Are you late everywhere because you have to spend too much time covering dark spots on your face with the right shade of makeup before an outing? Do you worry that these dark patches will cause permanent damage to your skin? If your answer is yes - this blog is for you.
What is Skin Pigmentation?
One often hears the terms ‘pigmentation’, and ‘hyperpigmentation’ used interchangeably. But what do they really mean? They are broad terms used to describe dark patches and spots forming on your face. How are these dark patches formed in the first place? A pigment called melanin is responsible for giving our skin its colour. Melanin is generally distributed evenly throughout the body’s skin. However, dark spots and patches form on certain parts of the body that produce more melanin than others, leading to hyperpigmentation and pigmentation.
Reasons For Pigmentation On The Face
Here are some external and internal reasons for pigmentation. It may be difficult to control the external factors, but you can make dietary and lifestyle changes to control internal factors.
External causes for skin pigmentation
- Ultraviolet radiation/sunlight exposure
- Pollution
- Friction: frequent scrubbing or rubbing towels on the skin
- Skin injuries
- Reaction to medications
Internal causes for skin pigmentation
- Hormonal imbalance
- Genetics
- Skin ageing
- Skin disorders and inflammation
- Pregnancy hormones
- PCOD: Polycystic Ovarian Disorder
- Hypothyroidism
Also read: Dark circles treatment
Types of Skin Pigmentation Disorders
Melasma
Research refers to this condition as the mask of pregnancy, where large patches of darkened skin appear on the forehead, face, and around the stomach.
Cause: Birth control pills
Age spots
Solar lentigines cause dark spots and tan that appear on the skin with over-exposure to the sun.
Cause: Develops with age after extended sun exposure
Post-inflammation
Hyperpigmentation causes patches of darker skin that appear on the neck and the face. This can occur after getting skin conditions that involve inflammation—for instance, acne or eczema.
Cause: Injury or skin inflammation
Freckles
They are a cluster of tiny dark spots that appear on the face.
Cause: Genetic factors, sun exposure
Photo-Melanosis
It causes patches of pigmentation on the face, around the neck, arms, or back.
Cause: Chronic sun exposure
As you can see, a significant reason for pigmentation is sun exposure.
Ayurvedic View on Pigmentation
Ayurveda functions on a Tridosha philosophy- namely, the Vata, Kapha and Pitta doshas. If they’re in balance, bodily functions are said to run smoothly. A sub dosha of Pitta governs your skin colour. When this sub dosha is out of balance, one observes skin concerns like pigmentation and dark patches on the face.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Pigmentation
Pigmentation treatment in Ayurveda is the most harmless way to treat your skin. The side effects are minimal. Let’s take a look at some of the best ayurvedic treatments for pigmentation on the face.
Sun tanning
Mix curd and turmeric and apply them to the affected areas. Keep it on for 15 minutes and wash it with cold water for tan removal. Try to use this paste daily for better results.
Use: As per studies, Curd contains lactic acid, a skin-lightening agent, and turmeric fights toxins and removes dead cells due to its antiseptic properties.
Skin lightening
Mix gram flour and rice powder with water and apply it to the pigmented area for 10 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.
Use: As per research, gram flour and rice flour are rich in proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins. These nutrients make the skin healthier and reduce extra oil in the skin by removing dead cells.
Uneven skin tone
Add rose water to two spoons of milk powder and one tablespoon of lemon juice to make a paste, and then apply it for 20 minutes and rinse it.
Use: As per studies, Milk powder is a natural bleaching agent and helps you get even-toned bright and glowing skin.
Instant radiance
Make a mask out of mashed papaya, apply it for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water.
Use: The enzymes present in papaya work as an exfoliant and remove dead skin cells to ensure an even skin tone.
Blackheads and dark marks
Add one spoon of orange juice to one spoon of sandalwood powder. Make a paste and apply it to the affected area and leave it for 30 minutes. Then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Use: As per studies, sandalwood’s anti-ageing properties and cold, fresh potency help in natural skin whitening by inhibiting the synthesis of skin pigment.
Best Ayurvedic Treatment for Pigmentation on Face
Kumkumadi oil for pigmentation on the face
Apply Kumkumadi oil with a mixture of turmeric and aloe vera cream. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that calm aggravated skin down, and aloe vera is a popular skin-whitening agent.
Herbal baths for pigmentation on the face
A full body massage is highly beneficial for blood circulation along your skin. Ayurveda also emphasizes applying honey, turmeric and sandalwood while bathing. These ingredients are especially recognized as Pitta-pacifying, which help with radiant skin free from pigmentation.
What are the other Natural Remedies for Pigmentation?
- Avoid direct sun exposure.
- Use UV-A and UV-B Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher.
- Use natural herbal sunscreen indoors as well.
- No frequent and vigorous use of scrubs and loofah
- Avoid using perfumes and cosmetics if you have allergies.
- Avoid excess amounts of sugar and follow a balanced diet rich in nutrients like Vitamin C.
- Do asanas and regular exercise to keep your mind calm because excessive stress and depression can also lead to skin pigmentation.
- Change lifestyle and follow a proper skincare routine.
- Try to use natural depigmenting ingredients like aloe vera and red onion. You can apply them as gels directly on your dark patches, leave them overnight, and then wash them off with lukewarm water.
- These herbal plants are nowadays extracted to develop creams for scar lightening and skin improvement. For instance, Kojic acid cream from Derma Co, Bye Bye Blemishes Face Cream for Reducing pigmentation, and Blemishes with Mulberry Extract and Vitamin C from MamaEarth.
So Can Ayurvedic Treatment Remove Pigmentation From Face
Yes! Ayurvedic treatments will definitely show results for pigmentation removal and reduced dark spots. Mother nature has the answers, so you need not look for expensive medical treatments for these skin concerns!
Also read: Uneven skin tone treatment
References
Ana Carolina Handel, Luciane Donida Bartoli Miot Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review (Official Publication of The Brazilian Society of Dermatology) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4155956/
Jasmine C. Hollinger, Kunal Angra (2018) Are Natural Ingredients Effective in the Management of Hyperpigmentation? A Systematic Review (The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843359/
Rashmi Saxena Pal, Yogendra Pal (2017) In-House Preparation and Standardization of Herbal Face Pack (The Open Dermatology Journal) https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1ca2/5c17343fd28d0dfa868e2abd0919f8e986dd.pdf
Nico Smit,1, Jana Vicanova (2009) The Hunt for Natural Skin Whitening Agents (International Journal of Molecular Sciences) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2801997/
Ronald L. Moy, Corey Levenson (2017)Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in Dermatology (The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5749697/
