Our skin color depends on the color of the pigment under the skin. When sunlight falls on the skin, pigment becomes darker to protect us from UV rays coming from sun. May be your back and neck area is exposed to sun so it has developed tan. If that is the case, you can not lighten it, but you can develop the tan for rest of the body by exposing it daily 20 minutes to sunlight when light is not very strong. say at sunrise and sunset.
On the other hand, if the darkness is in patches, not a tan, then lightening can be carried out by taking lemon water thrice a day. 1 lemon juice in a glass of water, 2 pinches sea salt and jaggery or honey as sweetener. This is to be taken three times a day. This detoxes the body, lightening the skin, in a months time.
A week long fast using fruit juices alone will cause lightening of the skin. This fast should be carried out while taking lemon water thrice a day.
Avoid spicy, fried, mutton, chicken, eggs, dairy, bakery food made from refined floor. Leafy veggies soups made by boiling them for 2-3 minutes also help lightening the skin.

Skin whitening is a prime objective of skincare for many women, with hyper pigmentation due to sun damage or hormones now considered as much of an aging factor as wrinkling. Many cosmetics companies claim that their products provide skin whitening or brightening, but there are only a few active ingredients that really are able to fade skin discolorations. The most effective ingredients for skin whitening are hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin, and vitamin C. Avoid treatments that contain mercury, because though it’s effective, it’s highly toxic.

Skin Whitening Products
Hydroquinone is the most common skin whitening ingredient used in the U.S. It is available in concentrations of up to 2% in over-the-counter products, and stronger solutions (up to 4%) can be prescribed by a dermatologist. However, hydroquinone is banned in Europe and parts of Asia and Africa due to fear of a cancer risk. Hydroquinone works by inhibiting melanin production and is very effective after 4 weeks of continuous treatment; using hydroquinone products for longer than 3 months is not recommended, however, because overuse can actually cause darkening of the skin.
Kojic acid also inhibits melanin production. Derived from a fungus, it is a more natural skin whitening alternative to hydroquinone. Kojic acid is more effective when combined with glycolic acid, and can be extremely irritating to sensitive skin, so try a small test patch first. People using kojic acid products will usually see results within 8 weeks. Many Japanese skin whitening products use kojic acid as the active ingredient. Recent studies have also called kojic acid’s safety into question, however.
Arbutin is a relatively new skin whitening ingredient that is made from bear berry extract. Since it also has soothing properties, it’s an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. However, it hasn’t been tested as extensively as the other skin whitening treatments, so its efficacy is as yet unproven.
Vitamin C can also be effective at inhibiting melanin production. However, the tests that show it to be effective have used a concentration of over 5%, which is much more than what is usually used in cosmetic products. Vitamin C is also notoriously unstable, which means that by the time a cosmetic product containing it gets home to you it may have broken down and become useless. For this reason, Vitamin C is a last resort skin whitening treatment for those who can’t use the other topical treatments for one reason or another.
For those for whom topical skin whitening treatments don’t work, laser resurfacing or visible pulsed light treatments, available from a dermatologist’s office, may do the trick. These treatments, which need to be repeated periodically to be effective, cost from $3,000-$5,000 for a set of four treatments. Laser resurfacing and visible pulsed light are not recommended for people with dark skin, as they can leave disfiguring scars.
Whichever active skin whitening treatment you choose, make sure to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 daily. Using skin whitening treatments without sunscreen actually accelerates sun damage and makes it worse.


Some of my fav tips for skin lightening

In summer face skin pigmentation becomes plainly visible. Those, who know what this is, agree with me that it is not good-looking. Are there any means helping to get rid of pigmental spots? Yes, there are some. Cosmetologists usually advise to use whitening and peeling means. Of course you can use natural means too.
For example, lemon juice, viburnum juice, and also juice of red currant, sauerkraut, fresh cucumber, parsley, grapefruit. You always find the whitening mean in every season. You’ll get the good result making compresses with wine vinegar and clabber. Wet wad of cotton wool in 5% solution of vinegar and put on the pigmental spot. In 10 minutes put compress from clabber mixed with wheat flour on the same place. Proportion is ¼ glass of clabber to 1 tea-spoon of flour. Make such compress every day for one week and then every other day. When spots become lighter use this procedure once a week.Mask from sauerkraut can be made every day. Wet napkins in the juice of sauerkraut and put on the pigmental areas 3 times one by one for 10 minutes.
Mask from beans is easy-made and effective. Pour 1,5 glass of beans with 1,5 glass of water and keep to infuse for 36 hours. Then knead, squeeze and add juice of one lemon. Put this mixture on the face before going to bed. If skin is oily, make this mask every other day, if skin is dry, make mask twice a week.

