Melasma- the unwanted patch

"Your face is the reflection of your emotions and your inner personality."

Is your beautiful face like the full moon spoiled by एक कालासा दाग? 

That दाग or spot on your face is Melasma or Chloasma or hyper-pigmentation; yet another skin worry that many people have to face. It is mostly associated with age or hormonal changes or the Sun exposure. Males and females both have to suffer from this. In fact, approximately 1 in every 4 women and 1 in every 20 men will develop melasma; the number itself indicates how common this problem is.

The brown or grey brown patches of melasma appear most often on the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Though melasma or hyper-pigmentation doesn't show any other symptom but its mere presence itself creates a negative impact on the person making him loose confidence.

Melasma can be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and often fades on its own after pregnancy. Use of contraceptive pills or hormonal pills can cause melasma. Discontinuing pills will fade melasma in certain cases. Another hormonal imbalance condition is observed in thyroid which is also associated with melasma. Stress though not root cause; but can lead to outbreaks of this condition.

Ultraviolet (UV) light from the Sun causes overproduction of melanin which gives skin its distinct colour. The best treatment or prevention method for melasma is to avoid the Sun exposure. Sunscreens with SPF 25 or 30 gives better protection in certain cases.

In few cases, genetic history is also observed. Rarely, irritation or allergies due to certain soaps, chemicals or cosmetics can also cause melasma.

Treatment for melasma generally includes use of topical creams, sunscreens or laser treatment. In such treatments, effects are gradual but with certain side effects like scarring, irritation or lighter patches of skin or contact dermatitis.

Ayurved considers this as वांग or क्षुद्ररोग caused by vitiated वातपित्तदोष and impure blood. Hence a treatment to pacify वातपित्तदोष and रक्तशुद्धिकर or blood purifying treatment works best in melasma or hyper-pigmentation.

Tips to follow-

• Local application of face masks twice daily. Use of वर्ण्यगण herbs like sariva, manjishtha, lodhra, chandan etc.

• Application of paste of Raktachandan over hyper-pigmentation patches and orally ingestion of decoction of Raktachandan gives wonderful results.

• Avoid use of harsh chemical as they may further irritate skin. Instead use natural soaps or Udvartan.

• मुखअभ्यंग or application of medicated oil over face like कुंकुमादि तेल or वर्ण्यतेल to pacify वातपित्तदोष

• रसायन सेवन or eating Super food in morning. मोरावळा, one of the best रसायन is rich in nutrients, vitamin A and C and Iron, thus gives excellent result on facial glow and reduces facial blemishes or hyper-pigmentation by purifying blood.

• Avoid bakery products and fermented products.

• नस्य or nasal instillation of medicated oil and रक्तमोक्षण are two panchkarmas indicated in melasma. However one need to consult a nearby Ayurvedic Vaidya for individualized treatment.

Thus the basic thumb rule is eat nutritious diet, avoid the Sun exposure and take care of your dear Skin with all natural products. We recommend use of our AMOD Rose-Raktachandan Soap, Udvartan and Suvarnkanti facepack for hyper-pigmentation. ‘Pampering’ is the small thing that your skin demands…!