Homeopathy Treatment for Melasma
Melasma/Chloasma
Melasma also called blemishes or chloasma is a tan or dark facial skin discoloration. It is a dark mask-like discoloration that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose also called “the mask of pregnancy.”
Although not a dangerous condition, Melasma can be distressing for the sufferer and seriously undermine self-confidence.
Although it can affect anyone, Melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy medications and is particularly common in women between the ages of 20 and 40.
The areas most affected are the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin. Different types of Melasma occur depending on the location of the excess melanin, in the epidermis or the dermis. Melasma is thought to be caused by elevated levels of estrogen, progesterone, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (a hormone that causes melanin cells to make more melanin).
Pregnancy-induced Melasma usually resolves after delivery but may return with subsequent pregnancies or with oral contraceptives. But there are cases which do not improve after delivery and become even more worse.
Sometimes Melasma is mistaken for freckles or age-spots, which are essentially the same thing, however, Melasma spots can be larger and much darker.
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What causes Melasma/Chloasma?
There are many factors that can cause Melasma, whether it is a mild or severe form it is usually associated with one or a combination of the below:
- Pregnancy – the pigment may or may not fade after the delivery.
- Hormonal contraceptives, including oral contraceptive pills and injected progesterone
- Sun exposure is also a very strong risk factor
- Scented or deodorant soaps, toiletries and cosmetics – a phototoxic reaction
- Poor immune system
- Genetic factors
- Medications
- Nutritional deficiency
- Ovarian or thyroid disorder.
- Sometimes cause can be unidentified.
- Stress.
Clinical features/Symptoms of Melasma
Melasma usually affects women; only one in twenty affected individuals are male. It generally starts between the age of 30 and 40. It is more common in people that tan well or have naturally dark skin compared with those who have fair skin.
Melasma affects the forehead, cheeks and upper lips resulting in macules (freckle-like spots) and larger patches. Occasionally it spreads to involve the sides of the neck, and a similar condition may affect the shoulders and upper arms. Melasma is sometimes separated into epidermal (skin surface), dermal (deeper), mixed and inapparent types.
Types of Melasma/chloama
There are four types of Melasma based on Wood’s (ultraviolet) light examination which shows the depth of the pigmentation
- Epidermal – The most common type shows enhancement of the color contrast between normal and affected skin.
- Dermal – Does not show enhancement of the color contrast between normal and affected skin.
- Mixed Epidermal and Dermal – Shows enhancement of the color contrast between some of the affected skin but not others.
- Inapparent – Seen in very dark-skinned people, affected lesions are not seen under Wood’s light.
How is Melasma/Chloasma Diagnosed?
Melasma is usually diagnosed visually or with assistance of a Wood’s lamp (340 – 400 nm wavelengths). Under Wood’s lamp, excess melanin in the epidermis can be distinguished from that of the dermis.
Melasma/Chloasma and Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines have shown great results in cases of Melasma. Homeopathy helps to get rid of the problem from its root. Homeopathy believes that the use of creams and ointments in skin disorders leads to the suppression (temporary removal) of the main symptoms of the internal disease which is done in the conventional/allopathic treatment of Melasma. In allopathic treatment of Melasma only creams are used to treat the condition and the internal problem is overlooked. The Melasma spots may become lighter temporarily but they come back and can be even worse with these creams and lotions. Homeopathy believes that skin disorders are to be treated from within. A well-prescribed homeopathic medicine not only takes care of hyper pigmentation but also treats as a whole and improves general health as well.
How Homeopathy works on Melasma/Chloasma?
Homoeopathy considers Melasma as a local expression of a systemic/ internal disturbance. Homeopathy believes that skin disorders reflect an internal imbalance and needs to be treated from within.
The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution, genetic predisposition etc. While choosing the homeopathic medicine the cause of Melasma is evaluated e.g., mental stress, hormonal imbalances, sun exposure, nutritional deficiency, poor immune system and so on. Homeopathic treatment, which gets to the root of the problem will reinforce the immune system and gradually restore the pigmented spots to the normal skin color.
Homeopathic medicines restore the hormonal imbalance and control the excessive production of Melanin. Homeopathic medicines will not inhibit the natural process of the skin on melanin production. It will act on melanocytes to produce less melanin naturally thus strengthening the skin cells to stay healthy and remove excessive melanin in the skin. This improves the quality (texture) of skin, blemishes disappear, and further discoloration of skin stops.
Homeopathy medicines cure Melasma from the root cause and assuring the patient of not facing the similar problem in future.
Anyone can easily get rid of the ugly spots of Melasma with miraculous homeopathic treatment.
How to Prevent Melasma?
- Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, with a broad spectrum that protects the skin from both UVA rays (“A” for aging) and UVB rays (“B” for burn).
- Discontinue any make-ups, facial cleansers or creams that irritate the skin.
- Avoid oral contraceptive pills (OCP’s)far as possible
- Avoid stress. Exercise and meditation help fighting stress
- Have balanced diet to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Home Remedies
Home Remedies to avoid/cure Melasma are: –
- Cosmetics are way to hide the brown areas.
- Before and after showering apply coconut or neem oil on your body
- The use of body lotions have helped to fade these areas as well in some women.
- Add 20 drops lavender and chamomile essential oil for a cool and soothing bath.
- Apply/Rub lemon on your face and wash your face after 15 minutes
- Add 20 drops of urtica urens tincture in four ounces of water and bathe the bruised area
- Apply cold aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar, or plantain to help heal sunburn
- Apply thin paste of sandalwood on the affected and wash your face with cold water 15 minutes.
- Apply olive oil at the affected area