Melasma is diffuse pigmentation that appears on the face.
 |
| Melasma - Pic courtesy of WebMD |
When it first appears during pregnancy, it’s termed chloasma or the mask of pregnancy. Influenced by oral contraceptives, hormone replace therapy, and of course, pregnancy, it’s pretty clear that hormones play a role in causing this problem.
I’ve had melasma on my cheeks and forehead for quite a while. Years ago, my dermatologist prescribed a hydroquinone based cream, which I used for a few weeks. It didn’t help – (though honestly I don’t think I used it long enough to make a difference). After some reading I decided it was too dangerous to keep using. Good call. In 2006, the FDA proposed revoking hydroquinone’s generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) rating, claiming it might be a carcinogen and that it may cause a “medical condition in humans known as ochronosis (skin darkening and disfiguration) when it is applied topically. [1] Hmmm..., getting ochronosis sort of defeats the purpose of trying to get rid of pigmentation, doesn’t it?
Melasma can be treated with lasers. I used to look at my forehead and imagine how nice it would be for a laser to take away the blotches, but never took the plunge. The treatment is expensive and from my reading, it often isn’t effective.
Then, at the suggestion of a friend, I started taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) daily to aid digestion. I did this at the same time that I totally changed my eating habits. The melasma on my forehead very slowly and gradually started to fade, but I didn’t know what was causing the change.
After some months, my bottle of apple cider vinegar was finished and decided to stop taking it. I couldn’t ascribe any specific change to the ACV, so I wasn’t sure it was doing anything. Two or three days after I stopped, my forehead became sensitive and started tingling – a lot! The bangs on my forehead felt unbearable brushing against my skin. I was very surprised to see that the melasma on my forehead which had lightened was now coming back.
This sensitive, tingly feeling was one I’d experience periodically (at a lesser intensity). I now realise it was the feeling of my melasma getting worse or better. And sure enough, after a few itchy tingly days without apple cider vinegar, I started taking it again daily and the feeling went away. The melasma continued getting lighter.
Interestingly enough, after I made the connection between apple cider vinegar and melasma, I googled the two and discovered that ACV is a known treatment for melasma. I inadvertently did a double-blind experiment. Both me and my forehead had no idea ACV could help with melasma.
Today the melasma on my forehead is completely gone! Hallelujah. I think the blotches on my cheeks are a little fainter because I find myself bothered less by them, but it’s hard to be sure. One thing I do know - my melasma hasn’t gotten worse as one would expect from the passage of time.
This post was shared with Butter Believer and Homestead Revival.
This post was shared with Butter Believer and Homestead Revival.
7 comments:
I read something similar on the Cheeseslave blog...but there it was when the lady gave up coffee that the melasma started to go away. How do you take your apple cider vinegar and how much do you take at a time?
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)
What is the dosage and how do you take it?
I take between a tsp. to a tbsp. of raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of water every day. At first it was just a tsp. or even less, until I got used to the taste. Now I don't measure, I just pour a bit into the glass.
This is so interesting! I wonder why it works? I've never heard of ACV affecting your hormones.
I struggle with acne so I know how you feel about the melasma being the first thing you notice when you look in the mirror. I'm so glad you've found something that helps treat it!
a double blind experiment. super hilarious!
Vinegar is really great. It can be used for healing and cleaning. I bet it has a lot more purposes too. I guess that's why my affordable orthodontics told me to clean my braces with vinegar, it is a good dirt removal tool.
Apple Cider vinegar is rly one of the best home remedies ever. I know that because my grandpa made it from natural wild apples. And the best kind of Vinegar is Organic Natural made from wild apples. The most of people use just crystal clear ACV and that is mistake. Always look for organic.
In my family ACV has been present for more that 4 decades. I myself writing a blog about Apple Cider Vinegar and all I can say about your post it that this article is really great and informative.
Post a Comment