dark neck?

The primary symptoms include:

Hyperpigmentation, where your skin becomes darker.
While in hyperkeratosis, your skin will become thicker.
Velvety patches.

Other signs of black neck include:

Dryness
Itching
Abnormal smell
Intense roughness
Slow change in color
Redness, inflammation, and warmth

You can observe these signs mostly in the neck, groin, and armpits, and a few individuals experience this in the soles, palms, knuckles, lips, and other parts of the body. If you are experiencing the below-mentioned signs, it’s time to reach out to a healthcare professional:

Depression
Fatigue
Constipation
Hypertension
Loss of appetite
Missing periods
Discomfort in the abdomen

What causes a dark neck?

You need to understand that black neck can affect anyone, like normal individuals or people with underlying health issues. Also, in a few cases, it is congenital (an individual is born with it). Most of the individuals believe that darkness in their neck arises due to poor hygiene, repeated friction due to neckpieces, but this is not the actual reason. When your body has higher insulin levels, you will have a dark neck. Only when experiencing other symptoms along with it, you need to be worried, or consider testing your blood sugar, or reaching out to a healthcare provider.

The next reason for darkness in the neck includes obesity, and further, kids who experience this condition are more prone to develop type 2 diabetes in the future. In very rare cases, darkness in your neck can be a symptom of a cancerous tumor in your internal organs, such as the liver or stomach. Other causes of dark neck include:

Few cholesterol medicines
Oral contraceptives
Hypothyroidism
Growth hormone therapy
Issues in the pituitary gland
Addison’s disease

Simply, individuals with acanthosis nigricans possess higher levels of insulin when compared with normal individuals. Also, when your diet is filled with sugars, starches, and other foods with preservatives can surge your insulin levels and result in obesity.

How to diagnose a dark neck?

You need to be aware that black neck itself is not a disease, but it remains a sign of an underlying condition, so it’s crucial to reach out to your healthcare provider immediately. This can be easily diagnosed with a skin check, and further, your healthcare provider will also check your diabetes and will also suggest additional tests like blood tests and X-rays based on the signs that you are experiencing.

How to treat a dark neck?

The key lies in treating the underlying cause of dark neck. In some cases, you can completely treat the discoloration when you start managing the condition. Also, your dark pigmentation in your neck at times can be induced by medication; in such cases, just by stop taking that medication can make it disappear. For example, that darkness in your neck is a result of insulin resistance, you can reverse it just by losing some pounds.

Also, sometimes even after treating the root cause, you may notice permanent or chronic discoloration, so you will feel stressed and embarrassed. Simply, consider treating it in the initial stage, and medical treatment is crucial to get rid of it completely. In such stubborn pigmentation cases, home remedies may not help you, only your healthcare provider can offer you a suitable solution.

So, consider discussing with the best dermatologist in Coimbatore to find what treatment will be effective for you. Further, let’s see some common treatment options:

Medications:

Consider using medications with lactic acid or glycolic acid to eliminate your pigmentation. Understand that a combination of medications, along with effective treatment, works wonders. Your doctor will guide you in the right way.

Chemical peels:

Chemical peels will assist in exfoliating dead skin to reveal fresh skin. This is one of the effective cosmetic medical conditions that help in treating your darkened skin. An experienced dermatology specialist will assist you in finding the right peel to get the desired results with limited risk. You can see the result anywhere from eight weeks or more, so learn to be patient.

Microdermabrasion:

Individuals who are looking to enhance the appearance of their pigmented skin can try microdermabrasion. Typically, it is a painless, non-invasive exfoliation treatment performed by an experienced professional that rejuvenates and improves the skin’s surface. You need to get this procedure done every four weeks to get the desired results.

Lasers:

In laser treatment, targeted beams of light will be used to reduce hyperpigmentation. Post-treatment the new cells formed will give a lighter color to your skin. Simply, reach out to the dermatologist to get proper guidance and treatment.

Creams:

The first-line dark neck removal treatment offered by doctors to treat dark neck is topical retinoids. Also, consider using products with AHAs like lactic acid, glycolic acid, and Vitamin C.

What are the other ways to get rid of a dark neck?

Consider following the home remedies to lighten your dark neck, face, and other parts of your body.

