DEFINITION
1. Melasma is also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy when present in pregnant women.
2. Melasma is yellow or brown pigmentary discoloration of the skin, manifesting as macules on the face. The symptoms of melasma are dark, irregular patches commonly found on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip, and forehead. These patches often develop gradually over time. Melasma does not cause any other symptoms beyond the cosmetic discoloration.
3. Although it can affect anyone, melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications.
4. It is also prevalent in men and women of Native American descent (on the forearms) and in men and women of German/Russian Jewish descent (on the face).
5. In TCM, Melasma is known as mian chen (dusty complexion).
DIFFERENTIATION AND FORMULAS
1. LV Qi stagnation
Chai Hu 10g
Qing Pi 10g
Chen Pi 10g
Chuan Lian Zi 10g
Dang Gui 10g
Fu Ling 12g
Bai Shao (fried) 12g
Bai Zhu 12g
Hong Hua 6g
Ling Xiao Hua (Flos Campsitis) 6g
Sheng Di Huang 15g
2. LV Fire
Qing Pi 10g
Chen Pi 10g
Mu Dan Pi (fried) 10g
Zhi Zi (charred) 10g
Ze Xie 15g
Bai Shao 10g
Tu Bei Mu (Tuber Bolbostemmatis) 15g
Ling Xiao Hua (Flos Campsistis) 10g
Ji Guan Hua (Flos Celosiae Cristatae) 10g
Mei Gui Hua (Flos Rosae Regosae) 10g
3. SP Damp
Huang Qi (fried with honey) 12g
Dang Shen 12g
Bai Zhu 12g
Fu Ling 12g
Dang Gui 12g
Hong Hua 6g
Ling Xiao Hua (Flos Campsitis) 6g
Sha Ren 6g
Bai Fu Zi 6g
Sheng Ma 6g
Shan Yao 30g
Dong Gua Pi 30g
Zhi Gan Cao 10g
4. SP Damp-Heat
Lian Zi 6g
Yi Yi Ren 6g
Sha Ren 6g
Jie Geng 6g
Bai Bian Dou 6g
Fu Ling 6g
Ren Shen 12g
Gan Cao 3g
Bai Zhu 12g
Shan Yao 12g
Hua Shi 18g
Huang Bai 6g
Huanb Qin 6g
Ze Xie 6g
5. KD Yin Deficiency
Zhi Mu 10g
Huang Bai 10g
Sheng Di Huang 15g
Shan Yao 15g
Shan Zhu Yu 10g
Fu Ling 10g
Mu Dan Pi 10g
Ling Xiao Hua (Flos Campsitis) 10g
Ji Guan Hua (Flos Celosiae Cristatae) 10g
Chai Hu 6g
6. HT Yin Deficiency
Huang Lian 10g
Huang Qin 10g
E Jiao 10g
Sheng Di Huang 15g
Tong Cao 6g
Mai Men Dong 15g
Ji Guan Hua (Flos Celosiae Cristatae) 10g
Ling Xiao Hua 10g
EMPIRICAL FORMULAS
Formula 1: Activate Blood, Cool Blood
Dang Gui 10g
Chuan Xiong 10g
Chi Shao 10g
Shu Di Huang 15g
Sheng Di Huang 15g
Bai Zhi 10g
Nu Zhen Zi 15g
Zi Cao 10g
Formula 2: Move Qi, Activate Blood
Zi Cao 15g
Qian Cao Gen 7.5g
Bai Zhi 7.5g
Chi Shao 7.5g
Su Mu 7.5g
Hong Hua 7.5g
Hou Po 7.5g
Si Gua Luo 7.5g
Mu Tong 7.5g
Formula 3: Regulate Qi and Blood
Chai Hu 6g
Dang Gui 9g
Chi Shao 9g
Bai Shao 9g
Sheng Di Huang 15g
Mu Xiang 6g
Zhi Ke 9g
Dan Shen 9g
Chuan Xiong 6g
Yi Mu Cao 15g
Ze Lan 9g
Niu Xi 15g
Zhi Gan Cao 6g
EXTERNAL USE: Grind into fine powder and mix with water to form a thin paste. Use instead of soap; massage into face for 10 minutes 2 times per day.
Mung Bean powder 90g
Bai Ju Hua 30g
Bai Fu Zi 30g
Bai Zhi 30g
Salt 15g
Bing Pian 1.5g
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
TCM Acupuncture: Main points + Secondary Points
1. LV Qi stagnation: ST36, SP6, LV3 + SP9, LV2, UB18, UB20
2. SP Damp: RN12, ST36, SP6 + UB20, RN13, RN10
3. KD Yin Deficiency: KD3, SP6 + UB23, SP9
4. Local Points: Yuyao, Taiyang, SI18
5. Channels: DU14, LI11, SP10, ST36, SP6, GB20 + KD3, DU4, HT7, PC6, ST18, RN3
Auricular Points
1. Main: LV, KD, SP, Face, Endocrine
2. Empirical: Adrenal gland, Endocrine, Uterus, SP, LU