7 Unexpected Benefits of Eating Papaya for Skin and Hair

We all know that fruits are nothing, but a delicious raw source of nutrients for our body which must be included in our day to day life. However, most fruits are seasonal and not so easily found. Considering the benefits of eating papaya, it is a boon that once the harvest begins we get to eat a new papaya almost every week. 

As much as we love the mild flavour of papaya, we often take it for granted. Enriched with vitamins A, C and E, papaya is an all season fruit. Do you know when consumed in a proper manne r papaya can be extremely good for skin and hair? The benefits of eating papaya range from acne reduction to anti-aging, making it quite a versatile skin care fruit. Therefore, we have a perfect fruit to contribute to our skin and hair rejuvenation.

Papaya Fruit Benefits for Skin Care

Full of antioxidants and potassium, papaya is also called papaw or pawpaw. It is not only sweet with a creamy texture but also has nutritional value. It treats hyperpigmentation, skin diseases, dryness and slows ageing. Many skin care products already contain papaya extracts, but those looking for homemade remedies have come to the perfect place. Firstly, we must check out the 7 unexpected ways in which papaya is good for our skin health.

1. Reduces and prevents acne

As soon as Puberty hits, one of the main side-effects a person encounters is acne. Puberty acnes are only temporary, yet sometimes it takes longer to cure. Sometimes, people tend to have pimples long after they have hit their puberty. Inflammatory pimples can be cured by the proteolytic enzymes, papain and chymopapain present inside papaya. Oftentimes, to haunt us, acne scars stay long after the phase is over. Papain not only exfoliates dead keratin from the skin surface but also helps in scar removal. Another one of the many benefits of eating papaya is that it is rich in retinol which is widely known for reduction and prevention of lesions caused due to acne. 

2. Cures skin pigmentation

There is not much we can do in the matter of hyperpigmentation. Yet, everybody wants an even skin tone. This is where papaya comes to rescue us. If you are concerned about the discoloration and blemishes on your skin, then papaya is your answer. Use papaya paste on the darkened areas in your elbow, knees and other parts. It contains phytochemicals and beta-carotene which can rid off uneven skin pigmentation and lighten your skin. Once the exfoliation is done, these enzymes and vitamins make skin radiant and glowing. Bye, Bye hyperpigmentation!!

3. Anti-Aging

Worried about those fine agelines developing near your eyes? Skin tightening surgery can be way too expensive! Why not go for the homemade-forever-beneficial-papaya-face-mask? Breaking down of skin proteins, collagen and elastin, are the prime cause of wrinkling. Papaya contains just what you need to prevent it, or at least slow down the sagging.The potent antioxidant called carotenoid with the help of vitamin C and Lycopene are key fighters here. The benefits of eating papaya daily include drastically retarding indications of skin ageing. You can always choose papaya to get firm, elastic and wrinkle free skin.

4. Moisturizes skin 

If you are frustrated with the flaky and dull skin, do try papaya. Apply raw pulpy papaya on your dry face and watch your skin glow in a minute. Dry skin is the result of low secretion of natural oil from sebaceous glands. Restoration of your natural hydration is one of the main benefits of eating papaya. If you are wondering what it is that this fruit contains that can magically get rid of our irritating and rough skin then, hey! Papaya has Vitamin A,C and E, the main ingredients to the recipe of getting a deeply nourished skin. Papaya when combined with honey and milk can work wonders for a dry skin. 

5. Removes tan

Tanning is good as long as it is even and not unwanted. Papaya fruit benefits in de-tan and exfoliates the dark line off the skin after a long day in sunlight. Not only does it remove sun-tan but it even has skin lightening properties. The dark scars and long lasting blemishes can be lightened with regular application of the homemade papaya pack. Women with grey-brown patches on cheek, nose and forehead after pregnancy can benefit from the cold-pressed papaya seed oil. Those patches are caused due to a skin problem called melasma, which can be cured by papain, a key component of papaya. 

6. Extracts unwanted facial hair

Getting rid of unwanted body hair in itself is an excruciating task but for facial hair we can not take chances. People choose many ways to remove facial hair- waxing, threading, even laser. We have a better, less painful method. Benefits of eating papaya include the enzymes which can help the facial hair to fall out themselves. The expansion of hair follicles due to these enzymes weaken the hair, detaching them from the roots. Hence, a painless hair removal method. To achieve this, you can apply papaya and turmeric mask on the desired area of your face and let the magic work. Regular application might even result in lesser facial hair growth permanently. 

7. Cleanses and exfoliates

Exfoliation is the key to getting even, patch-free and smooth skin. Damaged and dead skin cells can be removed from the skin by using a papaya scrub. Papaya fruit benefits include plant based antioxidants like papain, cystatin, chymopapain and vitamin C which remove dirt and pollution off the skin. An exfoliation scrub with papaya extracts fights against free radical damage. Blackhead, whiteheads and other unwanted impurities can be easily removed with papaya based scrub. After the exfoliation, the cleansed skin allows a bright and fair look to shine upon. 

Papaya health benefits for different skin type

Now that we have discussed the benefits of eating papaya for our skin, we must learn the procedure for the same. As we all know that everybody has different skin types, ranging from dry to oily to acne prone skin. One must apply the product according to their preference only. Not following these instructions might lead to side-effects. 

