Natural treatments and home remedies are the first stop for most when attempting to treat dark pigmentation and skin spots. Top of the list of things to try is lemon. Readily available and well known for its anti-bacterial properties, lets look at a few ways you can use lemon for hyperpigmentation and how it may help in getting a more even skin tone.

Lemon is popular for treating many different pigmentation problems, it can be used for acne scarring (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation), melasma, freckles, skin discolorations, old scars and for evening skin tone. Lemon contains a natural bleaching agent which is well known as a method for lightening hair color, but it can also be used on the skin to lighten darker areas.

• Popular ways to use lemon on the skin.

1. The easiest way is to apply slices directly onto the skin. Apply for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, then wash the skin thoroughly with warm water.

2. You can also apply fresh lemon juice to the skin. Squeeze the juice into a glass and apply to skin with a cotton pad or ball. Again, wash thoroughly afterwards with warm water.

3. The juice can also be mixed with other fruits such as lime and grapefruit and applied in the same way.

Remember that lemon is a very acidic fruit, and when first starting out it's best to try it your skin for few minutes at a time until you know that your skin will not react or become irritated. Try these methods every other day until you are confident that your skin can cope. Excessive use can cause hypersensitivity, so be careful how much you use.

Some people may find that their skin is too sensitive to apply the juice neat, so mixing it with other soothing natural ingredients can be a better choice.

• If you find your skin is too sensitive to neat lemon juice.

1. Combine the juice with a natural yoghurt, and apply to the skin. Yoghurt also has a lightening effect on the skin but will sooth and calm the skin.

2. Mix the juice with a natural oil such as coconut or almond. These oils will help sooth the dehydrating effect of the lemon.

• Making a face mask

Mix some natural yoghurt with a cupful of cooked oatmeal and add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply to the face and leave for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and apply a natural moisturizer, aloe based creams are good.

Remember that with all hyperpigmentation treatments, nothing is going to happen overnight, and you should try these methods for a month, possibly two, before you may see any results. If lemon doesn't work for you, don't be despondent, there are many more natural hyperpigmentation remedies, and always remember that what works for some may not work for others.