How to Remove Dark Spots on Legs from Mosquito Bites

If you are reading this post, chances are, you want to know how to remove dark spots on legs from mosquito bites.

You are in the right place!

We all love the summer seasons, except for the fact that they come with these pesky insects called “Mosquitos” that do nothing but wreak havoc on our skin even with a single bite. Each bite from these mosquitos leaves us with different skin trauma such as itchiness, annoying dark spots, and even discoloration, in some cases. And the part of the body that suffers the most, is the legs which leave us wondering how to remove dark spots on our legs from mosquito bites!

And this is because some of these symptoms do disappear after some days but not all, and even when they do, they usually leave behind a permanent reminder (SCARS). So, at the end of this guide, you will know how these scars form in the first place, how to remove or treat them, and how you can even prevent them from occurring in the first place.

 

So, make sure you read to the end!

 

Before we jump right into the different dimensions of mosquito scar treatment, let’s first look at how mosquito bites result in scars.

 

How Do Mosquito Scars Form?

 

Mosquito bites are more dangerous than bites from any other bug in the world. They are dangerous because when a mosquito bites you, the bite may disappear in a couple of days, but the bite comes with severe effects such as – itchiness – redness, and even inflammation.

 

Now, just like Marthe Dika (a Wisconsin dermatologist at Forefront Dermatology) said, most wounds heal with time, which is naturally true. But in the case where your blemish stays on your skin for long, or the healing process leaves you with scars, then there are three reasons for this.

 

It could be –

• Allergies
• Inflammation, or
• Infection

After the first symptom goes away, it leaves dark spots on the skin that appear in a circular pinhole. Such is often called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a type of blemish that slowly disappears after a few months. Though they do fade away with time, after-care is important because you may not know the depth of your scaring and its aftermath.

 

For that, we are going to look at how to deal with these spots with home remedies, and over-the-counter treatments, as well as how medical doctors can help you target the problem.

 

Let’s start with using over-the-counter products.

 

Source: (Unsplash)

How To Remove Dark Spots on Legs From Mosquito Bites With OTC (Over The Counter) Products

 

Mosquito Bite Cream – (Bleaching Cream)

Bleaching creams that contain hydroquinone help to fade away the appearance of scars like dark spots and even stretch marks. It goes right into the skin and targets the root cause of both dark – brown – purple or bright red scars, which is hyperpigmentation.

 

Such cream will help to reduce the brightness of these scars in a short while and make them less noticeable.

 

For this reason, I recommend –

 

Source: (Amazon) Centella Sensitive Cica-Cream

 

But you should take that the ingredient hydroquinone can cause trouble to some people, especially if the concentration is over 2%. That is why it was bound to the European region. The European Union considers hydroquinone as a carcinogenic member which can provoke skin cancer.

 

So, you may not be able to find it in Europe, but you can find it in the USA but with a concentration as low as 2%. 

 

Now, in the absence of this product, you can use an anti-itching cream.

 

Anti-Itching Cream

In a general nutshell, this is something not too many people can overcome, (Itching). It may feel very sweet and tend to make you feel relieved. But on the flip side, it rather adds to the skin problem. Besides causing hyperpigmentation, it adds more scratch wounds on the already wounded area of your skin, which ends up opening the door for bacteria to trip in and cause more infection.

 

So, an anti-itching cream will help you take care of any mosquito bite itches and scars.

 

For this reason, I recommend –

 

Source: (Amazon) Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Gel

Scar Reducing Gels & Creams

The market is crowded with tones and tones of products with claims and promises of fading scar appearance or even wiping it completely, all in a bit to earn sales. But the truth about cosmetic products is that the results you get all depend on how severe your scar is.

 

Remember the proverb that says “The solution to a problem depends on the nature of the problem”.

 

For that reason, we recommend –

 

Source: (Amazon) Mederma Advanced Scar Gel

 

But for optimal results, you need to use it for a minimum of six (6) months, followed by three (3) to four (4) daily applications. An alternative to this is Vita-K. It will also perform the same magic.

