Western medicine tends to view hyperpigmentation as a common and usually harmless condition. Hyperpigmentation is when patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin.
In TICM, the spots are a physical manifestation of a body needing attention under the surface. In TICM, hyperpigmentation is associated with Qi and or Blood stasis. It can also have to do with how the body breaks down excess melanin and hormones, which is regulated by the Liver.
Types of hyperpigmentation:
Sun damage: also known as sunspots that are a result of excessive exposure to the sun in the wrong sun rays such as the sun coming in through the windows.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): can be left on the skin after acne or blemishes.
Melasma: caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body and can appear as bigger patches on the skin, usually on the upper lip, forehead or upper cheeks. Caused by Liver imbalance.
Freckles: can happen from birth or develop later in life, usually getting darker and more concentrated when exposed to the sun. Freckles are beautiful. Make sure to be mindful of sun exposure.
How can we treat this?
Ginger powder - drinking this tea 2 times daily will help to move Blood and Qi throughout all the channels in the body. It will also invigorate Spleen function to improve digestion and nourish the body better. This is suitable for all types.
Blood builder herbs: especially to take if you are vegetarian/ vegan. Nourishes Heart and Liver blood, regulates the Chong Mai and Ren Mai, major meridians associated with fertility. Treats dry skin, anxiety, pale complexion, insomnia, irregular menstrual cycles, dry stool, poor memory, low energy. This is suitable for all types.
Quercetin phytosome: the most abundant of the flavonoids which are a powerful antioxidant and do their work in the body by corralling cell-damaging free radicals and metallic ions.These molecules can reduce the incidence of oxidative damage to skin and nerves. This is suitable for all types.
Liver formula's: helps to move the flow of Qi and Blood and regulate hormones, helpful for PIH and melasma.
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