I was recently asked about pigmentation by a client, and I’ve been asked about it a few times in the past. So I thought this would be a great topic for today’s article…

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that manifests as a result of excess melanin production in the body. This excess production can be triggered by prolonged sun exposure, inflammation, acne or even hormonal imbalance.

For those of you that suffer from hyperpigmentation, you will know how difficult it can be to find an effective treatment to fade out these stubborn dark patches and regain a natural, even skin tone again.

Causes of hyperpigmentation

There are three main types of hyperpigmentation, each of which is categorized by their cause.

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): This occurs following skin injury from acne lesions, psoriasis, burns, friction and even certain professional skin care treatments. It begins to fade as the skin regenerates itself – a process that can take months or more.
• Lentigines: These are commonly known as liver spots or age spots. Although they do become more prevalent with age – they are found on 90% of light-skinned individuals over the age of 60 – they are not directly caused by the aging process. Rather, lentigines are related to UV exposure.
• Melasma: This is caused by hormonal fluctuations, common, for example, during pregnancy, with thyroid dysfunction, and through use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. It affects an estimated five to six million women in the United States alone and can often be difficult to treat.
• Although not considered a main cause, certain illnesses, as well as the use of certain prescription medications, may cause hyperpigmentation.

During my research into hyperpigmentation, I’ve found a completely natural ingredient that could well prove to be extremely beneficial in the treatment of this condition…

Turmeric

That’s right, the spice which is known to give the yellow colour to your favourite curry, can also be used for it’s amazing skincare properties.

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a spice which is native to Southern Asia with India being the worlds largest producer of the spice. It is commonly used in Indian cooking and has traditionally been used for treating inflammation, skin wounds and liver disorders in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

Turmeric has a wide variety of beauty and health related benefits. Here are just a few of them…

• Anti-inflammatory– the yellow pigment of turmeric, also known as circumin, has been shown in numerous scientific studies to have potent anti-inflammatory action and reduce the pain associated with inflammation just as well as Ibuprofen, but without the toxic side effects. This is because circumin is an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), an enzyme associated with inflammation. So a pinch of turmeric daily may keep degenerative diseases at bay. However, those taking blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin must exercise caution as turmeric can reduce the blood clotting time.
• Antioxidant– Circumin, the active ingredient in turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant. An antioxidant protects cells from free radicals that are formed as a result of oxidative stress. These free radicals can damage cells over time, resulting in ageing. So perhaps turmeric can be the key to slowing down premature ageing.
• Anti-bacterial– Turmeric is often used to create a soothing warm turmeric milk drink for sore throats and colds in South Asian households to prevent the further spread of infection. Additionally, gargling with warm turmeric powder 2-3 times a day can relieve a sore throat. It is also applied to cuts and wounds to prevent infection.
• Lowers cholesterol– Circumin lowers serum cholesterol levels and so can be beneficial in controlling high cholesterol levels in the blood (hypercholesterolemia).
• Treats acne– due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, turmeric is a very effective ingredient in the treatment of acne at a fraction of the price of commercially available creams and ointments, and without the negative side-effects such as irritation and dryness.

Turmeric for skincare

Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a natural beauty treatment by Indian women.

A traditional custom that is still alive in India today is ‘haldi’ (the hindi word for turmeric), this is a bridal beautification custom that involves anointing the bride with turmeric paste before her wedding day to give her a beautiful golden glow on her big day.

In fact, when rumours of the beauty benefits of turmeric reached Rome, the Romans ordered for the spice to be exported from India into Rome and it soon became the most important beauty treatment for Roman women.

Turmeric has been shown to actually inhibit melanin in the skin and some studies have also shown turmeric efficacy at reducing unwanted body hair.

Personally, I have no experience of hyperpigmentation or the use of turmeric to help the condition. But when I was originally researching the causes and treatments of pigmentation, I spoke to a lady who had experienced the effects for herself. Here’s a bit of her story…

After prolonged sun exposure a year ago I developed dark patches on the side of my face. I tried numerous treatments for hyperpigmentation, some quite pricey, to try and get rid of these marks but I saw no significant results.

I was finally given this turmeric mask recipe by my grandmother. For the past 3 months, I have been using this turmeric face mask to help lighten these marks and so far it has been working amazingly well.

Because she’s had great results, she was happy for me to share her turmeric mask recipe with all of you so that you can also benefit from it.

This mask recipe is cheap and easy to make, and most of the ingredients can be found in the kitchen cupboard or your local Indian grocery store.

Word of caution: Turmeric stains so please ensure that you do not get it on your clothes or anywhere else, and use an old towel to dry your face after using this mask.

Turmeric Mask

This mask may be used on any affected areas of your skin not just your face.

Ingredients:

• Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon
• Gram flour (made from ground chickpeas) – 2-3 tablespoons
• Oil -1/2 teaspoon (I would use almond oil as it absorbs well into the skin- the oil is important for ensuring that your skin remains moisturised whilst the mask is drying out)
• Milk – enough to form a paste (approximately 1/2 tsp)
• Lemon Juice (or cucumber juice if you have sensitive skin)

Method:

• Mix the gram flour and turmeric together in a bowl until evenly combined. Add the lemon (or cucumber juice to the mixture) and add enough milk to form a creamy consistency. Mix well until a smooth paste is formed and ensure that it is not too watery else the mixture will run from your face. You can add more gram flour to the mixture if you feel the mixture is too thin. Your mixture should look something similar to the photo above.

To use:

• Apply the mixture on your face (or other affected area) and leave on for approximately 10 minutes, or until the mask completely dries on your face. You will feel the mask hardening on your face, this is completely normal and to be expected. Take this opportunity to lie down and relax for a peaceful ten minutes.
• Use warm water and gentle circular movements with your fingertips to remove the mask from your face. Wash the face well and ensure that that all of the mask has been removed.

Upon first use you will immediately notice the glow on your face but with consecutive uses you will begin to see those stubborn pigmented areas lighten out.To ensure optimum results, use this mask once or twice a week, every week.

Please note- If irritation occurs then you should discontinue use as the mask may not be suited to your skin type ( but this would be rare).

It is always important to remember that hyperpigmentation could be a sign of underlying health problems and its always best to get a check up from your GP and get treated. This mask, however, is great for any existing pigmentation on your body.

If you’ve used a turmeric mask to treat hyperpigmentation, or any other skin condition, I’d love to hear from you! What are your experiences – what was your skin like before you used it, and how did the turmeric mask help? Even if you didn’t get any good results, I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below…