1. For Dry Skin

Papaya, milk and honey face pack is the best for those with parched and dry skin type. Honey hydrates the skin and locks the moisture inside, milk has antibacterial properties due to the presence of lactic acid and papaya pulp makes the skin soft and smooth. The recipe and application of this pack is given below.

1. Take the papaya pulp in a cup, fill it half.
2. Cut and mash them properly.
3. Add a tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of milk.
4. Mix it well and create an even paste.
5. Apply it directly on your face.
6. Let it be for 20 minutes.
7. Repeat two times a week for best results.

2. For Oily Skin

Papaya when combined with lemon juice can act as an excellent astringent. As we all have acknowledged by now that there are so many benefits of eating papaya but papaya-lemon face packs can literally turn the tables. Vitamin C helps in reduction of oil from the sebaceous gland, both papaya and lemon are rich in vitamin C. Check out this method to create a perfect face pack for the sebum rich skin. 

1. Take half a cup of mashed papaya.
2. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice. 
3. Mix well and apply on the oily face.
4. Leave for 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water. 

3. For Irritated and pimple prone skin

If you have sensitive skin and pimples tend to burst out even by the slightest activity on your face, you should check out this method for sure. Egg white is known for its property of reducing acne and controlling sebum secretion. When mixed with papaya, it can work wonders. Here is how you can get clear and glowing skin with papaya and egg white face pack. 

1. Separate the white from the yolk of the egg. 
2. Take half a cup of mashed papaya.
3. Mix the two ingredients.
4. Apply on the T-zone of the face.
5. You may also apply on the concerned areas of burst outs. 
6. Keep it for 10 minutes.
7. Wash it off with normal tap water or a light face cleanser.

4. For Combination Skin

If your T-area is oily while the cheeks are dry, then your skin falls under the category of combination skin. Combination skin people have to be rather more careful regarding their skin care regime. They must carefully consider both the oily as well as the dry areas before applying a product. To reduce the dry patches of the skin and regulate moisture secretion, try out this simple home-made face pack for combination skin type. 

1. Add equal quantities of papaya and banana in a cup. 
2. Add honey and mix all the ingredients.
3. Even out the paste until it becomes thick.
4. Apply on the face evenly.
5. Let it dry and wash off with normal tap water.

Benefits of Eating Papaya for Hair

Those who are looking to improve their hair texture, growth and want to get rid of the dandruff will not have to worry any longer. Take a look at these 3 ways in which papaya can be your hair’s best friend. 

1. Hair growth

One of the main benefits of eating papaya is that it improves the texture of hair making it thicker and voluminous. Antioxidants promote better blood circulation in the scalp which result in accelerated hair growth. Lycopene in papaya is said to be a major contributor in hair growth stimulation. Vitamin-B complex and antioxidants cures dryness, breakage, split-ends, hairfall and other scalp infections. So, if you are worried because of hair loss and trying new products every month, try papaya. Apply papaya pulp with a mixture of aloe vera gel and hair oil, put it for half an hour and rinse off. Repeat the same twice a week and notice the difference. 

2. Dandruff prevention

Amongst several benefits of eating papaya, one of the major useful ones is that it cures and prevents dandruff. Malassezia is the main fungus responsible for causing dandruff in healthy hair. Papaya contains enzymes and nutrients which curb this microbe from acting out. This treats the scalp from deteriorating and becoming flaky. Itchy scalp is one of the major side effects of dandruff, which is also cured by papaya consumption. Regular use of papaya seed hair masks can further assist in prevention of dandruff. Then you can bid dandruff a final goodbye!

3. Hair Conditioning

Even if you have thick and long hair, its quality matters. Nobody likes rough, dull and split-ended hair. If you are concerned about your hair texture and want long, lustrous, smooth and voluminous hair, use papaya. Components like folate or vitamin B9 and minerals restore the hair health. Condition your hair from root to tip with a papaya mask before hair wash. After removing the mask, wash with your regular shampoo and conditioner. It results in better follicle health for softer and nourished hair.

Can you eat papaya during pregnancy?

There is a common belief that eating papaya can lead to miscarriage. However, this fact is only half true. Papaya contains vitamins A, C and E, minerals like potassium, copper and magnesium and antioxidants. These nutrients are essential and beneficial for the neurological growth of the foetus. Hence, there are “some” benefits of eating papaya during pregnancy. Although, one must also know that the fruit must be completely ripe for the pregnant women to consume. 

Unripe or Semi-ripe papaya has latex and papain, which can actually lead to miscarriage. Latex causes uterine contractions which might in turn result in premature labour. One must avoid eating papayas dripping with latex during their pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. An expecting mother must be careful to notice the following features while eating papaya:

1. It must not be unripe or semi-ripe.
2. It should not secrete too much latex. 
3. It should not be rotten or have green or brown spots . 
4. Do not swallow or eat the seeds.
5. Do not eat the peel. 
6. Do not eat too much papaya.
7. Avoid eating papayas during the first trimester of your pregnancy. 

There might be many benefits of eating papaya during pregnancy but one can only be too careful with their children. Another counter belief of the “papaya and pregnancy” is that eating papaya can help you get periods. We would like to break it to you that this fact is not assured scientifically. If you are late for your periods then you must consult your gynaecologist. 

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