Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by dark patches on the face, particularly on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. While it’s not harmful, it can affect one’s confidence due to its appearance. Ayurvedic medicine offers a holistic approach to treating melasma, focusing on balancing the body’s energies and addressing underlying imbalances. Ayurvedic treatments often involve a combination of herbal remedies, dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and stress management techniques. In this blog, we’ll explore the principles of Ayurveda and how it can help manage and reduce melasma symptoms naturally.
Melesma, known as Vyanga in Ayurveda, is a type of minor disease. It shows up as painless bluish-black patches on the face, especially on the forehead, nose, and cheeks. The cause of Vyanga involves issues with the body elements Pitta, Vata, and Rakta. Its symptoms are similar to melasma, a skin condition where the face gets dark patches. Melasma isn’t harmful, but people might want to treat it for cosmetic reasons. It’s a condition that slowly and unevenly makes the skin darker. Ayurveda suggests treating this condition as Vyanga, and this study shows how Ayurvedic treatment helped a person with facial melanosis.
What is melisma (Chaya/ Poto)?
Melasma is a common skin problem that causes brown or gray patches on your skin. It often shows up on your face, like on your cheeks or forehead. Sometimes it’s called the “mask of pregnancy” because pregnant women often get it. It can change in color over time, getting darker in the sun and lighter in the winter. Even though it’s harmless, it can make some people feel embarrassed.
Ayurvedic perspective of Melasma
In Ayurveda, freckles and melasma are linked to a condition called ‘Vyanga’, which means a change in a normal body part. According to Acharya Charaka, Vyanga happens when there’s a problem with vata and pitta in the body, causing painless, thin, and dark circular patches on the face.
In Ayurveda, melasma comes from a body imbalance, especially too much pitta dosha, linked to digestion. Treatment mixes herbs, like turmeric, inside and out, with things like sandalwood paste. Lifestyle shifts like avoiding spicy foods and sunlight help too. But not all Ayurvedic treatments work for everyone and could cause skin issues. So, it’s important to test them first and talk to a melasma doctor if you have problems.
Classification of Vyanga
Different types of Vyanga are classified based on their characteristics:
1. Vata type: Patches are bluish-black.
2. Pitta type: Patches have coppery red edges.
3. Kapha type: Patches are white and itchy.
4. Rakta type: Patches are red with tingling and burning feelings.
Cause of Melasma
Melasma, a skin condition causing dark patches, mainly stems from two factors: exposure to sunlight and hormonal changes. Certain medications, birth control pills, genetics, thyroid issues, LED screens, pregnancy, and hormone fluctuations can also trigger it. Additionally, makeup, phototoxic drugs, skincare products, scented soaps, and tanning beds may worsen melasma.
Causes of melisma are as following:
1. Sun exposure: Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun make melasma worse.
2. Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones can trigger melasma.
3. Medications: Some drugs like antiseizure meds, contraceptive pills, and estrogen treatments can cause melasma.
4. Genetics: Family history plays a role, with about 33%-50% of melasma cases having relatives with it.
5. Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland can contribute to melasma.
6. LED Screens: Light from devices like TVs and phones might worsen melasma.
7. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to the “mask of pregnancy.”
8. Makeup: Certain cosmetics can trigger a reaction.
9. Phototoxic drugs: Some medicines increase sensitivity to sunlight, worsening melasma.
10. Skin care products: Irritating products can worsen melasma.
11. Soaps: Scented soaps may contribute to melasma.
12. Tanning beds: UV light from tanning beds can make melasma worse.
Signs of Melasma
Signs of melasma include:
1. Light brown, dark brown, or bluish patches on the skin.
2. Patches may turn red or swollen sometimes.
3. Melasma can appear in different areas of the skin:
a. Shoulders and upper arms (Brachial).
b. Forehead, cheeks, nose, and upper lip (Centrofacial).
c. Both cheeks (Lateral cheek pattern).
d. Cheeks and nose (Malar).
e. Jawline (Mandibular).
f. Neck, mostly in people aged 50 or older.
Melasma Treatment in Ayurveda
Treating melasma in Ayurveda depends on how bad it is. For mild cases, Ayurvedic medicines, diet changes, and lifestyle adjustments can help. But for severe or long-lasting melasma, you might need detox treatments like panchakarma. These treatments cleanse your body and balance your doshas, which are energies in your body according to Ayurveda. Therapies like venesection, leech therapy, herbal pastes, facial oils, and nasal drops can also be used to manage melasma.