 

Scar Silicone Sheets

Using these scars sheets is also another good way to deal with your scars. They are self-adhesive and will stick well on your skin as the silicone technology hydrates your skin, soften and fade away from your scars.

 

Source: (Amazon) ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets

No, be patient and keep working. You will see results with time. Put the sheet on the scar area of your skin at different intervals for a total of twelve (12) hours a day, for a period of like 3 months, and you are good to go.

 

Chemical Peels

Because chemical peels are exfoliators that are in charge of kicking away dead skin cells and renewing the surface of your skin, they will facilitate the scar removal process. It is called “Cellular turnover”. A process that effectively removes minor scars from any area of the body.

 

But the fact that it is a chemical peel, you should go for one that is a gentle exfoliator. And based on your skin type, your choice of the chemical peel should contain salicylic or lactic acid, glycolic acid, retinoic acid, as well as Jessner solution.

 

Chemical peel recommendation –

 

Source: (Platinumskincare) Platinum Skin Care TCA Peel 13%

Take note of this –

• The 7% is recommended for taking care of the eye area and is good for sensitive skin.
• The 13% is recommended for taking care of dark spots and is good for dark skin types.
• The 20% comes in for those who have first completed five (5) layers of TCA 13% without seeing the result.
• And 30% is recommended for general body peel. It can be diluted into a lower concentration before using for optimal results.

 

Now because you are only trying to treat dark spots, it is recommended to go for TCA 13% and follow the instruction about using the above. The 13% is our #1 recommendation because it contains menthol which is soothing to stinging and helps reduces irritation, and also cool-action which makes the peeling experience more comfortable.

 

But if you find the Platinum Skin Care TCA Peel 13% not very budget-friendly, then you can go for –

 

Source: (Amazon) Glycolix Elite Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Peel

Tea Tree Oil

 

Tea tree oil is a very good antiseptic that works against bacteria on the skin while reducing allergic skin reactions which makes it one of the best OTC products for tackling any bug bite. Besides working against bacteria and preventing further damage, tea tree oil also combats breakouts.

 

My tea tree oil recommendation –

 

 

Source: (Nowfoods)

Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide which helps to prevent a microbial attack, and 0.5% ferric oxide, which is an anti-itch agent. It takes good care of any remnant from mosquito bites, be it inflammation or itchiness. It will help with inflammation and irritation.

 

Calamine oil recommendation –

 

Source: (Amazon)

Up&Up Calamine Skin Protectant Lotion

 

While zinc on the other hand, besides its useful function in taking care of dark spots, it also has a lot of healthy values to the body such as –

• Wound healing
• Boosting our immune system
• Assisting protein synthesis & growth

 

Calamine lotion has been proven to assist both the wound healing and the regeneration process and also deflects the sun’s UV rays to protect the skin when used topically. Though there are claims that it can be used during pregnancy without any side effects, I still think you should contact your medical professional if you must use it during pregnancy.

 

At least to know if there will be any negative chemical reaction in case it comes in contact with any other medicine you may be taking at the time.

 

Home Remedies

 

Vitamin E Oil

 

Being used for many years by health and beauty addicts, vitamin E oil has been proven to be a perfect scar treatment. User experience data shows that it acts as a moisturizer, and also contains antioxidant properties which make it an ideal skin-repairing agent while helping with the appearance of dark spots.

 Vitamin E capsules can be used orally or topically.

 

To use it topically, burst the capsule and lightly massage the oil on the affected part of your skin. 

 

But to start with, first, give it a try on a sensitive part of your skin like – your inner wrist – and the back of your ear, before any general use. I mean before using it on a larger area of your skin.

 

This is because some people turn to suffer an allergic reaction to vitamin E oil, which ends up leaving them with contact dermatitis. Again, as you set to use vitamin E oil whether topically or orally, stick to the recommended daily dose.

