April 30, 2010

Treatment for Pigmentation & Skin Discoloration

Posted in Category : Beauty

We all have pigment melanin in our body that determines the color of our skin and eyes. Some people have this pigment in a greater quantity than others. And, the more pigment melanin in our body the darker our skin appears. The concentration of melanin in our body is different in different parts. So, the part that has more melanin may appear darker than the other body parts. This is the reason for a person to suffer from dark patches on the skin. As we grow older, melanin in the body also increases causing a condition like hyper-pigmentation which most usually affects the cheeks and forehead of a person. There are hordes of fading cream available in the market to get rid of the discoloration. But oftentimes these are either expensive, ineffective or have harmful side effects. So, one can use natural products to treat pigmentation effectively.

Home Remedies

One of the most important things to do to prevent and treat pigmentation is wearing sunscreen lotion 20 minutes before stepping out in the sun. Vinegar is also a product that can get rid of discoloration, lighten skin tone and make the skin smoother because of its acetic properties. You can mix equal quantities of apple cider vinegar, or any other type, and water and cleanse the pigmented area with it. Let the skin air dry to seal in moisture. You can also mix vinegar with onion juice or dip a sliced onion in vinegar and rub it on the pigmented area. Application of lemon juice on the area also gets rid of discoloration. You can apply the juice and keep it overnight to see a difference in about five days. But, you must make sure that you don’t step out in the sun with the lemon juice still on. It will cause the skin to patch more. A thick paste made from oatmeal, tomato juice and yogurt could also be applied. Let it stay for about 20 minutes and wash it off with cold water. It will get rid of pigmentation effectively.

Other than these methods, you must keep a check on your diet as it plays an important role in keeping the skin healthy and glowing. Consume a balanced diet with as many fruits, raw vegetables, and green leafy vegetables as possible as these are rich in Vitamin E, which is beneficial for the skin. Drinking lots of water and getting moderate exercise regularly also helps in maintaining the skin tone.