A. Siravyadha: It’s a treatment in Ayurveda to remove bad blood from your body. It’s done by a skilled Ayurvedic doctor.
B. Prelepa: This treatment uses special herbal creams on your skin to balance the body’s energies.
C. Abhyanga: This is a massage therapy using special oils to calm your body’s energies.
D. Nasya Karma: This treatment uses herbal drops in your nose to remove toxins. Kumkumadi oil is a good choice for treating melasma because it reduces excessive heat in your face.
Ayurvedic medicine for melisma
These herbs are commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to help treat melasma, a skin condition characterized by dark patches on the face. Here’s how each herb contributes:
1. Turmeric: Turmeric is a herb that helps reduce skin discoloration. It contains curcumin which can lighten dark patches on the skin. You can make a paste with turmeric, milk, or honey and apply it to the affected areas to make the patches lighter. You can find ayurvedic cream for melasma and pigmentation at the Mshaque Clinic.
2. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera gel is well-known for soothing the skin. It hydrates the skin, reduces pigmentation, and helps in skin renewal. Apply fresh aloe vera gel to the affected areas, leave it for 20-30 minutes, then wash it off.
3. Licorice: Licorice extract contains a substance called glabridin which helps in reducing pigmentation. It inhibits the enzyme responsible for producing melanin, making dark spots lighter. Look for creams or serums with licorice as an ingredient for your skin. You can find these at the Mshaque Clinic.
4. Neem: Neem is a herb known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It brightens the skin, reduces oiliness, and cleanses the skin. Make a paste with neem leaves and water, apply it to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it off. You can find ayurvedic cream for melasma at the Mshaque Clinic.
5. Sandalwood: Sandalwood has calming and cooling effects. It reduces inflammation and pigmentation. Apply a paste of sandalwood powder, rosewater, or milk to the affected areas, leave it for 20-30 minutes, then wash it off.
6. Gotu kola: Gotu kola is known for healing wounds and rejuvenating the body. It helps in collagen formation, improves circulation, and fades pigmentation. Use lotions or serums containing gotu kola extract on the affected areas, or take gotu kola medication as directed.
7. Triphala: Triphala, also known as Indian gooseberry, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki, is an Ayurvedic herbal remedy. It supports healthy skin, digestion, and detoxification. Take Triphala powder or tablets orally for overall skin health as advised.
8.
9. Cardamom: Acts as an antioxidant, helping to improve overall skin health.
10. Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus): Known for its blood-purifying properties, which can help address underlying imbalances contributing to melasma.
11. Manjista (Rubia cordifolia): Helps in treating skin diseases and may aid in reducing pigmentation.
12. Chandana (Santalum album): Soothes skin and may help alleviate inflammation associated with melasma.
13. Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa): May assist in balancing hormones and addressing skin issues.
14. Amla (Phyllanthus emblica): Provides antioxidants that promote skin health and may help in reducing pigmentation.
15. Daruharidra (Berberis aristata): Known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can benefit skin health and potentially improve melasma symptoms.
These herbs, when used appropriately in Ayurvedic formulations, may help in managing melasma by addressing underlying imbalances and promoting overall skin health.
Home Remedies For Melasma
Here are some easy Ayurvedic home remedies for melasma and freckles:
1. Use green tea extract on your face to lighten the patches.
2. Try a paste made of sandalwood and saffron, although they can be expensive and hard to find pure.
3. Consider using Kunkumadi tailam, a medicinal oil, for convenience and effectiveness.
4. Mix Kunkumadi oil with turmeric paste and aloe vera gel for a combo face pack.
5. Turmeric is great for your skin, as it’s antiseptic and purifies the blood.
6. Make a paste of gram flour, turmeric, and yogurt to lighten skin tone.
7. Drink turmeric milk to purify your skin internally.
8. If you have normal skin and no allergies, try adding lemon juice for its bleaching properties.
9. Tomato paste can soften your skin and improve blood circulation.
10. Indian sarsaparilla root paste can reduce excess heat and inflammation on your skin.
11. Mix 10 ml kumkumadi oil, 10 grams turmeric powder, and 50 grams aloe vera pulp. Make a paste and apply it to the affected area 30 minutes before bathing every day.
12. Mix 10 grams turmeric powder with 50 grams aloe vera pulp to make a paste. Apply regularly and store in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer.
13. Rub turmeric powder over the affected areas once or twice a day. You can add a few drops of ghee to make a paste if possible.
14. Make a paste by mixing equal quantities of tender buds of jasmine, ficus bengalensis, neem leaves, and turmeric rhizome. Apply this paste after washing your face. Rinse off when dry to reduce hyperpigmentation.
