Skin health depends on various factors, such as age, lifestyle, health, gender, and geographical location. From acne to pimples and freckles, blemishes, and dark spots, many issues cause negative body image, increased anxiety plus stress, and low self-esteem.
Research shows anxiety and stress can make the skin look even more uneven and dull, with some parts of the skin looking darker compared to the surrounding skin. Surveys reveal nearly 44% of women and 9% of men are concerned about hyperpigmentation.
The ancient science of Ayurveda can help balance your doshas so your complexion looks bright and flawless all year long! Natural Soul Skincare offers a range of organic beauty products based on Ayurvedic principles.
Set up a consultation with their experts so they can guide you about using the best Ayurvedic skin care products to address dark spots, acne, dullness, and other issues keeping you from glowing effortlessly.
What is Hyperpigmentation?
According to Ayurveda, the Pitta Dosha, which governs the metabolic processes in our body, is responsible for regulating different skin functions, such as thermoregulation and melanin production. Melanin provides our skin, hair, and other components a unique colour and protects them from sun damage.
Naturally, dark-skinned people have more melanin than light-coloured-skinned people. The Melanocytes cells in our skin’s base layer synthesise the melanin pigment. An aggravation of Pitta leads to melanin over-synthesis, leading to Vyanga or hyperpigmentation.
As we age, the number of melanin-producing cells in the body generally decreases. Lower melanocytes make our body prone to hyperactivity, leading to hyperpigmentation.
The hyperactivity that leads to dark spots can also be triggered due to various other factors, like an unbalanced diet, erratic schedules, skin injury, hormonal imbalances, age, tissue damage, climate, sleep deprivation, pollution, and more.
What Does Hyperpigmentation Look Like?
Although it differs according to many factors, such as the kind and cause of hyperpigmentation and skin type, it may have the appearance of round, oval, or flat patches of darkened skin, known as melisma or lentigines. Tiny darkened spots, known as freckles or an overall darker tone in body parts that don’t match the rest of the body’s skin tone, are also generally considered hyperpigmentation.
Main Causes of Hyperpigmentation
#1- Prolonged Sun Exposure
Our body’s defence mechanism is designed to meticulously deal with the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Melanin is released to reflect and absorb these rays whenever our skin is over-exposed for a prolonged period. It helps prevent direct DNA cell damage. But when the melanocytes release the melanin and transport it to the epidermis by melanosomes, it causes the skin’s uppermost layer to tan.
#2- Hormonal Imbalances
Many skin conditions are caused by hormone imbalances. For instance, Melasma is caused when melanocytes are stimulated by progesterone and estrogen into overproducing melanin. Some birth control pills and other medications can also lead to hormonal fluctuations, making one prone to hyperpigmentation and other skin issues.
#3- Age
Age spots impact elderly people with skin that has suffered from photodamage. Dark spots or uneven patches in areas more exposed to the sun are caused by ageing because the number of melanocytes gradually decreases as we age. It results in lentigines or uneven pigment distribution when aged skin is exposed to the sun for longer periods.
#4- Inflammation and Injury
Inflammation is the immune response of our body to any type of skin injury, infection, or tissue damage. Many chemical mediators trigger inflammation to initiate the healing process. But sometimes, these mediators can also trigger melanin overproduction, resulting in hyperpigmentation at the site of the injury.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, can take a long time to heal without proper treatment, especially when it’s caused by damaged basal cells at the deeper dermal level. When PIH becomes a recurring problem, it can lead to the development of psoriasis or other inflammatory skin conditions.
#5- Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can impact the synthesis of the melanin pigment in the body. A deficiency of vitamin B12, an important element in the production of DNA, can also cause hyperpigmentation. Many researchers believe that folic acid deficiency is another leading cause of irregular melanin production in the body.
#6- Smoking
Widely known as smoker’s melanosis, dark spots inside the oral cavity and around the mouth are commonly observed among people who regularly smoke. Frequent exposure to benzopyrene, nicotine, and other toxic components can trigger uneven melanin production. Recent studies show hyperpigmentation also occurs in passive smokers or others who are constantly exposed to tobacco smoke.
#7- Dry Skin
A weakened epidermal barrier or damage caused by dry skin can damage the tissues, resulting in hyperpigmentation. Eczema and other chronic skin conditions can trigger melanosis, leaving dark patches on the skin.
#8- Medication
Many types of drugs also influence melanin synthesis. Medications such as antipsychotic, antimalarial, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and others can lead to uneven skin tone, especially during the duration of the treatment. And such drug side effects tend to worsen with sun exposure.
Ayurvedic Solutions for Glowing Skin
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Alt-text: ayurvedic beauty products by Natural Soul Skincare
#1- Include the Right Nutrients for Your Dosha
Certain simple lifestyle changes can be highly effective in solving various skin imbalances and health issues, including dark patches, dullness, acne, and pigmentation. Discover your elemental workup and eat seasonal organic foods that suit your dosha.
Include prime sources of Vitamin C to boost collagen production naturally. It helps control excess melanic production and promotes new cell turnover, which helps to reduce dark spots and prevents further pigmentation.
But be conscious of certain citrus fruits that can further elevate the Pitta Dosha. Consider alternative sources with flavonoids, vitamins B12, A, E, and other important nutrients that reduce hyperpigmentation while balancing all doshas instead of aggravating any.
#2- Replace Alcohol and Caffeine with Calming Drinks
Alcohol-based drinks and caffeinated beverages have warming energetics that can elevate the fire element of our body, leading to a potential aggravation of dosha Pitta. Try to limit caffeine and alcohol intake and substitute them with fresh fruit juices, herbal teas, rose-based drinks, coconut water, and other calming drinks.
#3- Follow a Mindful Skincare Routine
Incorporating Ayurvedic principles into your skincare routine can help address hyperpigmentation. This includes gentle cleansing with natural, non-irritating cleansers, avoiding harsh chemical-laden products, and using herbal toners to balance the skin.
Natural Soul Skincare offers a range of ayurvedic products for the skin, such as organic facial oils, skin-tightening face masks, natural face scrubs for glowing skin, and anti-ageing skincare products.
The shop offers exclusive blends that hydrate the skin, exfoliate darkened cells, smoothen texture, improve elasticity, and reveal a more even-toned and bright complexion by boosting blood circulation, repairing collagen, and promoting the skin’s natural healing process.
Instead of relying on cosmetic procedures or chemical products with their own side effects, follow an Ayurvedic lifestyle and include organic beauty products in your skincare regimen. This will not only holistically improve your overall skin health and wellbeing but will also prevent further skin issues, with guaranteed zero side effects!
Worried about potential skin allergies or want to try out a product before incorporating it into your skincare routine? Order trial-sized products now after a free consultation from the skin experts at Natural Soul Skincare.
Order now to get free delivery on orders above £35. Hurry up to get a free organic lemon and camelia face cleansing oil on your purchase worth £15 and more!
Email us for more information about their premium Ayurvedic skincare products. The radiant reviews by customers speak for themselves. Get glowing!
About the Author
Lena H. is a skincare enthusiast who likes to educate people about the benefits of adopting Ayurvedic principles in their lifestyle. She’s a health freak who likes to stay fit and active through thrilling outdoor adventures.