 

Olive Oil

Now, in case you couldn’t lay your hands on vitamin E oil, olive oil (which happens to be a natural scar treatment and has been used for years to reduce dark scar appearance), is there to do the job.

And for optimal results, extra olive oil is preferable because it contains a higher level of acidic properties and vitamins E & K than other olive oil. 

 

Olive oil helps to soften and moisturizes the skin. This process slackens the scar tissues while the acidic content takes care of exfoliating the skin surface washing away the dark surface of the skin and leaving you with fresh and renewed skin.

 

Just get some extra olive oil (about a teaspoon), and massage the affected area of your skin in a circular motion until it is completely absorbed into the skin.

 

Olive Oil & Baking Soda

A good mixture of olive oil and baking soda will produce a fine blend of exfoliating scrub. Just get some baking soda (about one teaspoon), and some olive oil and mix them to produce this scrub. Massage this scrub onto the affected area of your skin, and then rinse with lukewarm water.

 

Olive Oil & Other Oil

Mixing olive oil with other oils like – 

• Calendula oil
• Rosehip oil
• Chamomile oil

 

will improve the soothing ability of olive oil and boost the effectiveness of the scar treatment. Just get one part of these other oils and mix it with olive oil and massage the scars.

 

Aloe Vera

 

We choose aloe vera because of its moisturizing and soothing effect. Not only is it an effective treatment for burns, but it is also an effective treatment for scars. Besides its soothing and moisturizing effects, it also contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which make aloe vera ideal enough for treating fresh scars naturally and very effectively. 

 

And also helps the skin regeneration process.

 

NOTE: – Must not be used on open wounds!

 

To use aloe vera, all you need to do is get an aloe vera leave and break it into different pieces and squeeze it to collect the juice. Use the gel-like juice that comes out and massage the affected area of your skin in a circular motion as well.

You can maintain a daily dose of four (4) applications.

 

In the case where you can’t find aloe vera plants around, you can use any available aloe vera cream or lotion. There are lots of aloe vera products on the store shelf that contains the same extract from aloe vera and will do the same job.

 

Lemon Juice

 

Am sure you already know that lemon juice has always been one of the best home remedies, not only for scar treatment but for many other skin issues. The acidic content in lemon makes lemon juice such a bleaching agent which exfoliates the skin, helps the regeneration process of the skin, and also brightens scars.

  

NOTE: – As good as lemon juice for scar removal may be, it has not been proven scientifically to be a scar remover, hence dermatologists do not recommend its use of it. And this is because the acidic content in lemon makes it harsh on the skin, and causes more skin dryness.

  

So, this option will be entirely your choice, but if you must give it a try, I recommend you test it first before full use. If you finally decide to use it, cut the lemon into pieces and squeeze out the juice into the affected area and leave it on for some time, maybe hours, or even for an entire night before washing off. 

 

Some people even dilute it with water or cucumber to make it mild before using it. You can do the same if you think it can be harsh on your skin, but make sure you maintain a daily use of just one time per day, not twice.

 

That being said, let’s move to the next!

 

Cucumber

 

Cucumber helps to break scar tissue down in a safer condition than lemon juice. On top of that, it is also cooling and soothing to the affected area of the skin in case there is any inflammation. 

 

But cucumber will be a good idea for fresh scars and not older scars. So, first understand the state of your scars, before settling for cucumber if you must use natural treatment.

 

When you finally decide to use cucumber, chop it into slices and throw it into a blender. Blend very well to produce a fine paste. Collect the paste and spread a nice thin layer of it onto the affected area of your skin. You can still spread a thicker layer, it’s up to you, and let it sit on the skin for like 20 minutes, and wash away with water.

 

And save the remainder of the cucumber somewhere in a fridge. If well kept, can stay safe for days, so just take good care of it and keep using it in like manner every night. When you do a mixture of this cucumber paste with maybe lemon juice, aloe vera, or olive oil, you will end with a more effective treatment.

