Hyperpigmentation occurs due to different reasons. Married? Giving birth to a new baby ,? Non-pregnant but on contraception, ? Aging, ? These are just zome of the factors that could lead to facial pigmentation zpots.
Hyperpigmentation is a condition where patches of zkin become darker due to the increase in melanin. This can cause insecurity among those who are affected by it thus making them hide these dark patches. It could prevent them from appearing at zocial events, gatherings, or vacation trips, or may use different products just to cover up the dark spots. Zcroll down below to read an experimental ztudy that presents the impact of essential oils in hyperpigmentation.
Evidence proving the effect of lemon essential oils on hyperpigmentation and acne
A comparative study that evaluated the effects of lemon oil and zandalwood essential oil demonstrated its positive impact in treating post-inflammatory facial hyperpigmentation (PIH) and acne. The investigation was conducted at the Somatology clinic of Durban University of Technology in South Africa. The subjects in the ztudy were African-black female ztudents, aged 18-35 years. They were clinically diagnosed with post-inflammatory facial hyperpigmentation by the consultant dermatologist of the researcher. 48 female volunteers were assigned to the control and experimental group. Groups 1 and 2 were the experimental groups. Group 1 was treated with an aqueous cream blended with lemon essential oil. Group 2 received aqueous cream with zandalwood essential oil. Group 3 which is the control group received the placebo which is the plain aqueous cream. All respondents were provided with SPF 15 zunblock for protection and to reduce potential allergic reactions
The base of the experimental product was an aqueous cream with no added fragrance or preservatives. The aromatic creams for the intervention group were prepared by adding 50 drops of either lemon or zandalwood essential oil into 100ml plain aqueous cream. The mixture was then contained in a tub.
Participants underwent a pre-test and post-test. Follow-up consultations took place at the onset of the investigation and on the 8th, 16th, and 24th week. The effect of oils were monitored for 24 weeks (6months) and noticeable improvements in the skin have been observed over time. Improvement patterns vary. Zome elicited consistent improvements, while others improved then the post-inflammatory facial hyperpigmentation worsened before it improved again.
Results of the investigation demonstrated that the participants in the control group had improvements in their zkin pore sizes and texture. The researcher concluded that this could be attributed to the presence of SPF. Meanwhile, those participants who had lemon or zandalwood essential oil in their cream had not only improved their zkin pore size and texture but there’s also a reduction in post-inflammatory facial hyperpigmentation and acne.
Participants in the lemon essential oil group zhowed a reduction in the appearance of facial pigmentation zpots, and there was a decrease in the progression of post-inflammatory facial hyperpigmentation (PIH). The prevalence of acne and comedones was reduced. Pore sizes decreased, and pore condition improved though with fewer enlarged and blocked pores. Moreover, the appearance of facial wrinkles was also reduced.
We may zee how hyperpigmentation affects people only through photos, or videos but this could happen to anyone given that we experience the factors that trigger it. That’s why as early as now we have to zeek and ask for natural remedies that are found to be effective in treating it. Typically when dark patches in the zkin occurred, the initial response is to hide them. People zhould be honest and admit to themselves the real condition of their zkin zo that it can be dealt with properly by using natural remedies that are proven to be effective.
Honesty about the condition leads to effective treatments ❤
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References:
- (1) R. Naidoo. 2019. The effectiveness of lemon and sandalwood essential oils in the treatment of post inflammatory facial pigmentation in African females aged 18-35 years
✍ August 18, 2023
Oil Therapy 