By Patricia Uyeh

Having dark patches around the neck can quite embarrassing. Dark neck is usually caused by aging and sun exposure.

Other causes include diabetes, genetics, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), poor hygiene and sudden weight loss or gain. Dark necks are not infectious or contagious. While some people treat this skin anomaly with non-natural skin lightening products, others opt for natural remedies.

If you belong to the latter, the following natural remedies would be useful to you:

1. Cucumber

This can be used to improve the appearance of your neck area, as it has soothing properties that help repair skin cells, remove dead skin cells and add glow to the skin. To do this, apply grated cucumber or cucumber juice all over your neck and gently scrub for about 10 minutes. Wash it off with rose water or cold water.

2. Lemon juice

Lemon has citric acid, which is a natural bleaching agent. Also, the vitamin C present in lemon helps remove dead cells and lighten skin tone. Hence, lemon can be used to effectively lighten the dark complexion of your neck area.

3. Aloe vera
This is a kind of natural skin lightener and also moisturizes the skin. It can lighten skin colour to a great extent and reduce various skin spots. Extract pure Aloe Vera gel from the leaf. Apply it directly on the neck and gently massage it. Leave it on for about twenty minutes and wash it off with water.

Photo credit: Huffington post, Dr Mee Lain Ling, Pinterest