Melasma Natural Treatment

Last Updated on February 16, 2019 by Marc Seward

We worship the sun. Unfortunately, catching those glorious rays can have a damaging effect on the skin. Melasma is where brown patches start to appear on the skin, especially on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and upper-lip area.

These brown spots are mainly the result of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which leads to an overproduction of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that produces color to our skin.

Causes

There are a number of reasons those pesky brown patches can appear on our skin. One of the main reasons is exposure to the sun. Melasma has also been associated with pregnancy, taking birth control pills, stress, anxiety, faulty thyroid gland, or an unfortunate side effect of some medications and cosmetics.

Treatment

These brown spots can be distressing, marring your complexion. However, before you shell out hundreds of dollars on pricey creams and laser surgery, there are many natural remedies to try first.

Many of these natural home remedies you can make with the ingredients in your cupboard, costing you next to nothing. These natural remedies are often preferred because they are less invasive, rejuvenate your skin, and are easier on your pocketbook.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is nature’s bleach and often looked upon as the most effective treatment for melasma. The acidic nature of lemon juice exfoliates the top layer of skin off, peeling away the pigmented skin with it. The high vitamin C content found in lemon is also effective for reducing the pigment in the skin.

There are a couple ways you can use lemon to treat the sun damage on your skin:

Juice one fresh lemon. Apply it on the sun-damaged areas and gently massage it into your skin for a minute or two. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water. If you do this twice a day everyday, you should start to see results within 3 weeks.
Make a healing lemon and honey mask. Mix equal parts fresh lemon juice and honey and then smooth over the skin. Cover your face with a warm towel for 15 minutes. The heat from the towel will open up your pores and really allow your skin to absorb the healing effects of the lemon and honey. Once the 15 minutes are up, rinse off. Use mask as often as you like to help treat your melasma.
To make a healing paste, mix turmeric into the juice of one squeezed lemon. Apply the paste to your face and leave on for 15 minutes. Use this treatment daily to see results in 3 weeks.

Please be warned that using lemon on your skin for more than 20 minutes at a time can have an adverse effect on your skin.
Also, the use of lemon juice directly on the skin is not suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a known skin lightener that reduces the appearance of brown spots caused by melasma and also fades the tan caused by sun exposure. Curcumin, the active ingredient in the turmeric spice, contains antioxidants that help flush out toxins from the skin, also making it an effective acne treatment.

If you want to experience this double treat, make a delightful turmeric mask to cure your skin woes:

Mix 5 tablespoons of turmeric powder with 10 tablespoons of whole milk and stir until the mixture turns into a paste. It is recommended that you use whole milk because it contains lactic acid, which exfoliates and softens the skin.
To thicken the paste, add one tablespoon of gram flour.
Apply the mixture evenly to the effected area and allow to air dry for 20 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Apply this mask daily for best results.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of those miracle products you’re always reading about. It not only provides relief to your digestive tract and gives you luxurious hair, but it is also known for giving its users radiant, beautiful glowing skin. Apple cider vinegar contains raw enzymes and friendly bacteria that helps balance the pH of the skin.

When applied topically, the acetic acid found in the vinegar bleaches the brown spots on and creates a smoother, more radiant surface.

Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
Apply the solution directly to the discolored spots on your skin and allow to air dry.
Rinse off with lukewarm water and then pat your skin dry. Apply this treatment once a day, everyday.

Onion Juice

Onion juice is another effective treatment for melasma. Onion juice not only contains nourishment to the skin cells, but it contains sulfur compounds, which removes melasma pigmentation from the skin. Onion is also known to help treat blemishes caused by acne.

Finely chop 2 or 3 onions and squeeze out the juice, mixing it with apple cider vinegar in the ration of 1:1.
Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to the affected area.
Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
It is recommended that you follow this remedy twice daily. Before applying mixture, make sure your face is clean and that all traces of make up have been removed.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera is a skin savior, not only alleviating the pain of a burn, but also for lightening skin spots from aging, the sun, and melasma. Aloe Vera contains mucilaginous polysaccharides an agent that removes dark spots and helps to restore skin to its original color. Aloe Vera also contains antioxidant properties that protects skin from damage.

You can purchase Aloe Vera gel from any health food store or pharmacy.

Apply gel directly to the affected skin and leave on for about 15 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water. Apply twice daily for 2 weeks to see best results.

Papaya

This tropical fruit has a reputation for removing dark spots from your skin, whether it be from sun damage, liver damage, or simply freckles. Papaya not only helps to treat melasma, but it also evens out skin tone and gives your skin a more youthful appearance.

There are two ways you can incorporate papaya into your skincare routine:

Mash up one papaya and apply it directly to the damaged areas of your skin. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
To make a papaya mask, mix one mashed up papaya with 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply mask to your face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water. To see results, use this mask twice a week.

Please note that if you start to feel irritation, please wash the papaya off immediately. Also, using a moisturizer helps to combat any dryness that may result from this treatment.

Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot kernel oil is packed full of fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E, which help soothe inflamed skin and helps alleviate melasma. To receive the skin healing benefits of apricot kernel oil, apply directly to the affected areas.

Oatmeal

Use oatmeal if you not only want to treat your melasma but also desire brighter, glowing skin. Oatmeal naturally exfoliates the skin by dissolving dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin free of hyperpigmentation.

To experience the benefits of oatmeal on your skin make an easy, nourishing oatmeal and honey mask:

Mix mashed oatmeal with honey to create a sort of paste.
Apply this mixture evenly to the affected area of your face.
Leave on for 30 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Horseradish

Horseradish addresses many skin problems such as discoloration, hyperpigmentation, scars, and blemishes. Horseradish contains mustard oil and vitamin C, which when working together, helps to reduce pigmentation. Horseradish also peels off damaged skin, revealing healthier skin underneath.

You can apply slices of horseradish directly to the skin. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
If you desire a more moisturizing mixture to apply to your skin, mix the horseradish with some plain yogurt.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is a Chinese herb known for reducing pigmentation in skin. When combined with ginseng, this skin lightening effect doubles.

Combine equal parts of Gotu Kola and ginseng tea, which will create a nice paste.
Apply this mixture to the affected area of your face and leave on for 15 minutes.ullet Point 2
Rinse off with warm water and repeat this process twice daily.

Prevention

Once you’ve treated your melasma, there are ways you can prevent these brown spots from coming back or even appearing in the first place.

Always be sure to wear sunscreen year around.
Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
Find ways to alleviate stress, whether it be yoga, meditation or regular exercise.
Eat balanced meals containing fruits and vegetables.
Make sure to get sufficient B12 vitamins via diet or supplement.