A healthy and glowing skin is a direct reflection of one’s lifestyle and there are some disorders that can damage self esteem to a great limit. Melasma is one such disorder that is typically a skin affliction. The skin condition resembles blue-gray spots and is usually witnessed in women who are near their reproductive years. Also known as mask of pregnancy or Chloasma Faciei, people who’ve had a history of regular sun exposure are commonly affected by hyper-pigmentation.
So, what causes Melasma skin affliction?
- UV light rays
- Genetic predisposition
- Patients suffering from thyroid disease
- Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy
- Using different types of cosmetics
- Facial surgeries which causes allergies to skin
- Over production of Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Excessive use of birth control pills
- Facial pigmentation
Watch out for the symptoms
- Occurs on the neck, cheeks, chin, forehead, nose, upper lip area and jaws
- Dark brown, irregular and rough patches on the skin
- Cosmetic discoloration
Home Remedies to Treat Melasma
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice which is acidic in nature and rich in vitamin C is an essential remedy that cures hyper-pigmentation. Mix a tablespoon of honey and one lemon into a bowl, apply gently on your face and massage for some seconds. Leave this pack on your skin for about half an hour and then rinse with lukewarm water. Lemon juice mixed with turmeric paste can also be a useful home remedy. Using the paste every day is a recommended advice by most skin specialists who believe in natural therapies.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is a key ingredient since we use it on a daily basis, regularly mixing the ingredient in our dishes while cooking lunch or dinner. Enrich with antioxidants, the ingredient can be mixed with a cup of milk to make a smooth paste. Apply this on your face and rinse after fifteen minutes with lukewarm water. Regular use of turmeric powder can decrease Melanin spotting in about a month’s time.
3. Papaya Mask
Papaya is a well known solution for treating skin disorders like freckles, liver spots and Melasma etc since it contains a natural enzyme called Papain that exfoliates the skin and removes dead debris. It basically helps in removing all the dead skin ensuring a smooth and soft texture. Mash a few pieces of papaya into a bowl and add honey to it. Apply the mask on your skin and leave for about half an hour after which you must wash your skin.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera lightens the skin and removes blemishes. Consisting of antibacterial properties, Aloe Vera is known for containing mucilaginous polysaccharides that instantly act upon the dermis and remove age spots, sun spots, and other discoloration from the skin. Cut a plant of Aloe Vera and skin out the thorns while also scalping the surface. The gel of Aloe Vera can be directly applied to the skin and washed with water.
5. Onion Juice
Onion, one of the most easily available ingredients in the kitchen contains sulphur which can reduce tanning of the skin and removes dark patches. Onion juice which is rich in antioxidants can be mixed with apple cider vinegar for the best results. To cure Melasma, peel the onion and cut into two, grind it to a thick paste and rinse out its juices. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into the juice and using a cotton swab, apply gently on the face and leave it for half an hour. Wash off immediately with lukewarm water.
6. Sandalwood
Sandalwood is one of the most widely used herbs in India and abroad that is grown commercially for its medicinal properties. Hyper-pigmentation which is mostly seen in women can be treated using sandalwood powder and rose water. Mix a tablespoon of sandalwood powder, two spoons of rose water and apply this on your face for about ten minutes. You can also mix lemon juice or milk with sandalwood powder for the best results to get rid of Melasma. This natural face wash brightens the skin and treats blemishes.
7. Cucumber
Cucumber is a summer botanical berry that contains 90% water and is a commonly used home solution for acne and hyper-pigmentation. You can use cucumber directly on the skin or mash it and apply the juice on your face. It is a viable substitute for tomato and potato juice that cures Melasma. Dermatologists strongly recommend women to apply this mixture on alternative days to see immediate results.
8. Potato Juice
When it comes to treating a heavily sun tanned skin, potato is a useful and natural ingredient that removes pigmentation and softens the skin. Peel off one potato and grind it till a pulp is formed. Use the juice and apply it on your face, leave it for two minutes and rinse with warm water. Use this solution every day or on alternative days to get the best results and you’ll instantly watch the dark spots disappear.
9. Apricot Kernel Oil
Rich in vitamin A, C, E. it is an essential remedy that treats a number of skin disorders. It affectively cures Melasma. Derived from stone fruit, it is rich in fatty acids and offers natural nourishment to the skin. It is a highly effective home remedy that soothes skin inflammations and treats Melasma.
10. Almonds
Almonds are strongly recommended for curing Melasma. Soak a few almonds overnight and grind it into a powder form. You can mix the powder with either honey or milk to form a paste that can be applied daily on your face for about 10 minutes. Almonds are a rich source for fatty acids and ensure healthy glowing skin.
11. Oatmeal & Honey Mask
Oatmeal contains natural exfoliating properties that treat discolorations like Melasma. You can smash oatmeal into powder and add a few tablespoons of honey. The paste can be applied on the skin, left for fifteen minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. The paste clears away dead cells and nourishes the skin.
