Abstract

AN OVERVIEW OF IMPORTANT NATURAL PRODUCTS AND PHYTOMEDICINES USED FOR MANAGEMENT OF MELASMA

Dheeraj Dubey*, Lokesh Chaudhari, Avadh Biharee, Akash Verma, Pankaj Kumar and Mohit Shrivastava

Abstract

Melasma is a common acquired disorder of symmetric hyperpigmentation that usually affects the face, with females and darker skin types having a higher prevalence. Melasma has an uncertain aetiology, but it is thought to be caused by an increase in melanocyte biological activity rather than an increase in melanocyte amount. Excess or over-pigmentation of the skin causes pigmentary disorders. The amount of collagen, elastin, and melanin in the skin are all factors that contribute to hyper pigmentation. Hypermelanosis may result from an increase in epidermal melanin or a combination of increased epidermal melanin and melanin deposition in the dermis.

Keywords: Melasma, Melanin, Pigment, Melanocyte.