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6 completely natural ways to cure acute melasma – Blog What is melasma? Melasma is a skin disorder where your skin becomes brown and patchy. It most commonly appears on your cheeks, bridge of your nose, forehead, chin, or above your upper lip. It may also appear on the other parts of your body that are exposed to sunlight.

• Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before stepping out.
• Wear full sleeved tops and pants. Also, consider wearing a hat.
• You could try to apply two layers of SPF infused sunscreen. Apply a layer of SPF 15 and SPF 30 for double protection.
• If stress and hormonal imbalance are the reason behind melasma, try to make time for activities that help you relax, like walking or yoga.
• Use skin lightening lotions that contain Kojic acid or melaplex. These ingredients slow down the production of skin darkening and make it difficult for melasma to set in.
• Chemical peels are also a great way of lightening melasma. Thanks to the glycolic acid that’s available in a chemical peel, the first layer of skin that contains melasma will be peeled off.
• Another option is laser treatments. However, if you decide to opt for one, go for a restorative or fractional dual laser. These lasers only target pigmentation that’s on the surface of the skin.

Tips for melasma treatment at home If you’re not okay with chemicals, then you can always go for natural treatment for melasma. Below are few common ways to do so.

1. Turmeric Turmeric contains curcumin, a strong antioxidant that results in lighter skin. Using a 1:2 ratio, mix milk with turmeric powder and apply the mixture on the affected areas. Let the pack dry completely and then rinse it with lukewarm water. Repeat this procedure every day for best results.
2. Lemon Lemon is one of the most popular natural remedies for skin related disorders. Lemon is also known as a natural bleaching agent. All you have to do is apply lemon juice on the affected areas and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this twice a day and you will see a noticeable difference in 3 weeks.
3. Papaya Both raw and ripe papaya are used for curing various skin disorders. Papain, present in papayas, causes them to be the best home remedy for melasma. Mash a few pieces of papaya and mix it with honey. Apply the paste on affected areas and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash this pack off after 20 minutes. Do this once a week and for about 2-3 months.
4. Aloe vera Aloe vera is an ingredient used in many face related products. It’s always best to use fresh aloe vera. Apply the gel, fresh off the plant, twice a day and massage your face for roughly two minutes. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
5. Onion There are a lot of home remedies for melisma, and onion juice is one of the best amongst them. Because onion contains sulfoxides and cepaenes, it helps in getting rid of melasma while also removing the blemishes. Mash the onion and mix it with apple cider vinegar, use a cotton ball and dab it all over the affected areas. After about 20 minutes, wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this twice a day for better results.
6. Cucumber Cucumber is another home remedy that can be used for removal of pigmentation. Because cucumber is high in water content it lightens the pigmented skin. You simply have to grate the cucumber and apply it on affected areas. Wash it off with warm water after 20 minutes. Repeat this process once every day for best results.

Kaya’s treatment for melasma Kaya products are natural and reliable. Below are few things you can do with Kaya’s products to help treat melasma:

• Kaya’s Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen: Use Kaya’s Daily Moisturizing sunscreen before you step out. It contains SPF 30 that has both UVB and UVA protection. This lotion is grease free and absorbs into your skin well. Kaya’s Daily Moisturizing Sunscreen is suitable for all skin types and can be used every day.
• Kaya’s Youth Protect Sunscreen: Kaya’s Youth Protect Sunscreen comes with SPF 50 and ensures highest UVB and UVA protection. This product is PABA free, non-greasy, and suitable for all skin types.
• Kaya’s Pigmentation Reducing Complex: This cream reduces pigmentation marks and spots from your skin. It contains Azeloyl Diglycinate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate and Trimethyl Phenyl Silsesquioxane that prevents further darkening of the skin. The lotion absorbs really well into the skin and can be used for all skin types.
• Kaya’s Intense Clarity Peel: This is a unique peel that combines derma peels and botanical actives. These peels will naturally reduce the pigmentation and lighten the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and you’ll see visible results in about 6 sessions.
• Kaya’s Insta Clarity Laser: This is Kaya’s latest technology that aims to reduce your pigmentation spots and marks. Kaya uses a Q-Switched laser that considered very safe for Indian skin. It’s an invisible beam that targets brown marks on the skin. The best part is you can return to your daily activities without any hassle. It’ll take about 6-8 sessions to see results.

For melasma, there are both, scientific and natural procedures that can be used for treatment. Kaya is a combination of both, offering scientifically proven products rooted in natural formulae to revive and rejuvenate your skin. : 6 completely natural ways to cure acute melasma – Blog

Can you treat melasma internally?

