Dark Patches / Melasma on Face!

In some people, the discoloration never entirely disappears. However, this condition develops spontaneously in some women who are neither pregnant, taking oral contraceptives, nor HRT medications.

• Melasma is a very common skin disorder. Though it can affect anyone, young women with brownish skin tones are at greatest risk. Chloasma is especially common in women aged 20-40. It is more common in dark skins than in fair skins.
• Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is especially common in pregnant women, women who are taking oral contraceptives (“the pill”), and women taking hormone replacement therapy during menopause.
• Sun exposure is also a strong risk factor for melasma. It is particularly common in tropical climates.
• Melasma develops due to a combination of genetic, hormonal and sun related factors.
  Melasma has been referred to as the mask of pregnancy because it often develops during pregnancy. Because of melasma’s relation to pregnancy and oral contraceptives, it is thought that estrogen contributes to its development in predisposed persons.
• Estrogen is not essential to the development of melasma, however, as men may also be affected.
• A factor that does seem to be essential to the development of melasma is sunlight.
• Both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) are believed to contribute to the formation of melasma in predisposed persons.
• It may develop in association with menopause, hormonal imbalance and ovarian disorders.
• Melasma may also be triggered by a medication called Dilantin (phenytoin).
• It is thought that female sex hormones causes melanocytes or the pigment-producing cells to produce and deposit excess pigments.
• Chloasma usually affects women but occasionally is seen in young men who use after-shave lotions, scented soaps, and other toiletries.
• Chloasma is more pronounced during the summer months as a result of sun exposure. It usually fades a few months after delivery. Repeated pregnancies, however, can intensify the pigmentation.
• Chloasma also occurs as a side-effect of taking contraceptive pills and injected depot contraceptive preparations. It may also be noticed in apparently healthy, normal, non-pregnant women where it is presumed to be due to some mild and harmless hormonal imbalance.
• Sun exposure, following the use of deodorant soaps, scented toiletries, and various cosmetics can also produce this mottled pigmentation. This is called a phototoxic reaction and is due to ultraviolet radiation being absorbed by the chemical substance on the skin.
• Deficiency of Folic Acid during pregnancy can also lead to development of Melasma.

Melasma during pregnancy is relatively common. Sometimes it is called the “mask of pregnancy.” The dark patches typically last until the pregnancy ends. Despite the strong connection to hormones, no one knows exactly what causes the skin discoloration.
Other factors that make it more likely that a person will get melasma include using medications that make you sensitive to the sun (photosensitizing). These can include some cosmetics and medicines used to treat ovarian or thyroid problems. If you are already susceptible to melasma, exposure to the sun increases your risk. For example, women who are pregnant or who take a hormone medication and avoid the sun are less likely to develop melasma than are those who spend a lot of time in the sun.

• Tan, dark brown patches.
• Irregular in shape.
• These patches usually develop on the upper cheek, upper lip and forehead.
• The dark patches often appear on both sides of the face in a nearly identical pattern. The darker-colored patches of skin can be any shade, from tan to deep brown.
• Rarely, these dark patches may appear on other sun-exposed areas of the body.
• The dark patches often appear on both sides of the face in a nearly identical pattern.
• The darker-colored patches of skin can be any shade, from tan to deep brown.
• Rarely, these dark patches may appear on other sun-exposed areas of the body.
• Melasma doesn’t cause any other symptoms besides skin discoloration but may be of great cosmetic concern.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for melasma.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural skin lightener with superb astringent properties. The acidic nature of lemon juice also helps remove the outer layer of the skin, thereby eliminating a layer of the hyperpigmented skin.
Extract the juice from one fresh lemon.
Apply it on the affected areas and gently rub it around for one or two minutes.
Leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
Follow this remedy twice daily and you should see improvement within three weeks.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar
The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar makes it a powerful bleaching agent, which helps remove spots and make the skin much smoother and more radiant.
Mix together equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water.
Apply this solution on the melasma spots and allow it to air dry.
Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry the skin gently.
Follow this remedy once daily.

3. Turmeric
Turmeric can also reduce the skin’s melanin and help combat melasma. The active ingredient curcumin in turmeric spice has antioxidant and skin-lightening properties.
Mix five tablespoons of turmeric powder with 10 tablespoons of milk to make a paste. It is best to use whole milk because it has lactic acid and calcium that helps exfoliate and soften the skin.
Add one tablespoon of gram flour to thicken the mixture.
Apply this paste evenly on the affected area.
Allow it to dry for 20 minutes. Then rinse it off with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Repeat this treatment daily for best results.

4. Onion Juice
Onion juice is another effective home remedy to restore your natural skin tone. Onion juice has a range of sulfur-containing compounds that can fade dark patches or discoloration on the skin. Also, onion juice provides nourishment to the skin cells.
Finely chop two to three onions.
Put them in a piece of cheesecloth and squeeze it to extract the juice.
Measure the onion juice and mix it with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar.
Apply it on the affected area with a cotton ball.
Leave it for 20 minutes, and then wash it off with warm water.
Follow this remedy twice daily for a few weeks.

5. Aloe Vera Gel
Due to the presence of mucilaginous polysaccharides in aloe vera gel, it can alleviate hyperpigmentation and restore your skin’s original color. It can also remove dead skin cells and promote regeneration of new skin cells.
Cut open an aloe vera leaf and extract the fresh gel.
Apply the gel thoroughly on the affected area and gently massage for one or two minutes.
Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Follow this remedy twice daily for a few weeks.

6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an amazing natural exfoliating agent that can remove brown spots on the face and dissolve dead skin cells to give you brighter, glowing skin.
Mix together two tablespoons of oatmeal powder, two tablespoons of milk and one tablespoon of honey.
Apply it on the affected area.
Wait 20 minutes and rub off the mixture with water.
Pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Do this two or three times a week for a month.

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