Melasma

Melasma (chloasma faciei) are dark discoloured patches on the face. It can affect anyone, particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications. It is known as ‘the mask of pregnancy’ when it occurs in pregnant women.

1. Brownish colored symmetrical patches usually appear on the cheeks, forehead.
2. Hyperpigmentation.
3. Blackish discolouration of face.
4. Darkening of the skin.

• Changes in hormones during pregnancy (chloasma), hormone treatment, or while taking birth control pills.
• Sun exposure.
• certain skin care products, if they irritate a person’s skin.
• Mainly anger and excessive hard work.
• It may be genetic, as people whose close relatives have experienced melasma are more likely to develop it themselves.

In Ayurveda this condition is similar to Vyang. According to Ayurveda, there are three elements present in our body: vata, pitta and kapha. Vata and pitta reside in the skin. As the skin covers the whole body, vata and pitta should be maintained in a proper state, and it needs continuous care. Melasma is a condition where imbalanced Pitta along with Vata vitiate the blood and produce blackish patches on the face which is called Vyanga.

Treatment protocol aims at:

1. Treating skin discolouration and maintaining normal skin complexion.
2. Regular intake of supplements can help in long term relief and rejuvenating the whole body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol:

• Brownish coloured patches, hyper pigmentation, blackish discoloration of face, darkening of skin - All these conditions are due to many reasons like hormonal imbalance, genetic changes and some unknown causes. Daruharidra, Shankha vati, Sariva, Sarivadi vati, Kaishora guggulu, Musta will help to purify the blood and balance the doshas, through this process abnormal hyperpigmentation can be prevented.
• Manjistha, Chandraprabha vati will rejuvenate the skin cells and Manjistha improves complexion and lightens dark spots.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other treatments - Nasya (pouring medicated oil through nostrils), Bloodletting therapy,  Lepana (Topical application of herbs), Abhyanga (Oil massage), Practicing pranayama and yoga asanas help to relieve stress and give a long time relief from Melasma.

Daruharidra, Shankha vati, Sariva, Sarivadi vati, Kaishora guggulu, Musta, Manjistha, Chandraprabha vati