Enhance Diet – A healthy diet and adequate amounts of water can give you the foundation for healthy skin. Enhancing a balanced diet with certain supplements or foods can improve your results and help lower your risk of melasma. For example, the properties of vitamin C are effective in reducing melanin production and providing photoprotection to reduce the effect of sun damage.

• Vitamin E
• Carotenoids
• Retinoids
• Unsaturated fatty acids

What causes internal melasma?

Re-balancing hormones –

One of the most common causes of melasma is a hormone imbalance, helping to explain why it affects more women than men. The melanocytes are triggered by abnormal hormone levels, which often occurs before, during or after pregnancy. There’s not much that can be done in the way of rebalancing hormones around the throes of pregnancy (although lots of ways to mitigate the effects of chloasma which you can read about here ), but you may want to talk to your GP about trying different types of contraception if you suffer from the condition outside of it.

1. Which vitamin deficiency causes melasma?

   Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting with hyperpigmentation and pancytopenia : © 2018 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. Hyperpigmentation with generalized weakness may be the initial presentation of several systemic conditions. Vitamin B12 deficiency can present very rarely as hyperpigmentation. Association of pancytopenia at this stage is even rare. Early identification and management can prevent various neurological complications. Here, we report a rare case of Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as hyperpigmentation and pancytopenia. Keywords: Hyperpigmentation, pancytopenia, Vitamin B12 deficiency Hyperpigmentation with generalized weakness may be the initial presentation of several systemic conditions. Vitamin B12 deficiency can present very rarely as hyperpigmentation. Association of pancytopenia at this stage is even rare. Early identification and management can prevent various neurological complications. Here, we report a rare case of Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as hyperpigmentation and pancytopenia. A 52-year-old male patient presented with fever, weakness, weight loss, breathlessness, and progressive pigmentation. There was no history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, recent malaria, or chronic drug intake. Family history was not significant. The patient was a vegetarian, not a smoker, and not an alcoholic. On examination, the tongue was pale, Hyperpigmentation in the form of macules present over the palm and axilla, Hemogram showed hemoglobin of 4.8 g%, total cholesterol 2600, platelets were 56,000, red blood cell (RBC) 1.6 million, packed cell volume 13.1, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 11.2, mean corpuscular hemoglobin 42.8, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration 36.6, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 120/1 st h. Urine showed albumin 1+, pus cells 7–8/HPF, epithelial cells 2–3/HPF, and RBC positive. Urine culture sterile. Peripheral smear showed RBC mild anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and macrocytosis with hypochromia, tear drop cells, macroovalocytes with decreased white blood cell. Bone marrow was hypercellular, increased erythropoiesis with micronormoblastic, and mild megaloblastic change. Dengue antibodies were negative. Widal test negative. Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum were negative. HIV and HCV were nonreactive. Thyroid-stimulating hormone was 2.93. Chest X-ray was normal. Ultrasound abdomen showed hepatomegaly and calcified granuloma of the liver. Vitamin B12 deficiency is defined as a plasma concentration of <148 pmol/L (200 pg/ml). The prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency varies from 3% to 5% in the general population and 5% to 20% among people older than 65 years. Inadequate intake, pernicious anemia (low intrinsic factor), and food-bound cobalamin malabsorption in part due to gastric atrophy are the main causes of low serum Vitamin B12, especially in poor populations. In the present case, the cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency was decrease intake with low intrinsic factor which presented with fever, weakness, weight loss, breathlessness, and progressive pigmentation. The common systemic features reported were fatigue, glossitis, weight loss, and anorexia that were found in 34%, 31%, 27%, and 22% of cases, respectively. The cutaneous manifestation of Vitamin B12 deficiency is skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, hair changes, and recurrent angular stomatitis. Hyperpigmentation of the extremities, especially over the dorsum of the hands and feet, with accentuation over the interphalangeal joints and terminal phalanges associated with pigmentation of the oral mucosa is characteristic of Vitamin B12 deficiency. It is suggested that deficiency of Vitamin B12 causes decrease in intracellular reduction potential that leads to oxidation of the reduced glutathione and decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio. The epidermal melanocytes are then stimulated to produce melanin as the tyrosinase inhibiting effect of GSH has been diminished. Hyperpigmentation of the skin has been reported only rarely as the presenting manifestation of Vitamin B12 deficiency as found in this patient. There are only three such Indian reports found in Indian literature. In this case, patient presented with hyperpigmentation over the palms and the axilla, which is again a rare site of presentation. The patient also had pancytopenia, which is even rarer association with hyperpigmentation as presentation of Vitamin B12 deficiency. So far, only one case has been reported. The patient was treated with antibiotics (amoxicillin clavulanic acid and metronidazole) for the fever, started on intravenous fluids with multivitamin (MVI), transfused with 2 units of packed cells one on day 1 and other on day 5. Starting from day 1, he was treated with intramuscular injection of Vitamin B12 (1000 mg) daily for 10 days, then weekly for 1 month, and then monthly for 2 months. Subsequently, the patient had been receiving a MVI tablet daily containing Vitamin B12 (1 mg) and showed improvement in his presentation, Usually, hyperpigmentation resolves within 3 months of initiation of treatment, in about 87% of such patients. After the treatment, hematologic response began after several days, and the final hematologic landmark was improvement in blood count, including MCV that was normalized by 8 th week. Hyperpigmentation also resolved completely by 8 week. Hyperpigmentation resolves after treatment The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed. There are no conflicts of interest.1. Baker SJ, Ignatius M, Johnson S, Vaish SK. Hyperpigmentation of skin. A sign of Vitamin-B12 deficiency. Br Med J.1963; 1 :1713–5.2. Ridley CM. Pigmentation of fingertips and nails in Vitamin B12 deficiency. Br J Dermatol.1977; 97 :105–6.3. Watson-Williams EJ, Fleming AF. Isolated malabsorption of Vitamin B12 causing megaloblastic anemia and hyperpigmentation in a Nigerian. Report of case. Blood.1966; 28 :770–5.4. Marks VJ, Briggaman RA, Wheeler CE., Jr Hyperpigmentation in megaloblastic anemia. J Am Acad Dermatol.1985; 12 (5 Pt 2):914–7.5. Noppakun N, Swasdikul D. Reversible hyperpigmentation of skin and nails with white hair due to Vitamin B12 deficiency. Arch Dermatol.1986; 122 :896–9.6. Lee SH, Lee WS, Whang KC, Lee SJ, Chung JB. Hyperpigmentation in megaloblastic anemia. Int J Dermatol.1988; 27 :571–5.7. Takeichi T, Hsu CK, Yang HS, Chen HY, Wong TW, Tsai WL, et al. Progressive hyperpigmentation in a Taiwanese child due to an inborn error of Vitamin B12 metabolism (cblJ) Br J Dermatol.2015; 172 :1111–5.8. Agrawala RK, Sahoo SK, Choudhury AK, Mohanty BK, Baliarsinha AK. Pigmentation in Vitamin B12 deficiency masquerading Addison's pigmentation: A rare presentation. Indian J Endocrinol Metab.2013; 17 (Suppl 1):S254–6.9. Simsek OP, Gönç N, Gümrük F, Cetin M. A child with Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting with pancytopenia and hyperpigmentation. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol.2004; 26 :834–6.10. Demir N, Dogan M, Koç A, Kaba S, Bulan K, Ozkol HU, et al. Dermatological findings of Vitamin B12 deficiency and resolving time of these symptoms. Cutan Ocul Toxicol.2014; 33 :70–3. Articles from Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care are provided here courtesy of Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Publications : Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting with hyperpigmentation and pancytopenia

