Can washing the face with white vinegar remove melasma?
Disease description:
I am thirty-nine years old this year, and I have developed many chloasma spots on my face. A friend told me that washing my face with white vinegar can remove chloasma. I would like to know whether washing the face with white vinegar can actually remove chloasma.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Washing the face with white vinegar generally does not remove melasma. The formation of melasma is associated with multiple factors, including exposure to sunlight ultraviolet radiation, underlying liver disease, endocrine disorders, and emotional factors. White vinegar mainly contains low-concentration acetic acid. When applied externally to the skin, it can clean and remove surface keratin, mildly stimulate surface blood circulation, and promote the metabolism and elimination of epidermal pigmentation. However, its effectiveness in removing melasma is not significant. Additionally, as an acidic substance, if used at high concentrations or improperly, white vinegar may irritate the skin, cause inflammatory reactions, and even worsen melasma. Therefore, using white vinegar to wash the face for removing melasma is not recommended. For the treatment of melasma, it is advised to undergo comprehensive management and treatment at a正规 hospital, including oral and topical use of depigmenting medications, or laser and intense pulsed light treatments for better results.
