This may be due to hormones, sun exposure, or other skin-related conditions. A person whose neck darkens or turns black may also notice changes to the texture of their skin, such as thickening or feeling softer than the surrounding skin.
Causes of hyperpigmentation include: Skin inflammation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) Use of certain drugs (such as minocycline, certain cancer chemotherapies, and birth control pills) Hormone system diseases such as Addison disease.
Causes of Dark Neck
In some cases, the skin on the neck may appear darker after overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays or from hormonal changes. Certain skin conditions may cause dark neck, too.
Our face skin produces more melanin compared to the rest of the body, so our face skin is generally a bit darker. The harmful rays of the sunlight can damage the melanin cells and as the face is more exposed to sunlight, it is the first to be impacted.
A dark patch (or band) of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could mean that you have too much insulin in your blood. This is often a sign of prediabetes. The medical name for this skin condition is acanthosis nigricans.
When a person has chronically high insulin levels, they can experience areas of hyperpigmentation on the neck, especially on the back of the neck. This occurrence is common in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). LPP is an inflammatory condition that causes scarring to develop on areas of the body.
PCOS. Women with PCOS have higher levels of the hormone, insulin, in their blood. Higher levels of insulin can sometimes cause patches of darkened skin on the back of the neck, under the arms, and in the groin area.
Stress and pigmentation
It's also worth noting that increased inflammation in the skin (also triggered by stress) is another trigger for hyperpigmentation. This type of “stress” pigmentation has a tendency to start on the outer periphery of the face and spread inward.
Skin aging is induced and sustained by chronological aging and photoaging. Aging skin pigmentation such as mottled pigmentation (senile lentigo) and melasma are typical signs of photoaging. The skin, like other human organs, undergoes cellular senescence, and senescent cells in the skin increase with age.
The Cause: You're forgetting to moisturize regularly.
Dryness is the most common cause of dull face skin. It creates cracks in skin's surface and causes dead skin cells to build up, making the complexion look uneven and lackluster, says Kenneth Howe, M.D., a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in NYC.
Treatment. Primary treatment of acanthosis nigricans aims to correct the underlying cause. It is reversible and will disappear as the cause is treated. Weight loss and reversing insulin resistance are the most effective ways to eliminate the skin changes.
If you notice darkening around your neck, you must visit a doctor. A black neck is sometimes a sign of thyroid and pre-diabetes. [4] Doctors can diagnose its cause by examining the affected area. They may check your blood sugar levels and recommend other tests such as X-rays and blood tests if necessary.
Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that causes areas of dark, thick velvety skin in body folds and creases. It typically affects the armpits, groin and neck. Acanthosis nigricans (ak-an-THOE-sis NIE-grih-kuns) tends to affect people with obesity.
In people with polycystic ovary syndrome, skin in the armpits, on the nape of the neck, and in skinfolds may become dark and thick (a disorder called acanthosis nigricans). In dark-skinned people, the skin may have a leathery appearance (bottom photo).
How to use: Take two tablespoons of besan (gram flour), half teaspoon lemon juice, a dash of turmeric, and some rose water (or milk). Mix all of them and form a medium consistency paste. Apply the mixture on your neck, leave it on for about fifteen minutes, and rinse with water. You can repeat this remedy twice a week.
The characteristic dermatological sign of vitamin B 12 deficiency is cutaneous pigmentation, which can be reversed by administration of vitamin B 12 .
Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to rid skin of hyperpigmentation. These procedures work to gently remove the top layer of your skin where the dark spots lie.
The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.