   What hormone is responsible for melasma?

   Melasma is a skin condition that causes patches of dark skin on areas of the face exposed to the sun. Melasma is a common skin disorder. It most often appears in young women with brownish skin tone, but it can affect anyone. Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is common in:

   Pregnant womenWomen taking birth control pills ( oral contraceptives )Women who are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause.

   Being in the sun makes melasma more likely to develop. The problem is more common in tropical climates. The only symptom of melasma is a change in skin color. However, this color change can cause distress about your appearance. The skin color changes are most often an even brown color.

   Creams that contain certain substances to improve the appearance of melasmaChemical peels or topical steroid creamsLaser treatments to remove the dark pigment if melasma is severeStopping hormone medicines that may be causing the problemMedicines taken by mouth

   Melasma often fades over several months after you stop taking hormone medicines or your pregnancy ends. The problem may come back in future pregnancies or if you use these medicines again. It may also come back from sun exposure. Contact your provider if you have darkening of your face that does not go away.

   Wear clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.Try to avoid being in the sun during midday, when ultraviolet light is most intense.Use high-quality sunscreens, preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 30. Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB light.Apply sunscreen before going out into the sun, and reapply often – at least every 2 hours while in the sun.Use sunscreen year-round, including in the winter.Avoid sun lamps, tanning beds, and tanning salons.

   Other things to know about sun exposure:

   Sun exposure is stronger in or near surfaces that reflect light, such as water, sand, concrete, and areas painted white.Sunlight is more intense at the beginning of the summer.Skin burns faster at higher altitudes.

   Chloasma; Mask of pregnancy; Pregnancy mask Dinulos JGH. Light-related diseases and disorders of pigmentation. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif’s Clinical Dermatology,7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 19. James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM.

