For african american women……why is my neck darker??
There are usually two main reasons but there can be others as well. So……..if it doesn’t get better, please see your doctor.
The two most common reasons are: sun and/or irritation. When sun hits darker skin, it rarely burns it, but it does cause “tanning” which turns the skin darker. If it’s this problem, using a sunscreen with at least 10-20% zinc or titanium (the best UVA & UVB blockers) will really help. Also………wear a hat with wide brim every time you are outside!!! If you sweat on your neck, you may need to reapply frequently. A link to a good sunscreen for this problem. It will take 3-6 months for the “tan” to go away. More on pigment problems here.
Secondly, any time darker gets irritated, even a little, it will often darken (temporarily). This can be hard to figure out………..it could be many things……spraying perfume on the back of your neck, your hair care products, your skincare products, etc. You may have to be a detective and ask for help from your doctor.
If you find the cause, stop the irritant and again, keep the skin away from all sun/light for awhile. It takes several months for this to get better. It’s okay to use hydrocortisone 1% on this for a week or two, but you must see a doctor before you use it for longer than that. It can make certain skin conditions worse! Several gentle lightening products here.
Hope this helps, Dr. I