12. Banana & Guava Mask
Natural homemade face packs are the best solutions for treating Melasma. If you’re thinking of avoiding any form of cosmetic surgery to treat dark spots, mash a banana and guava into a bowl and apply on your skin. Both the fruits are natural cleansers, containing lycopene that is a useful compound for reducing hyper-pigmentation.
13. Basil Leaves
Regular use of basil leaves for a month will cure Melasma and reduce dark spots on your skin. Basil is a natural herb that contains nutrients sufficient for reducing discoloration. Crush the basil leaves take out the juice in a bowl, into the bowl add camphor powder and mix into a paste. Apply this paste on your face gently and wash off with lukewarm water regularly for about a month.
14. Horseradish
Rich in Vitamin C, horseradish is one of the most effective home remedies for scars and blemishes. You can apply it directly on the skin after peeling its cover, gently massaging it across the face. Horseradish dims pigmentation and removes dead skin cells enriching the surface for a fresh growth. You can also mix a tablespoon of cream and horseradish powder, apply like a face pack and rinse after twenty minutes for reduced pigmentation.
15. Mint Leaves
Mint is a natural ingredient that can be found growing in your backyard. It possesses a healing element that can remove pigmentation easily. Juice out mint leaves into a bowl and apply on your skin directly. It alleviates the skin from irritation and cleanses any form of bacterial growth on the pores. Use the cure routinely for immediate results.
16. Yucca Root
Known for its saponin compounds, this particular herb is a popular home remedy that is probably every woman’s favourite, since it relieves the skin from heavy pigmentation and discoloration. It has viable diuretic properties that strengthen skin cells and can be applied in the form of a face mask after mixing into a puree.
17. Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a natural homemade therapy that is used to fight off Melasma. This herbal remedy lightens dark patches and prevents hyper-pigmentation. The creamy extract obtained from cacao bean adds moisture to the skin and reduces Melanin disorders in women. Rather than being used directly on the skin, cocoa butter can be mixed with milk to enhance its effects.
18. Avocados
One of the healthiest fruits to consume for treating skin irritations are Avocados, which can also be reduced to a scrub. You can mash half a ripened avocado and mix two tablespoons of honey to form a homemade mask. Rich in oleic acid, this paste is ideal for get rid of Melasma at home.
19. Pine Bark
Rich in pycnogenol, Pine bark is herbal remedy for curing Melasma. It protects the skin against ultraviolet rays and is a strongly recommended supplement in your diet. You can always consume 25 mg tablet of Pine Bark, three times a day to decrease hyper-pigmentation.
20. Lavender Oil and Tea Tree Oil
Both Lavender and Tea Tree oil are rich in nutrients like vitamins and can be used together to treat Melasma. Taking equal portions of both in a bowl, apply onto the afflicted part of the skin or rather on the dark patches. Do this regularly and watch those patches visibly reduce.
21. Grape Seed Extract
One of the most ideal skin solutions is Grape seed extract that is rich in minerals like calcium, sulphur, phosphorus and much more. It removes age spots and Melanin spots since it is a brilliant for toning the skin and naturally kills bacteria. It is a common detoxifying agent that eliminates dead skin cells.
22. Castor Oil
A regularly used home remedy is castor oil which contains a main ingredient called Rinoleic acid that reduces skin pigmentation. If you’re suffering from Melasma, one of the strongest home remedies is Castor Oil that contains antioxidants, Vitamin E is ideal for killing harmful molecules. Just a few drops of castor oil on your skin every day is sufficient to reduce scarring and blotches.
23. Olive Oil
Enriched with anti-inflammatory properties, Olive Oil hydrates the skin and balances the pH levels. It is a useful ingredient for reducing Melanin spots or Melasma that can be gently massaged onto the skin. Steam your face using a cloth drenched in hot water and once it cools off wipe away the extra oil such that your skin receives nourishment.
24. Plantain Mask
Another useful remedy that you can apply at home is a Plantain mask that can be applied approximately four times in a week. Squeeze it into a pulp and apply the juice on the spots, leave for fifteen minutes and wash off immediately for effective results.
25. Apple Cider Vinegar
A commonly used ingredient for treating skin disorders is apple cider vinegar that contains skin whitening properties. Mix water and vinegar in equal proportion and apply on the pigmented parts of the skin. Do this regularly on alternative days for reduced spotting.
PRECAUTIONS
- Any type of stress should be avoided.
- Use right birth control pills with doctors recommend and use less.
- Don’t use chemical creams and face wash.
- Wash your face regularly 3 times a day.
- Don’t do facial or surgery and any type of treatment on skin.
- Use big hat or umbrella while going out.
- Use SPF cream to get rid of sun rays.