For Glowing skin
A facemask of egg white and honey gently removes the tan from your face.
Mix oats with honey, yogurt and ground almonds. Apply this in your face, leave it for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Cucumber is a natural cleanser. Mix cucumber juice with milk and use it instead of a cleanser.
For oily skin, apply a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. While lemon acts as a natural cleanser, grapes will soften your skin and egg whites will tighten it. Don’t be alarmed if your skin tingles.
Cut the lemon and rub the wedge all over your face. Leave it for about 20 minutes, then rinse off with cold water. This will refresh your face. Avoid doing this if you have dry skin.
Mix honey, lemon and vegetable oil .This mixture is a good moisturiser for dry skin. Apply this mask for 10 minutes.
Apply the mixture of honey and milk on the face . This will make your skin glow.
Prepare a mask by mixing a slice of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Let this mask set on your face for 30 minutes for a glowing skin.
Mix half-a-cup honey to your bath water for soft and smooth skin.
For a soothing body pack, prepare a paste of mint leaves and almonds. Mix it with warm water and apply all over your body. Leave it till it dries and rinse with warm water.
Buttermilk dabbed on skin for 15 minutes will soak up oil from your skin without drying it.
Carrot juice applied daily fades blemishes.
For dark underarms and neck apply lemon juice mixed with cucumber juice and a pinch of turmeric daily. Leave this on for 20 minutes.
For removing facial hair.. Apply a sticky paste of egg white blended with sugar and corn flour. When it dries, gently peel it off. Repeat this three to four times a week.
Thin apple slices rubbed onto oily skin will help in controlling oily shine.
For supple skin, apply a ripe smashed banana on your face for 20 minutes daily.
Cauliflower juice applied on warts regularly will make them fall.
For a fair skin, try this natural bleach. Mix orange peels (sun dried and powdered) with milk. Apply this paste for 25 minutes and wash off.
Mix half teaspoon dried curry leaf powder with multani mitti (fullers earth) and apply on the face. Wash it after it gets dry.
Apply the mixture of tomato juice and honey on the face and neck , wash it after 15 minutes.
Apply the mixture of carrot juice and basin. Leave it till it dries and wash the face.
Add two teaspoon of tomato juice with 4 teaspoon of curd and apply on the face.
Add a pinch of yeast with 2 teaspoon of cabbage juice and apply.
Mix 1 table spoon of barley powder with half teaspoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply it on the face and wash after 20 minutes.
Mix pineapple juice and carrot juice together and apply it on the face and wash it after 15 minutes.
Mix vinegar and rose water in equal quantities and apply.
Mix curd and cucumber juice and apply it on the face.
Apply the mixture of coconut water and thick pineapple juice.
Make a paste with 1/2 teaspoon of milk powder, 1/4 teaspoon of egg white and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and apply on the face.
For dry skin, Make a paste with egg yolk, olive oil and lemon juice. Apply it on the neck and face, wash it out after 10 minutes.
For oily skin, take a mixture of oatmeal and egg white and apply it on the neck and face
For glowing skin, use basin or green gram powder mixed with milk instead of soap.
Apply the mixture of raw turmeric and cream of milk on the face and wash it after 20 minutes. It will make your skin fair.
Apply the mixture of honey, basin, cream of milk and olive oil as a face pack.
Apply the paste of fenugreek with milk on the face and let it dry. Wash off with luke warm water.
Make a paste of red sandal wood and apply it on the face every day for glowing skin.
Make a paste with red sandal powder and coconut milk and apply on the face for soft skin.

