How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Melasma?

Melasma is a common skin problem for women in comparison to men. Amongst women, pregnant women are at high risk in comparison to non-pregnant women. Usually, this skin condition fades away on its own, and if it doesn't happen one can take help with clinical treatments and home remedies such as apple cider vinegar. In this particular write-up let us see how to use apple cider vinegar for melasma.

What Is Melasma?

Melasma is a kind of common skin problem associated with discolored and dark patches on the skin. It is even known as chloasma meaning the "mask of pregnancy" when pregnant women get this condition. Its presence in women is high and as said by the American Academy of Dermatology, 90% of persons who have melasma are women. Although the fact is sore there is nothing to worry about as science has the best treatment for melasma on the face and other body parts.

Symptoms Of Melasma

The common symptom associated with melasma is the appearance of discolored patches on the skin, usually brown. These patches are darker than the usual color of the skin. Melasma typically occurs on two sides of the face and is symmetrical, with identical marks on 2 sides. Other skin parts of the body get affected when they are exposed to too much sun.

The common parts where melasma occurs include;

• Forehead
• Bridge of the nose
• Cheeks
• Chin
• Forearms and neck (rare)

The discolored skin is usually harmless but emotionally it may unbalance a person especially for the ones who are beauty & appearance-conscious.

One can try apple cider vinegar for skin problems such as this or meet a dermatologist if you wish for a quick solution.

Causes Of Melasma

Evidence is not completely clear on what leads to melasma however, dark-skinned people are at higher risk in comparison to fair-skinned ones. Science has also revealed that sensitivity to progesterone and estrogen is also one condition. As such pregnancy, hormone therapy, birth control pills too can trigger this condition. A few studies have also pinpointed thyroid diseases and stress.

Besides, exposure of the skin to the sun's ultraviolet rays can also awaken this condition as these rays affect the cells that regulate pigment (melanocytes).

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Melasma?

Yes, although there is no proper medical evidence for the same, the truth is that many have found the remedy for melasma in apple cider vinegar. While the majority of them use it as an external treatment option, a few others have also found remedy by drinking a diluted solution of this natural ingredient. People also apply apple cider vinegar on their face overnight to see melasma disappear.

[Also Read: Benefits and uses of apple cider vinegar]

Tips To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Melasma

There are 2 ways of using apple cider vinegar to treat melasma, one, you take it internally i.e., drink it in diluted form or add apple cider vinegar as a dressing to your foods. The second is you apply it to the affected regions in combination with other ingredients or diluted form.

Apply It As A Toner

For ages, apple cider vinegar has been a good friend of skin. It is a cleanser, toner, and lightener. The acetic acid present in it acts as a natural exfoliator and pushes cell renewal thereby decreasing melasma and other skin problems.

To use it as a remedy for melasma take equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water, mix them well and rub it with a clean cotton ball on the affected area. Allow it to dry and wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Apple Cider Vinegar As A Drink

Take 1 or 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it in a glass of water to consume it everyday morning. Repeat the process till you notice a change in it.

Apple Cider Vinegar Broth

In case a leaky gut is causing you melasma, make bone broth and add apple cider vinegar to it and consume it on a regular basis. However, don't add more than 1/4th of apple cider vinegar to the bone broth.

Other Home Remedies For Melasma

• Apply a mix of papaya and honey, combine both of them into a paste and apply on the affected area, rinse after 20 minutes.
• Apply fresh aloe vera pulp and massage it gently. Wash after 15 minutes.
• Mash onions, mix with apple cider vinegar and turmeric. Apply this on the face and cleanse after 20 minutes.
• Grate cucumber and simply apply the pulp, wash with mild water after 15 minutes.

You can also use turmeric powder and raw milk besides apple cider vinegar for melasma.