What is Melasma?

Melasma is a skin condition that is more common in women than men. It is distinguished by dark patches on the skin, such that the skin appears unattractive. Most cases of melasma occur on the most visible parts of the skin. These parts include the forehead, cheeks, neck, and some parts of the nose.

It is usually triggered by the excessive production of melanin which in turn leads to the hyperpigmentation of the skin. Since it is not a severe skin condition that can affect health, there are no serious medical reasons for treating melasma. However, due to its ugly appearance on the skin, people with melasma go out of their way to find remedies for their skin condition.

How To Treat Melasma at Home

Although, there are different methods of treating the condition and reducing the appearance of the condition on the skin. These methods range from medicated over-the-counter creams to natural remedies and laser therapy.

Studies have shown that pregnant women, women in their menopausal age, and some women with other kinds of hormonal fluctuations or imbalances tend to experience more cases of melasma than other women.

This article is packed with natural remedies that can help you eliminate your melasma in no time. This is because they are packed with other natural and medicinal properties that are healthy for your skin. These properties are effective in moisturizing and rejuvenating the skin. They can also help you achieve your skin goals faster. Even after your melasma is gone, adopting one of the natural remedies for your skin will be a perfect natural skin regimen. However, while adopting any of them, it is important to apply a lot of caution. Ensure you do not overuse them, as too much of everything is bad.

Before delving into the natural remedies that can help treat melasma, it is best to look at those risk factors that can predispose you to melasma.

Risk Factors of Melasma

Hormone and Gender

Hormonal fluctuations and imbalance are major triggers of melasma. Most cases include pregnancy, menopause, and women who take contraceptives, among others. Since these scenarios are mostly associated with women, studies have affirmed that more women experience melasma than men.

Exposure to Sunlight

Exposure to direct sunlight can tamper with the skin’s melanin production. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can disrupt melanin production, such that hyperpigmentation may set in.

Complexion

Studies have shown that women who are light in complexion may have lower chances of experiencing melasma than those who are dark-skinned.

Having identified the risk factors for melasma, it is best to avoid the avoidable ones. For the unavoidable ones, you should consider one of the remedies listed in this article to help you get rid of it in case you notice its symptoms on your skin.

Natural and Home Remedies for Melasma

Sunscreen

Since the sun is a major culprit in triggering melasma, it is best to protect the skin from direct sunlight. Since you cannot stay indoors all day to protect your skin from the effect of the sun, you should consider getting sunscreen protection. This will help mediate between your skin and the sun. It helps reduce the direct effect of the sun on your skin.

Experts have suggested that applying sunscreen daily is safe. Also, you can try other methods of protecting your skin from the sun, including wearing wide hats.

If, after adopting the remedy, you still experience melasma or your melasma does not go away, it means other underlying factors like hormonal imbalance may be responsible.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is popular for its benefits to skin health. This makes it one of the most sought-after ingredients in cosmetic industries. Aloe vera is packed with skin benefitting natural properties that are effective in getting rid of melasma. It begins with keeping the skin hydrated and rejuvenates the skin, such that it gives the skin an even skin tone. Studies have also shown that aloe Vera can be natural sunscreen, which makes it one of the most recommended natural remedies for preventing and treating melasma.

One good thing about aloe Vera gel is it gets absorbed easily into the skin, such that you may begin to see symptoms faster than some other remedies.

All that you need to do is slice some aloe Vera leaves, peel out the gel and apply morning and night to the affected area of your skin and watch your melasma disappear.

Turmeric Mask

Making a mask out of turmeric paste can help reduce the appearance of melasma. This is because studies have shown that curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties, which is turmeric’s major natural component, can help regulate the skin’s melanin production. As a result of this regulation, melanin is neither underproduced nor overproduced. Coupled with this, bathing in water that contains drops of turmeric juice can give your skin all the sunscreen it needs.

In other words, turmeric is a natural and effective sunscreen. Thus, whenever you know that you will be outside for a short time, say about 45 minutes to 1 hour, you should consider a turmeric bath as your best run-to-natural sunscreen.

What’s more? All you need to do is blend some raw turmeric and apply the paste to the affected area of your skin.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is widely known for its effectiveness in treating skin conditions. Studies have shown that lemon juice has properties that can eliminate dark patches on the skin. Since melasma is responsible for the dark patches, getting lemon and using it directly on those dark patches will help clear them off by reducing the appearance of the dark patches on the skin.

According to research, applying lemon juice for at least 20 minutes every day on the affected area of the skin can help get rid of melasma and return the skin to normal. While using lemon juice, it is best to quit it immediately after the melasma disappears from your skin.

Honey

Like aloe, Vera is known for its effects on the skin. It effectively treats different skin conditions ranging from inflammation to irritation, as well as mild and severe skin injuries and scars. Honey is a natural wonder that fits into the treatment of different health and skin conditions. In the case of melasma, honey has natural properties that can brighten up the skin and reduce the appearance of dark patches of the skin.

More studies have shown that mixing honey with other natural juices like lemon juice can even speed up the healing process of your skin. For melasma, you should dab your skin with some honey and lemon juice mixture and leave it to sit on your skin for more than eighteen minutes before rinsing it out with lukewarm water.

Black Tea

Black tea is packed with natural anti-inflammatory properties, and these make it an effective remedy for hyperpigmentation. Applying black tea water daily to your skin can help you get rid of dark pigments and the excessive production of melanin. It does this by regulating the production of melanin and also reduces the formation of shady patches on the skin.

Both drinking and applying the juice to the affected region of your skin have been discovered to help improve the condition of your skin.

Soak some black tea water into a ball of cotton wool and dab your skin with it. Leave the water to relax on your skin for about 13-15 minutes before washing it off with clean water. Repeat this process at least 2 times a day for maximum results. Avoid drinking black tea if you are pregnant, or consult your doctor before doing so.

Tomato Juice

Tomato juice is an effective remedy for dun-triggered melasma. Thus, if your melasma is caused by the constant exposure of your skin to the sun, then you might have to consider tomato juice. This is because it repairs the damage caused by the ultraviolet rays of the sun on the skin.

Blend some tomatoes and apply the paste to the affected areas of your skin.

Conclusion

Melasma may not be a severe skin condition that can tamper with health. However, it can be so unattractive, and this is why most people with melasma seek remedies to get rid of it.