Our world is a magnificently diverse and beautiful place, with millions of species of animals and plants, capped off by the most dominant species – human beings. From language, culture, clothing styles to height, eye color, shape, hair color and most important skin, human beings have many things that make them unique from one another. Have you ever wondered that why we all have different skin or hair color? The answer is “Melanin”. The different skin color of the human is due to the presence of pigment melanin.

Higher the melanin content in the body, darker will be the skin tone. If you are facing some dark brown spots on your jaw line, cheek bones, forehead…It sounds like you are struggling with melasma. Sun ‘stache, a mask of pregnancy, melasma goes by many names. No matter what its name is, it is hard to control facial discoloration. It becomes frustrating and often unavoidable.

What is melasma actually?

Melasma is a skin condition in which light-to-dark brown patches of pigment form on the face due to the stimulation of melanocytes. Melanocytes are the melanin producing cells or produce skin darkening pigment. Melasma on the face is a common skin problem.

Is there any difference between melasma and hyper-pigmentation?

Both melasma pigmentation and hyper-pigmentation are closely related. Melasma occurs due to hormonal imbalance while hyper-pigmentation is the result of residual damage. Melasma can occur more frequently as compared to hyper-pigmentation. Melasma is more commonly seen in people with frequent tan or has natural brown skin (Fitzpatrick skin types 3 & 4) as compared to people who have fair skin (skin type 1 & 2) or dark skin (skin type 5 or 6).

Main Causes of Melasma

Melasma is due to increase in the melanin pigment in your skin. There are certain factors which can trigger melasma in the body. These are;

Sun exposure during summers is the most common cause of the melasma. While melasma due to pregnancy sometimes fade away after the child birth. These dark spots can be the cause of frustration or humiliation. So stop worrying now. If you have a problem, then we have a solution!!! Get ready to shine with flawless or spot free skin. This will help in melasma cure. Just follow these best treatments for melasma on the face. You can choose from different treatment options whether you want to go for melasma natural treatments or you want to choose melasma skin treatment. Here you go…

Home Remedies for Melasma Treatment

If you are fond of the natural remedies to treat melasma, then you’ll be happy after this. First just avoid things that trigger the melasma or re-occurrence of melasma. Following are the remedies that act as the best solution for melasma:

Sun protection: Again you have the choice. Either you can use sun screen while going out or you can include plenty of sun protecting foods that will help in melasma removal. Tomatoes, lemon, carrots, green tea, citrus fruits etc are the best foods that act as the sun protectors.

Tomatoes: Ladies!!! Do not use the tomato only to taste or for nutrition for your family, it’s time to use it for your skin. Tomato contains anti-oxidant known as lycopene which will help to maintain your youth. It will protect your skin from the sun. Simply just add tomatoes to your diet, in the salad or you can eat it anytime. Or if you are not a big fan of tomato, you can go for lycopene supplement as a substitute.

Carrots: Other than the tomatoes, carrots are the best food to eat and are great sun protector. Carrots contain beta-carotene which is also an anti-oxidant and gives protection to your skin from harmful UV rays. Along with the sun protection, it also helps to repair the damaged skin cells leaving your skin spot free. Eating 5-6 carrots in a day will be the best melasma skin care and will reverse melasma

Fruits & Berries: Fruits and berries are the rich sources of vitamins & anti-oxidants that will give the protection to your skin from sun exposure and help to reduce dark spots on the face due to melasma. Eat as much as fruits like grapes, strawberries, blueberries, oranges and pomegranates etc. Splash the fruit juice to add a glow to your skin.

Green Tea: Green tea is the best for melasma skin care. It contains the catechins that fight the free radicals and protects your skin during sun exposure. Drink green tea just 1-2 times in a day or try for supplements having green tea extract. On a simpler way, you can rub ice cubes of green tea on the face too.

Best Cream/Topical for melasma Treatment

If you are allergic to any natural ingredient, then there are several skin lightening creams available commercially. These lightening creams are the mainstay of the melasma. You can consult with your doctor. He/she may prescribe you skin lightening creams containing;

Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that is used to lighten the dark or pigmented skin. Hydroquinone is the best melasma treatment cream.

Kojic Acid: We all love eating rice but do you know that rice can also help you to get rid of these patches on your skin. Kojic Acid is a by-product of rice fermentation. It is the second most common bleaching agent and can reduce melasma naturally.

Ascorbic Acid: Ascorbic acid is one of the vitamins for melasma that act effectively to treat dark spots. Ascorbic acid is also known as vitamin C. This will surely make your skin clear…melasma free skin. Along with clear skin, it will make skin smoother and protects your skin from sun damage.

Retinoid: Mostly retinoid is used in combination with the hydroquinone to treat melasma. Serums are also available which can be used instead of these topical. Retinoid is basically from the family vitamin A. Try to choose products containing retinol as it gives better and faster results for treating melasma.

Azelaic Acid: Azelaic acid is usually derived from the grains we eat. It is derived from wheat, barley, rye. Along with the acne treatment, it also helps to reduce melasma pigmentation. Look for the products which are a combination of azelaic acid, ascorbic acid or retinoid. This can work as a miracle to cure melasma.