   Disturbances of pigmentation. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology,13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 36. Updated by: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C.

   Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

   Can turmeric remove melasma?

   Home Remedies – In general, home remedies aren’t incredibly effective at improving melasma. A few alternative remedies, like turmeric and aloe vera, have shown at least some success at improving melasma.   However, there’s not enough info to recommend aloe or turmeric as melasma treatments, and conventional treatments work faster and grant better end results.

   Is melasma caused by stress?

   All About Melasma – By Dr.P. Phanisri Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023 Written By Dermatologist • 15 Years Exp. Diploma in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy -, MBBS A common skin condition, which causes the discoloration of your skin in patches across the face, is more of a social embarrassment and cause for distress rather than being a serious condition. Although it affects men as well, studies have shown that over 90 percent of patients are women.

   1. It is also known as the mask of as many pregnant women develop this skin condition.
   2. Causes of Melasma Primary causes of melasma have been attributed to various hormonal changes within the body.
   3. Let’s look at some of the factors that may cause this disorder: 1.
   4. Pregnancy: This is often attributed as the leading cause of melasma, the primary cause has often been attributed to hormonal changes that a woman may experience due to pregnancy.2.

   Treatments that may change hormonal balance: Women on contraceptive pills or who have such as intrauterine devices may also develop this disorder. This is due to the balance of estrogen and being changed within the body.3. Sun exposure: Continued sun exposure may also lead to melasma.

   This is due to the activation of melanocytes within the body which start producing more melanin.4. : Long periods of stress on the body can also trigger hormonal changes and cause melasma.5. Thyroid problems: If someone suffers from Hypothyroidism or low levels of the thyroid hormone, it can trigger other hormonal changes and also cause this skin disorder.

   It has also been noticed that people with generally a darker skin tone tend to get melasma and it is less common in people with fairer skin. Certain characteristics of Melasma Melasma develops in certain patterns which can be easily diagnosed either as spots on the skin similar to freckles or brown patches of skin that grow bigger.

   Some of these patterns are: a. Malar pattern: This grows on the nose and cheeks b. Mandibular pattern: Starts growing around the jaw line c. Brachial melasma: This grows on the upper arms and shoulders d. Lateral cheek pattern: Grows on the cheek on both sides of the face e. Centrofacial pattern: Nose, upper lips, forehead and cheeks Treatment of Melasma Most women who develop melasma during pregnancy report that it goes away after childbirth.

   However certain forms of melasma may appear in non-pregnant women due to hormonal changes. Treating the underlying hormonal changes usually resolves the problem. However certain other methods may be required to resolve the issues such as skin creams,, and microdermabrasion.240 people found this helpful Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors : All About Melasma – By Dr.P. Phanisri

   What pills get rid of melasma?

   Oral tranexamic acid (OTA) is a synthetic drug initially FDA approved to treat bleeding disorders, but it has also been found to treat melasma and other hyperpigmentation disorders effectively (Chauncey). Today, dermatologists prescribe oral tranexamic acid at low dosages to help reduce melasma and provide a clearer and more even skin tone.

   Can vitamin C make melasma worse?

   Vitamin C speeds up cell restoration and regeneration, which can help to repair damaged skin cells along the way. Vitamin C has been shown to inhibit the production of melanin, slowing or stopping the darkening of the skin caused by dark spots and melasma.

   How do I clear my melasma?

   Common melasma treatments – The most commonly used treatments for melasma are skin lightening medications that are applied topically. These include medications such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, cysteamine, rucinol, and tranexamic acid.

   • These medications work by reducing pigment production and inflammation, and by reducing excess blood vessels in the skin that contribute to melasma.
   • Pregnant women (who constitute a big proportion of melasma patients) should avoid most of these medications except for azelaic acid, which is a safe choice during pregnancy.

   Hydroquinone is a commonly used skin lightener that should only be used for a limited time due to side effects that may happen with prolonged use. It can be used for up to six months for initial treatment and then occasionally if needed. In most patients a combination therapy is needed for treatment for melasma.

   How can I permanently remove melasma?

   Is there a cure for melasma? – Melasma is hard to treat. To determine a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will have to first figure out what’s possibly causing the melasma. Is it sunlight? Your birth control? Genetics? Your soap? Too much screen time? Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment within a few months.

   • Hormone treatments, specifically ones that involve estrogen.
   • Birth control, specifically oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone.
   • LED light from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet.
   • Makeup you find irritating to your skin.
   • Medications that may cause or worsen melasma.
   • Scented soaps.
   • Skin care products that irritate your skin.
   • Tanning beds.
   • Waxing, which can aggravate the melasma.
   

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