Homeopathy for Freckles( Ephelides )

Homeopathy for Freckles  

 

 

Freckles are flat, irregular spots that develop randomly on the skin, particularly on the cheeks. They vary in color but are always darker than the normal skin around them. They are more prominent in persons of fair complexion.
Freckles are little brown spots on the skin that are caused by the sun. Ephelides which are also known as (Freckles are flat, tanned circular spots. They are multiple in number and of the size of a pin-head.
They develop randomly on the skin, esp. After repeated exposure to sunlight. They are quite harmless and rarely develop into skin cancer.
These are particularly common in people of fair complexion esp. Those with red hairs. They appear on upper-body skin areas like the cheeks, nose, arms, chest and upper shoulders.
Ephelides (Freckles) can be in different colors like reddish, light –dark brown, dark yellow, black, etc. They tend to become darker and prominent after exposure to sunlight. Later they get lighter in winter season.
They appear due to an increase in the amount of dark pigment called melanin produced by cells called melanocytes. They don't produce much melanin during the winter months, but produce more when exposed to the sun. Most often sun protection itself will reduce the occurrence and severity of Ephelides (Freckles).
Homeopathy has good scope in treating Ephelides (Freckles). Prolonged Homeopathic treatment lessens the tendency of freckle formation and flaring-up of Ephelides (Freckles). Thus, homeopathy is effective in treating this condition.
As it affects complexion and appearance of person, it leads to psychological complaints too like low self-esteem, embarrassment, anxiety, etc.

Causes of development

There are many different causes of Ephelides (Freckles) but one main cause thought to be is repeated and prolonged exposure to sunlight. The exposure increases the production of pigment melanin that gets deposited in certain areas of the skin making them look darker but this does not happen to everyone because every person is not equally sensitive to sunlight. Generally, persons with fair complexion are more sensitive to sunlight than dark-skinned persons but this does not mean that all fair-skinned persons are very sensitive or all dark-skinned persons are completely immune to the effects of sunlight. Anyone can develop Ephelides (Freckles) depending on personal sensitivity whatever be the complexion. Nutritional imbalance and genetic factors may also cause uneven distribution of pigment melanin resulting in Ephelides (Freckles).

THE VARIOUS CAUSES OF EPHELIDES (FRECKLES) ARE BELOW:

1. Hormonal imbalance can also cause Ephelides (Freckles)
2. Ephelides (Freckles) are influenced by genetic factor also.
3. Exposure of skin to sun is one of the main causes of developing Ephelides (Freckles) .Ephelides (Freckles) will fade when sun exposure is reduced.
4. The Ephelides (Freckles) can also be a warning sign of skin cancer.
5. Hormones abnormalities can cause Ephelides (Freckles), since estrogen over stimulate pigment producing cells, causing them to generate excess color when exposed to sun light.

TYPES OF EPHELIDES (FRECKLES):

1) Ephelides:
These are flat red or brown in color appear in summer season & look fainter in the winter season.The word ephelides is derived from the Greek word ‘ephelis’ and is a medical term for freckle. Ephelides denotes 1 mm-2 mm flat spots that are usually light brown tanned and slightly reddish in color which appears during sunny months. They are typically found in people with light complexion being more common in red hair and people with green eyes. In some families, ephelides are found to e a genetic or a hereditary trait.

2) Lentigines:
These are small in size & can be tan, brown or black in color. These Ephelides (Freckles) will not become fainter in winter. This is also a genetic condition.The term lentigines is originated from the Latin word ‘Lentil’ and are used as a medical term for large pigmented spots which are commonly known as liver spots. Lentigines are usually present at the site of sunburn and sun damage. These pigmented spots are darker than ephelides and do not fade away easily. Lentigines are also termed as Lentigo simplex or solar lentigo

Fair Skin and Freckles

Fair-skinned people are most vulnerable to freckles and sun-related skin damage.
In fair-skinned people, the amount of melanin present is low, making more susceptible to freckles and sun damage to skin whereas in dark skin people the quantity of melanin is more which is helpful in blocking the UV rays and preventing the damage to skin by harmful sun rays.
Age above 50 or older makes people more prone to freckles and age spots.
At the age 50 or above people become more prone to develop freckles and age spots. As we grow older our skin starts to get thin and losing its elasticity; also the blood vessels which carry blood and the healing nutrients to skin surface become weak and frail. Hence the older we get we become more vulnerable to develop freckles and age spots.

People exposed to UV Rays in a high degree tend to be at a higher risk to develop freckles.
On exposure to UV radiation, the melanocytes get activated, leading to the overproduction of melanin granules which are responsible for the change in the color of outer skin cell and freckles. Therefore people like sports persons, swimmers, hikers, and field workers who are more exposed to UV rays become more prone to develop freckles.
Some of the ingredients in commonly used medication can boost skin sensitivity to the sun.
Common allergy medication, pain relievers, topical ointments for acne and some anti-aging creams containing alpha hydroxyl acids boosts the skin sensitivity to sun thus making it more prone to freckles and sun damage.