Exfoliating regularly:

Exfoliating regularly with AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) will assist in maintaining your skin smoother, brighter, and softer. They assist in lowering pigmentation, fine lines, removing dead skin cells, additional sebum, and unclog pores as well, further, it helps in gently reducing blackheads and whiteheads and enhances skin texture. Lactic acid and glycolic acid are the famous AHAs, while salicylic acid is famous for BHA.
Numerous products contain either one of these acids or both of them, even though it is safe to use them every day. Simply, when cleansing your face and neck twice a day using these acids or a combination of them in different strengths, which are safe to use every day. Cleansing your face twice a day with the cleanser that comes with these acids can enhance your skin. AHAs and BHAs best suit individuals with dry skin.
There are a few serums, toners, and masks which come with either one or both glycolic and salicylic acid. Also few people are more sensitive to AHAs and BHAs, so they can consider using it once in a few days or start using in the low percentage of the acid, and if it works for you, then you can increase the levels. Also, whenever you get any allergic reaction, you should stop using it right away.

Use serum, lotion, and creams:

Several over-the-counter topical products come with special ingredients that lighten and improve your skin texture. As mentioned above, AHAs and BHAs, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E are the crucial ingredients to look out for. Whole AHAs and BHAs assist in reducing pigmentation, fine lines, and removing excess sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt.
When hydrated, your skin will get softer and increase cell turnover, and make your skin brighter. Maintaining a proper skincare routine and following the same every day at least at night, will help the skin health significantly. Few creams come with certain acids and Vitamin C, so they can be skin sensitive and should be used only at night.
Your skincare routine should include cleansing, applying toner, and also a lotion or cream. Both creams and lotions are different in their consistency, while lotions are lighter, but creams are thicker. Simply, water-based moisturizers are best suited for oily skin. Further, face and neck masks can be used at least three times a week.

Apple cider vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar has more acetic acid, which greatly helps in lightening your pigmentation. Consider diluting apple cider vinegar with water in equal amounts and then applying it to your skin. Consider washing your face for at least 2 to 3 minutes. You can consider doing this every day, once or twice per day.

Aloe vera:

Aloe vera has aloin, which is a natural depigmenting agent. So, try applying aloe vera gel on the hyperpigmentation on the neck at night and wash it off in the morning.

Milk:

As milk is rich in lactic acid, any form of milk, like buttermilk or even sour milk, will help lighten your skin texture. Consider soaking a cotton ball in the raw milk and try applying it on your face and neck, and after 20 to 30 minutes, wash it off. You can try this method once or twice per day. Milk plays a great role in hydrating your skin.

Nutrition and hydration:

A healthy diet that consists of vegetables, fruits, and sufficient water is crucial for maintaining good skin health, because that naturally helps your skin cells in turning over, improving your skin texture and tone. Fresh fruits and vegetables have the potential to lighten your skin naturally. You can also take nutritional supplements, notably Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, because they help you maintain good health.

Home remedies:

You can try preparing face masks at home just by using natural ingredients. You can do this two to three times a day and can also apply it to the face and neck. A few masks that help in reducing your pigmentation in the neck include:

Mix turmeric, yogurt, lemon, and gram flour to prepare a mask. Yogurt is rich in nutrients, and the lactic acid in yogurt is one of the natural skin-lightening agents. Lemon is rich in Vitamin C, which reduces pigmentation. Further, turmeric has skin-lightening properties, while gram flour helps in thickening the mask and turns it into a paste-like consistency. You can use this mask on your face, neck, and other areas, and leave it for 30 minutes. And after some time, you should wash it off.
Consider trying a papaya, banana, lemon, gram flour, and honey mask. Most of these ingredients have more vitamins and minerals, which can naturally nourish and lighten the dark skin on your body. Make sure to wash your face after applying this to your face for 20 minutes.

Also, remember that, if these methods are not helping you, consider reaching out to the best skin hospital in Coimbatore to get the appropriate treatment and lighten the skin around your neck.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we can say that getting rid of a dark neck involves a mix of good hygiene, proper skincare, and in some extreme cases requires medical treatment. No matter which remedy or product you try, always remember that consistency is the key. Just remember that your skin reflects your overall health, so ensure to take care of both inside and out. Simply, with proper treatment and little patience, you can also get that smooth, even-toned neck.