Ayurvedic Treatment for Skin Discoloration and Pigmentation Disorder

General Introduction

We all want to look young and beautiful and skin is the largest external organ that plays a significant role in showing up our personality and we must concentrate to take care of our skin. Skin diseases and skin infections like – Skin discoloration, pigmentation, and dark spots are becoming quite common these days due to the increasing pollution, global warming, our modern lifestyle, our wrong dietary habits, etc., which occur due to hormonal imbalance, irregular sleep or any other complication.

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition characterized by darker skin as compared to the surrounding skin. Hyperpigmentation includes – Age spots, Melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, etc. Many times females use BB creams, concealers and other chemicals rich temporary solutions to solve their skin problems but they forget to focus on the root of the problem but do not worry, the solution to this is available.

Causes for Skin Discoloration and Hyper Pigmentation Of The Skin

discoloration and skin pigmentation due to various reasons. Some of them are listed below –

1. Exposure to Sunlight

It is the most common cause of hyperpigmentation due to the presence of harmful ultraviolet rays which trigger the mechanism of melanogenesis.

2. Age Spots and Freckles

Age spots and freckles may also lead to hyperpigmentation.

3. Inflammation and Injury of the Skin

It may also lead to hyperpigmentation of the skin.

4. Melasma 

It is a common skin condition occurring in the females, characterized by brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face, cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above the upper lip.

5. Chloasma 

When Melasma occurs in a pregnant woman then it is called Chloasma faciei.

6. Fungal Infections

Certain fungal infections may also lead to Hyperpigmentation like – Tinea cruris, Tinea corporis and Tinea versicolor. 

7. Metabolic Causes 

Certain metabolic causes may lead to hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration like – Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, Acanthosis nigricans, etc.

8. Certain Health Conditions 

Many health conditions may also lead to skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation like – Celiac disease, Haemochromatosis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Porphyria, Grave’s disease, Allergic contact dermatitis, Eczema, Medullary cystic kidney disease, Ichthyosis Vulgaris, etc.

9. Certain Medications 

Certain medications like – Antimalarials, NSAIDS, cytotoxic drugs, and psychotropic drugs can promote hyperpigmentation.

10. Causes According to Ayurveda –

• According to Ayurveda, certain causes can lead to Skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation, which can be –
• After exposure to excessive pressure, crushing, physical assault, and serious or extensive injury.
• Due to poisonous insect bite, from contact with poisonous leaves, creepers and shrubs, from consuming fish, from eating sand and mud and from using excessive salt.

Ayurvedic Perspective 

All of these skin conditions have been described under the category of kshudra roga, which means minor diseases. The Yoga Ratnakar, has described the hyperpigmentation to be correlated with  Nyasha, Neelika, Vyanga –

• Nyasha or Laanchan – It is a large or small patch blackish or brownish-black in color and painless and is found in any part of the body except the face.
•  Vyanga/Mukh Vyanga/jhaai – These patches are painless, thin and black or brownish-black in color. They are called vyanga.
• Neelika or Neeli jhaai – This has similar properties to Vyanga, present over the face or body and is darker in color as compare to Vyanga.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Skin Discoloration and Pigmentation Disorder

Following Ayurvedic remedies are helpful –

1. Turmeric Milk Paste

This paste is very beneficial in treating skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation. You can take cow’s milk and add turmeric powder to it and apply this paste on your face.

2. Milk, Red Lentil, Ghee-Paste 

Local application of this paste makes the face clean and clear in a few days. You can make this paste by taking grinded red lentils with milk and clarified butter to form a paste.

3. Ankur, Red Lentil Powder Paste 

This paste is also very beneficial. You can take Ankur (Ficus bengalensis) and red lentils and grind them together to make a paste and apply locally on your skin.

4. Cannabis Leaf-Vidhari Paste 

This is also very useful. You can take the leaves of Bhaang  (Cannabis sativa), the root of Vidhari (Argyreia speciosa) and the root of Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) to make a paste and apply over the affected area.

5. Nutmeg  Paste

Take Nutmeg powder (Myristica fragrans) and make a paste and locally apply this paste over your skin. This remedy is very helpful in managing skin pigmentation and discoloration.

6. Kumkumadi Oil 

This oil makes the face appear clean, clear and beautiful. You can massage this oil on the face to get rid of hyperpigmented skin.

7. Manjishtadi Oil 

It is moisturizing and is also very helpful in delaying wrinkles. Local application of Manjishtadi tailamis useful to make the face healthy and cheerful.

8. Manjistha-Honey Paste

Take Manjishtha powder (Rubia cordifolia) and add honey to form a paste. Local application of this paste is useful for skin discoloration and pigmentation.

9. Arjuna Formula Paste

Make a paste by taking the bark of the Arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna), Manjishtha(Rubia cordifolia) and Arusa (Adhatoda vasica) in equal amounts and add honey to it. Local application of this paste is helpful in skin discoloration and pigmentation.

10. Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera contains Aloin in it, which is a natural depigmenting compound that has been showing great results in lightening the skin and works effectively as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment. You can simply apply pure aloe vera gel to pigmented areas of the skin at night and rinse using warm water the next morning. Repeat daily, for better results.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which shows great results in lightening the pigmentation. Combine equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a container and apply this mixture to your dark patches and leave it on for 2-3 minutes. Now rinse using lukewarm water. Repeat twice daily to achieve the best results.