Compromised or weak immune system refrains the skin cells to resist or repair the skin damage.
If your immune system has been weakened or compromised due to some past infection or chronic diseases it refrains the skin cells in repairing the skin damage caused due to daily sun exposure thus making it more predisposed to freckles, sun spots, and fine lines.

 Risk factors
Freckles have a great cosmetic value particularly when they are on the
cheeks otherwise they are harmless and pose no danger to general health.
At times, however, they might be mistaken for another skin disease.
Therefore, one should have them checked and evaluated by the dermatologist
to be sure of what the spots are.



Prevention
Freckles are a fair indication of sensitivity of skin to sunburn and other
skin diseases of more serious nature. Those with hereditary tendency
should avoid prolonged and/or repeated exposure to direct sunrays. For
those whose nature of job does not permit this precaution should use
protective sunscreens to reduce the risk.


Treatment
There are plenty of products available in the market for external use,
which can reduce the pigmentation and lighten or even eliminate the
freckles.
There are products that can hide them temporarily but hiding the
freckles is not the answer. They must be treated properly.
Freckles can also be effectively and conveniently treated by internal use
of homeopathic medicines. This is one of those conditions that can be
easily treated in a few weeks.
Some of the commonly used homeopathic
medicines to treat freckles are graphite, kali-carb, lycopodium,
muric-acid, natrum-carb, phosphorus, sepia, sulphur etc.
but you must
consult your homeopath to choose correct medicine, its dose and potency

Homeopathy remedies 

Lycopodium – For Liver Spots

Lycopodium (commonly known as club moss) is a herb that grows or is a native of northern Europe, North America, and Great Britain. This plant belongs to the Lycopodiaceae family and has a slender stem that trails along the ground and vertical branches.
Lycopodium is a medicine usually used to treat Liver spots or lentigines that are worse on the face and nose

Pulsatilla – For Freckles in Young Women Pulsatilla is a medicine prepared from a Wind Flower plant. This perennial plant belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and is native to eastern and central Europe, Norway and Denmark. Pulsatilla is successfully used to treat freckles in young females with a red, hot, flushed face

Thuja – For Light Brown FrecklesThuja is obtained from twigs of young thuja tree also known as Arbor Vitae. This plant belongs to Cupressaceae family and is native of North America and Eastern Canada. This remedy is used to treat brown spots, freckles, and blotches successfully.Thuja is best suited when skin is pale, dry with dark circles under the eyes.

Sepia – For brown colored Freckles Sepia is used to treat discoloration on the nose and cheeks in young women. A yellowish-brown saddle across the nose and wrinkled skin with spots and yellow blotches are indicative of this medicine.

Natrum Carbonicum – For Freckles with Yellow Spots Natrum Carbonicum commonly known as carbonate of soda belongs to mineral kingdom and is used to treat freckles on a pale face with blue rings around the eyes. It is best suited when skin is dry, rough, chapped with yellow spots and pimples.

Phosphorous – For Freckles which Gets Worse in Summer Phosphorus is sourced from the essential mineral phosphorus. It is used to treat freckles with red spots which get worse in summers or on  constant sun exposure.

 Nitricum Acidum – For Dark Freckles This remedy is prepared by blending sodium nitrate and sulphuric acid. Nitric acid is most indicated in dark-colored freckles which is mostly accompanied by pimples covering the face.

Sulphur – For Freckles with Dry Skin Sourced from mineral kingdom Sulphur is prepared from sulphur sublimatum. This remedy is used to treat spotted freckles with pale, dry skin. It is best indicated when skin is unhealthy-looking with the presence of acne, old-looking face and circumscribed red cheeks.

Bovista – This is the best solution for clearing damaged skin caused by the haphazard use of cosmetics productsFacial pimples, dark skin or any other skin affection caused by the injudicious use of cosmetic products can benefit from the use of the homeopathic remedy Bovista which is used to clear the skin. Bovista holds a significant place among homeopathic medicines for the treatment of skin problems consequent to the excessive use of cosmetics. Bovista helps in clearing facial skin and makes it look bright and glowing. It also removes pimples or other afflictions resulting from the use of cosmetics

following methods also can useful 

• Laser treatment is the most effective treatment of fading the freckles, the laser beams are subjected on the area and the melanocyte pigment formation is slowed down.
• Conventional methods like bleaching can be done; bleaching cover ups the freckles but does not remove them
• Facial masks can be used to fade away the freckles.
• Vitamin C intake can boost the blood circulation and lights the freckles.
• Mashed bananas, cucumber and apricots are highly effective in lightening the freckles.
• Lime juice is a bleaching agent and diminishes the black spots.
• Vitamin E creams also help in the removal of freckles.
• Sun screen with higher SPF factor must be applied before going out. It not only protects the skin from further damage but also lightens the already present freckles.

 thanks
dr ajay yadav