Is There A Natural Treatment For Melasma?
Melasma causes spots that occur around the mouth, nose, forehead, and cheeks, and these spots may vary in color from gray to brown.
In many cases, the spots are often described as patches of skin that look dirty. Unfortunately, this skin disorder is very common, and individuals suffering from melasma find it very frustrating.
What Causes Melasma?
What causes this skin disorder? Some triggers of this condition include certain types of medications, such as birth control pills, intense or prolonged exposure to the sun, and hormonal imbalances during pregnancy.
Medical professionals believe that it’s Melanocyte-stimulating hormones that cause the increased production of melanin. When there’s an increased amount of these hormones in the body, skin often grows darker and begins to form uneven spots on the surface of the skin.
Who Gets Affected?
While both men and women can be affected by melasma, it is more common in women, since progesterone and estrogen are thought to be an underlying cause of this skin condition. Studies have also shown that individuals who have darker skin have an increased risk for developing melasma.
Prevention Is Better Than Treatment!
It’s possible that some people are genetically predisposed to develop melasma, so it anyone in your family has this skin condition, you need to take some preventive measures.
For example, it’s important to purchase high-quality sun protection products, ensuring that you always wear sun protection, no matter when you head outdoors. It’s also important to avoid any prolonged exposure to the sun.
Alternative Treatments For Melasma
The good news for individuals suffering from melasma is that natural treatments are available. One popular method for treating melasma and other hyperpigmentation problems is using natural acids, such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
- Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar –
Apple cider vinegar is very acidic, so it needs to be mixed in a 1:1 proportion with water before applying it to skin. Once mixed with water, it can be used like a skin toner on the entire face. Acids act as chemical exfoliating agents, accelerating the removal of the discolored cells and the patches/spots they form.Lemon juice can be used daily by applying it to the affected areas with a cotton ball. These acids help to naturally exfoliate skin, speeding up the removal of skin cells that are discolored. This helps to remove the spots and patches as they form on skin.
- Exfoliation –
It’s also important to exfoliate regularly if you want to treat melasma naturally. When you remove dead skin cells, you force the skin to begin regenerating more skin cells. This helps speed up the healing process. - Turmeric –
Another great natural remedy for melasma is turmeric powder. Usually, it is combined with lemon juice, aloe vera, or milk (depending on your preferences) to form a paste.Once the paste has been made, apply to the affected skin and allow to sit on skin for 10-15 minutes. Rinse away using warm water. This natural treatment will help to reduce the appearance of the spots, and it will also contribute to brightening skin, giving you a healthy, beautiful glow.
You can read my post here about the recipe for Turmeric Mask , or this one as well.
Pay Attention To Your Hormones
Since melasma often occurs due to hormonal imbalances, it is essential to try to keep hormones balanced. Focus on leading a healthy lifestyle, also paying attention to your overall physical and mental condition.
Adding healthy habits to your life can help keep hormones balanced, reducing your problem with melasma, such as eating a diet that includes plenty of fruits and veggies, getting plenty of sleep, and drinking enough water. It’s also important to reduce your stress levels since stress can result in hormonal fluctuations.
A Few Considerations
If you’re using natural acids to treat melasma, it’s important to know that these acids may result in irritation. If you notice that skin is itchy or red after using acids, consider using aloe vera, oats, milk, or ground cucumber to soothe the skin.
It’s also important to remember that using acids on your skin will make skin more sensitive to the sun. This means you need to use a good sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF that’s mineral-based (zinc or titanium oxide, at least 30 spf preferably) and a hat to try to avoid exposing your skin to the sun.
Exposing skin to UV rays may slow the healing process or make your skin problem even worse. If you’re out in the sun, make sure you re-apply sunscreen every two hours to make sure you have enough protection from the sun.
The Importance of Patience
When you use natural treatments for melasma, it’s important to be patient. You won’t see results overnight, but if you continue using natural treatments, you will see results over time.
Many individuals have seen great results with natural treatments, but since this condition is stubborn, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
