Shedding the light on DARK spots

Let's talk skin for a minute. After all, it is the LARGEST organ on our body so we should be careful about what we put on it. Because of it's absorbent nature, we should always be aware of the products that we put on it because these very products could 1)prevent other products from entering our body or 2) expose our body to harmful chemicals.  So let's talk about dark spots.
Dark spots can appear because of many different reasons. Over-exposure to the sun can cause dark spots in various stages. The harmful rays from the sun can expose the skin to damaging rays that may result in those nasty dark spots. Although we are of a darker skin complexion, we must also invest in sun screen and sun block. Our skin can be damaged as much as our Caucasian counterparts.
Certain medication sensitize the skin to the sun. If you are taking any of the following: Estrogens,Tetracyclines or sulfonamides, you could be at a higher risk to sun damage than most.
Pregnancy is another cause of dark spots on the skin. Because of the elasticity of the skin, it can be stretched without boundaries, but once the skin is able to return to its natural shape, it can be affected by darkened skin, This results from the skin being stretched.
No matter what the reason is for your dark spots, here are some NATURAL ways to treat those spots. Tart juice from a lemon can help lighten up dark spots on the skin. The acid in lemon juice has a natural lightening affect on the skin. You can dab a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it to the skin after a morning and evening wash.
Mash up a clove of garlic and an onion to release moisture into the skin. Once these 2 are mashed, it will create a paste. You can apply this paste to any affected area and let stand for a few minutes. Unlike the lemon, use this mixture BEFORE you wash due to the smell. The onion has antioxidants that are released into the skin to help with rejuvenation.
Vinegar, just like lemon juice, has the acid that can help lighten up dark spots. Place the vinegar on the skin twice a day(on freshly cleansed skin) and allow the acid to help lighten spots. Because of the potency of this product, it is not recommended for the face.
Castor oil is great in the healing process of the skin. Once you apply an acidic to the skin, apply castor oil, grapeseed oil or olive oil to prevent dryness. Most of your natural oils will aid in the repairing of the skin, but castor oil has been proven to speed up the healing process.
As as always, WATER, WATER, WATER. Remember, what you put in your body plays a big part in the appearance of our skin, So drink plenty of water help take care of that skin!!