15. Mix equal amounts of turmeric, berberis, white onion, and talcum powder to make a paste. Apply to the face to relieve hyperpigmentation without side effects
Preventing Melasma Naturalley
Here’s how to prevent melasma naturally:
1. Wear sunscreen every day with an SPF of 30 or higher.
2. Cover your face when you go outside with a mask, scarf, or clothes that cover your arms.
3. Use umbrellas and wide hats for extra sun protection.
4. Eat a balanced diet to keep your body in balance according to Ayurvedic principles.
5. Use gentle skin products that suit your skin type and help balance your body’s doshas.
6. Limit your exposure to LED light from phones, laptops, and TVs.
7. Avoid taking birth control pills with progesterone and estrogen too much.
8. Only use hormone replacement therapy for menopause if it’s necessary.
9. Be careful with cosmetics on your face and treat your skin gently.
What food options to eat to treat melisma
To treat melasma and freckles, it’s best to eat fresh, natural foods and avoid processed, artificial ones. Fresh foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, meat, fish, eggs, herbs, and spices. Processed foods, like snacks and fast food, can worsen skin pigmentation.
It’s important to skip inflammatory drinks like soda and packaged juice and opt for water or homemade herbal tea instead. Avoiding allergenic foods such as eggs, dairy, soy, gluten, and certain types of fish can also help reduce inflammation.
Reducing carbohydrates, especially from sugary snacks and drinks, can balance hormones and improve skin pigmentation. Instead, focus on fresh sources of carbs like fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants are crucial for skin health. Foods rich in vitamins C, E, A, and other antioxidants include berries, beans, vegetables, leafy greens, herbs, spices, and nuts. The more colorful the food, the more antioxidants it likely contains.
In summary, a diet consisting of fresh, antioxidant-rich foods while limiting processed foods and carbs can help reduce melasma and freckles, leading to healthier and brighter skin.
Food to Avoid for Melasma:
1. Copper-Containing Food
Copper is a mineral important for body functions, including skin pigment production. Too much copper can upset skin pigment balance, potentially worsening melasma.
2. High-Glycemic Index Foods
Foods high in glycemic index (GI), like refined carbs and sugary foods, can spike blood sugar levels, leading to hormonal changes and inflammation, which might aggravate melasma.
3. Sugary Food
Excessive sugar intake can also raise blood sugar levels and cause hormonal fluctuations and inflammation, potentially worsening melasma.
4. Soy-based Products
Soy contains isoflavones that mimic estrogen, possibly disrupting hormonal balance and worsening melasma, especially with excessive consumption.
5. Dairy Products
Some studies link dairy consumption, especially skim milk, with increased melasma risk due to proteins that could disrupt hormonal balance.
If you’re dealing with melasma and unsure about which foods might be causing it, consulting a dermatologist for personalized advice is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Melasma:
1. Where does melasma most commonly occur? Melasma often appears on the cheeks, nose, chin, upper lip, and forehead. It can also affect areas like the arms, neck, and back, especially in sunlight-exposed regions.
2. How common is melasma? Melasma is quite common, especially among pregnant women, affecting 15% to 50% of them. Around 1.5% to 33% of the population may experience melasma, usually between ages 20 and 40.
3. Who is at risk of melasma? Melasma is more common in darker-skinned individuals and women, especially those taking oral contraceptives or undergoing hormonal changes during pregnancy.
4. What happens in the skin with melasma? Melasma involves increased pigment production (melanin) in response to sunlight or hormonal changes, causing dark patches on the skin.
5. Why do women get melasma during pregnancy? Hormonal changes, particularly increased estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy, contribute to melasma. However, the condition often fades after pregnancy.
6. What are the types of melasma? Melasma can be categorized into epidermal, dermal, and mixed types based on the depth of pigment in the skin.
7. Is melasma cancerous? Melasma itself is not cancerous, but it’s important to rule out any skin cancers that may mimic its appearance by consulting a dermatologist.
8. Is melasma permanent? Melasma is typically a chronic condition, but it can vary in duration, lasting from months to years. It may fade over time, especially with appropriate treatment and sun protection.
9. Is melasma painful? Melasma is harmless and doesn’t cause pain or discomfort.
10. When should I see a healthcare provider about melasma? It’s advisable to seek medical advice if you notice signs of melasma to start treatment early and prevent worsening of the condition.
Reference
https://easyayurveds.com/ayurvedic-medicine-for-diarrhea/Medicinal Plants for skin Burns
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