 

Cocoa Butter

 

Cocoa butter is another excellent natural agent for scar brightening. It softens both the inner and outer layers of the skin, making treatment easier. It also moisturizes and smoothens the skin which helps with fading scar appearance.

 

You cannot be limited to the use of it, you can either use pure cocoa butter or in case you can’t lay your hands on any, you can as well go for cocoa butter lotions from the store shelf.

 

There are tons of them available!

 

Apply the cocoa butter to the affected area of your skin and give it a thorough massage until it is well absorbed into the skin. Now, as much as using cocoa butter on older scars will still produce results, it should be noted that cocoa butter works better on fresh scars than on older scars. 

 

And make sure you stick to the recommended daily use of 2 to 4 uses a day.

 

Lemon & Tomato

 

In the previous section we talked about using lemon juice, but a mixture of it with tomato will help clear the scar, and also stimulate tissue growth. What you do is get a tomato and make a paste, add a few drops of lemon juice, apply on the scarred skin, and let it sit for like 10 minutes. And wash off with water.

As I said above, avoid any more than one-time use of lemon juice per day.

 

Lemon & Banana

 

I know this may sound strange and weird, but it has been proven to help with scar appearance, in case the scar is a result of cellular inflammation or a result of the poor healing process of the scar.

 

In this case, you should consider giving this option a try.

To use them, get one banana and mash it in a bowl, and add some lemon juice it (about half). Mix well to produce a fine blend of the two. Then spread the paste on the scar and let it sit for some time before you wash it off.

 

For the most effective result with this option, apply every evening before bedtime for three (3) weeks.

 

Sandalwood Paste & Turmeric

 

A mixture of sandalwood and turmeric will do two things to your skin.

• Lighten up your scars
• Boosts the healing process of the skin

This process gives your skin a more soothing effect. To make the healing process more effective, make a lotion out of the combination of sandalwood oil and Kasturi Turmeric Powder. Mix very well and apply on the affected area of your skin let it sit for 15 minutes, and rinse with water thoroughly.

 

Toothpaste

 

Now, I have to be honest with you guys, this is an overlooked and underused option because we believe toothpaste is only made for the tooth. But they are also very good at healing those small swellings and the marks as well.

How to Reduce Scar Appearance

 

Know The Nature of Your Scar

Because the solution to a problem depends on the nature of the problem, it all starts with knowing the nature of your scars before you choose any of the treatment options above, because treatment intended for a specific scar, will not work for another nature of the scar.

 

So, make sure you use the right treatment on the right scar before start saying these things don`t work. And if you are still confused about it, then you better consult a dermatologist to determine your scar before settling on any of the treatments.

 

Here are the different scars that have been gathered for this guide –

• Atrophic Scars – These are remnants of chickenpox or severe acne.
• Contracture Scar – These are scars obtained from serious burns and they usually cover a larger area of the skin. If the burns took place around the joint, the scar may potentially cause limitations to body movement.
• Keloid Scars – These are the remnants of an aggressive wound-healing process. They are usually growth-like, and large, and can even grow larger with time, and if properly treated, can return to normal. You will commonly find such scars on people with dark skin tones.
• Hypertrophic Scars – Hypertrophic scars are merely raised scars and are usually red or pink. You read the proverb “time heals the scar” somewhere above. This is the scar that the above proverb applies to. They do fade away with time. They are usually remnants of surgery or burns and are very itchy.
• Stretch Marks – Stretch mark scars are a result of either gaining or losing weight rapidly. They are usually reddish-purple and thin in size. They are very common in pregnant women but will fade away with time, and in some cases, become whitish.
• Dark Spots – Well, don’t get me wrong for saying dark spots are not scars. But post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is caused by bites from either mosquitos or other insects.

Next Step

 

Now that you know the type of scar that you have, here are steps that will equally help slow the appearance of scarring on your skin.

