Hyper pigmentation is a universal issue. It is not a disease but a condition. It can happen anywhere in the body. Skin pigmentation on face is a more commonly heard of problem because blemishes on face are easily visible and make a person conscious. Hyper pigmentation is caused because of excessive generation and accumulation of a pigment called the melanin on certain areas of your skin. Its causes differ from person to person. Wherever on the skin, concentration of this pigment is more, dark patches or spots appear. This condition is called hyperpigmentation.
General cause of hyper pigmentation may be external or internal. External causes may include side effect of some medications or treatment or procedure, acne, consuming contraceptive pills, health problem connected with vital organs, excessive sun or pollution exposure, wounds, etc. Internal cause could be hormonal imbalance due to menopause, pregnancy etc.
According to Ayurveda every cell in our body along with its movement is governed by vata. Vata provides support to melanin pigment to shift or accumulate. Our complexion, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation are affected due to imbalance in vata and pitta in our body. So when you to go to an Ayurveda expert he examines the imbalance, its causes and accordingly prescribes medication or lifestyle changes to balance them.
If your Ayurveda expert believes that skin pigmentation in your case is because of imbalance in layers of skin, he may suggest various water therapies that will flush pigment causing toxins contributing to hyperpigmentation out of your body. The ayurvedic practice of drinking 6 to 8 cups of boiled water is considered a remedy. According to Ayurveda, drinking boiled water stimulates your digestive fire, which in turn helps the body to flush out toxins which cause pigmentation on your skin. Along with this water therapy the expert may also put you on other medications depending on your body type and case.
External and application type Ayurvedic home remedies for hyper pigmentation are as under:
Pigmentation on Face: Apply mixture of lemon juice and honey on your face, which acts as bleach and helps to remove skin pigmentation. Similarly paste made with yogurt, honey and cucumber juice in equal quantity can be applied, left for 20 minutes and washed off with cold water.
Pigmentation on Lips: If you have pigmentation on lips, apply ghee or castor oil as both balance vata & pitta. Apply mixture of almond oil, glycerin, honey, and rosewater.
Pigmentation in Underarms: Apply paste made with yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric and besan (gramflour) and leave it on for about 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. You will have to repeat this application for several days before you can see results.
Pigmentation under Eyes: If your under eye pigmentation is not severe then this remedy will work wonders. Apply thin cucumber or potato slices over your eyes leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
General Pigmentation Removal Remedies:
Mix and apply a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a teaspoon of lemon juice to affected area. Leave for 15 minutes wash with cold water every night before going to bed.
Extract tomato juice by grating or crushing it, add 2 teaspoons of oatmeal and add half a teaspoon of yogurt. Apply on affected area, and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
Mix potato juice with Multani mitti (fuller earth) and apply this pack on affected areas. If you have aloe Vera plant at home, extract juice from one leaf and store it in bottle and apply it every day after bath and leave it for the entire day. It is a clear sap and is an excellent sunscreen and moisturizer too. So even if you leave it throughout the day, it won’t harm in anyway.
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