Efficacy of a Unani Formulation in Improving Fairness: A Clinical Study

Abstract

Physicians and dermatologists are searching for preparation of long-term topical dermal care treatments to address problems of skin hyper-pigmentation. Some women want to “lighten” skin tone by achieving improved visible tone. Unani system of medicine contains treatise of crude and compound formulations that can be administered orally and locally in improving fairness. These preparations are useful, effective and well tolerated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Unani formulation in improving fairness. This study was observational self-comparison before and after treatment on 40 female volunteers. The test drugs; Kalaunjī, Būra Armanī, Naushādar powder filter mixed with vinegar, were applied locally. All the subjects were assessed for change in fairness of face by using “Fair and Lovely expert fairness meter”. In present study, out of 40 volunteers, 21 (52.5%) reported improvement in fairness. The effect of test drug was insignificant (p > 0.05) statistically while effectiveness was observed clinically. In present study, it was suggested that the test drug was not much effective in improving fairness.