 

Never Wait to Commence Treatment on Your Scar

Start the treatment immediately after you notice the first appearance. Use the right treatment for the right scar (you now have good knowledge of that). But treatment should commence after the wound is completely healed.

 

This is because it is easier to treat a scar at an early stage, rather than when it gets older. So, don`t wait for your scars to get older before you get up and start, start right away, and besides, starting on time will save you a great deal of money and time.

 

Regularly Exfoliate Your Skin

The natural rejuvenating process of the skin will gradually eliminate the appearance of scars with time. They may even end up disappearing for good and allowing old skin layers to fall out and letting new ones grow.

 

So, regular exfoliation with maybe a bristled brush or a body scrub will facilitate this process.

 

But you should avoid exfoliating healing wounds or fresh scars. Because scrubbing aggressively may interrupt the healing process and even worsen fresh scars.

So, you should exfoliate, but take note of these fine prints!

 

Apply Sunscreen

I know you may be wondering what has sunscreen got to do with a scar treatment equation. Well, sunscreen actually may not have anything to do with treating scars.

 

But the thing is this –

 

First, new scars are more sensitive to the sun’s UVA rays, and since the sun is a melanin booster, (which increases and can even worsen the appearance of dark spots), sunscreen, which intends, to deflect the sun’s UV rays from the skin, will help reduce the appearance of dark spots.

 

So, when you apply sunscreen on the spot from the onset, it works against the enzyme that boosts the skin pigment.

 

Sunscreen recommendation –

 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide SPF 50

 

But if your scars are larger, or you have them on a part of your skin that is more exposed than other parts of your body to sunlight, then that will require a minimum of one year of frequent sunscreen use.

 

Apply Concealer

You might have a concealer somewhere in your drawer and not know the magic it can do when it comes to scars. Concealers are good at hiding scars. But your choice of concealer should answer your skin type. When applying your concealer, blend in your surrounding skin very well. 

 

A waterproof concealer will be best if you are not sure of the weather condition you are about to step into. And if your scars are that bad, you may want to consider theatrical makeup. Because it is thicker than your regular makeup.

 

Give Your Leg A Regular & Thorough Massage

The tissues on your legs that cause the skin on your leg to scar (fibrous tissues), can be broken down with a regular and thorough massage. Massage also boosts blood circulation which helps discoloration.

 

Reducing The Swelling

There are several ways by which you can reduce inflammation, but ice has been proven to be the best among them all. It reduces the temperature around the skin tissue, which helps to break down the level after damage.

It also prevents the skin surrounding from turning red or getting irritated.

 

When to See a Doctor

If a mosquito bites last more than one week or start to show symptoms of infection, then there is a need for you to seek medical attention. Sometimes, bites from some of these mosquitoes or other insects can leave us with allergic reactions. And on an extreme level, it can degenerate into anaphylactic shock.

 

So, if after being bitten by a mosquito or any other insect and you end up with the below symptom, you should quickly see a doctor.

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hives or swelling
• Breathing problems

My Thought

People are different. Therefore, everybody does not end up with scars or a scar after a bite by a mosquito. Some people are allergic to mosquito bites, while some are not. But if your case leaves you with an infection, you are likely to end up with scars.

 

If that is what you are experiencing, then OTC remedies will work well for you.

But in the case where the bite stays for more than one week, then you should see your doctor for appropriate treatment.

 

And if you are doing well with either the OTC remedy option, or the home remedy option, and you notice discoloration, then you have to stop at once. If any treatment causes discoloration, it can potentially cause new and additional dark spots.

 

A report from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says “After successfully treating the root cause of dark spots, any leftover will take a period of 6 to 12 months to disappear. That is why the daily use of sunscreen is highly recommended.

 

Make no mistake about that!

 

Conclusion

Now that you have a piece of good knowledge of how to remove dark spots on legs from mosquito bites, tell me in the comment section below which of the methods you find best, and why you think it is. And if you enjoyed this guide, then do me a favor of sharing so others can learn as well.