For Black Spots
Make a paste with mehndi and oil and apply on the face
Make a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and glycerin and apply it on the spots
Apply the paste of turmeric and curry leaves on the face and wash it after 15 minutes.
Apply a mixture of mehndi and turmeric. For a piece of turmeric, 2-3 leaves of mehndi are used
Grind dried basil leaf, neem and mint (100 gm each). Add some turmeric powder and rose water to make it in a paste form and apply it on the spots.
Grind betel leaf and add a little coconut oil and apply it on the spots
Soak a chappathi in milk overnight . Make it into a paste and apply it on black heads. Repeat for several days
Make a paste of saffron and add some honey , apply it on the face to remove black spots.
To remove black spots... apply a paste of turmeric and basil.
To remove wrinkles on the face, apply a mixture of sandalwood powder, rosewater and glycerin. Wash with cold water after some time

Few very good masks to lighten the skin tone and add a glow to the complexion. continue to care your skin is always important to maintain your skin and look fresh all the time.

Mix 1 table spoon of milk powder, 1 table spoon of honey, 1 table spoon of lemon juice, and ½ table spoon of almond oil. Apply on face and wash off after 10-15 minutes. This pack helps bring shine to the skin and also removes tan.

You can do a fairness massage easily at the privacy of your home. Soak four almonds overnight. In the morning remove their skin and grind them fine. Make a paste by adding one teaspoon of gram flour, one teaspoon of milk and four drops of limejuice. A regular massage with this paste will assure a long lasting fairness to you.

For 15 days, apply a paste of gram flour (besan), milk (2 teaspoon) and lime juice(3-4 drops) on face and neck for 15 minutes and wash with water. You complexion should improve. Repeat every 2 weeks.

SANDALWOOD:This is best home remedy for dark skin. Sandalwood is one of the most expensive, most exotic, and most aromatic plants known to humans. Sandalwood has a use in treating most skin problems. It is a cooling agent, stimulant, and blood purifier. It protects skin from the sun's rays, acts an anti-aging agent, and keeps skin smooth and aromatic. Sandalwood is extremely effective on pimples, prickly heat, skin eruptions, itching, rashes, spots, freckles, and swellings.

Mix oatmeal with yogurt and tomato juice and apply on the face. Wash it with cold water after 15 minutes.Apply a mixture of 3-4 drops of lime juice and a grated tomato on face and neck for 15 minutes for 15 days. Wash with cold water.Mix almond, neem leaf , turmeric, sandlewood and poppy seeds. Blend this mixture into a fine paste using milk . Apply this paste on face and allow it to dry. remove the dried mask by massaging your face in circular motion and wash your face using luke warm water.

Wheat germ scrub: Ingredients: 1 tablespoon oatmeal powder1 tablespoon wheat germ (powder)1 tablespoon skimmed milk powder1 teaspoon sandal wood powder.

Rose:This is a popular herb for dark skin. Rose oil is a cooling agent and is excellent for tired skin. It is a good source of vitamins C and E. Rose oil has a very pleasant fragrance to it. It removes dead cells from the skin, and provides relief from burns. It slows the aging process and balances the skin's chemistry. Rose oil is used for cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and nourishing of the skin.Mash the cucumber with the skin still on to get the juice. You may then need to squeeze the juice out with your hands.

You can use lime juice with haldi and besan, and scrub your face with this to try and remove the tan. However. simply applying lime juice and cucumber will help lighten skin over time.

Fair look, dry skin:Apply a mixture of equal amounts of cucumber juice and honey on the face and whole body. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off.

Fair look, oily skin:Apply a mixture of equal amounts of lemon and cucumber juice on the face and whole body. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off.

Even though these tips may improve your overall skin complexion, don't expect to wake up 5 shades lighter.
Love the skin your in!
There is no magic potion to instantly give you fair skin if you have dusky complexion.
This is your skin..so respect it and love it..
All parts of our body including our skin are precious gifts of nature. The skin that we live in is the largest organ of the human body. We all admire, revere and desire beautiful, flawless skin. Having bad skin can be a physical as well as an emotional threat. But the good news is that nature has provided us with many things to combat skin problems and heal them. Many people have problems with their skin colour. The dusky ones want to be fair; the fair ones want to look tanned. Finally, no one loves what they have. The saying rightly goes, 'the grass is always greener on the other side'. The desire for a different skin tone rather than healthy skin usually ends in making huge investments in having a whiter or tanned skin. But such skin obtained with cosmetics and bleaching is temporary. Bleaching face using chemical products not only harms skin but also makes it rough. Tanners can be bad for skin. Similarly getting a plastic surgery done for your skin requires lots of money. Remember your skin belongs to you whether dark or fair. It makes you different from the rest. So put your money to good use and read on so that you learn to love your natural skin.