Melasma, causes and treatments

There are a number of skin conditions that can manifest visibly and affect the appearance of your skin. Many of them are exacerbated by excessive exposure to the sun. Among them, melasma is one of the most common. Despite its prevalence, there seems to be a general lack of awareness regarding melasma.

What Is Melasma ?

Melasma presents as hyperpigmented areas on the surface of the skin. These areas appear darker than a person’s normal skin tone and are usually symmetric. While the skin condition is universal, it is most prevalent among women, commonly appear on the face (chin, cheeks, forehead, etc.). While there are no known health impacts associated with melasma, the condition can have an emotional impact on those afflicted with it.

Possible Causes Of Melasma

Though the definite causes of melasma remain uncertain, studies have suggested that the condition is linked to hormones. Exposure to the sun leads to increased melanin production. The cells that produce melanin (called melanocytes) may be stimulated by estrogen and progesterone. When melanocytes produce excessive amounts of melanin, melasma can occur. Sun exposure is also thought to generate free radicals which can stimulate melanocytes, resulting in excessive melanin production.

Many doctors believe that melasma is most prevalent in those who have a predisposition. This can include skin tone, gender and ethnicity. Women are more likely than men to develop the condition. And those with a light brown skin tone are generally more susceptible than others.

Melasma Symptoms

• Dark discolored patches on skin of upper cheek, nose, lips, upperlip, and forehead.
• Melasma does not causes any other health problems beyond the cosmetic discoloration.

Melasma Treatment

• Drink more than enough water to purge all those toxins out of your body.
• Eat and drink foods containing antioxidants such as dark colored fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants fight off free radicals in the environment (like pollution and the sun).
• Take anti-oxidant supplement such as Pycnogenol 25 mg tablet with meals three times a day will enhance the results of your melasma treatment.
• Treating pigmentation and age spot should always use a potent, natural lightening cream with antioxidants for your skin.
• Cosmetic procedures can be helpful in some cases of hyperpigmentation are not recommended for melasma, they are expensive and may come back in a year.
• To prevent melasma and protect skin from the sun by using sun protection scream with SPF 8 and above.
• Hydroquinone is topical scream with a completely organic compound that occurs naturally in bombardier beetles. It works by gently lightening skin, and does not cause side effect as others.
• Melasma will clear up on their own when baby is born and hormones are adjusted after birth. There is no need treatment for this.
• Using calamine as moisturizing lotions and soothing extracts to maintain skin after successfully cure melasma.
• MSM supplements are known to treat melasma. Start out with 1 to 2 grams a day, and see how your body reacts before consume more.
• Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical peels with glycolic acid.
• Tretinoin is an acid that increases skin cell turnover. Avoid his treatment during pregnancy.

Melasma treatment methods to avoid

Some melasma treatments are controversial. There is some debate on how to treat melasma. Like I've said, there is no magic cure, but many products and treatments will make a difference. Be wary of these three melasma treatments.

1. Bleaching creams. By using a doctor-prescribed bleaching cream on your skin you are causing the melanin-producing cells to slow down production. This can be beneficial especially if you continue to use sun block all the time, but be wary of products that are truly poisonous. Talk to your doctor about possible side-effects and existing research. Bleaching ingredients such as hydroquinone are somewhat controversial and proven to be dangerous to pregnant women.

2. Microdermabrasion. This can be an excellent treatment for a variety of skin care problems, but melasma is often worsened by heat. I'd recommend avoiding microdermabrasion and opt for a gentler exfoliation process instead.

3. Lasers and lights. These are relatively new treatments that can be incredibly expensive. If you choose to receive these treatments, be sure to work with a dermatologist or investigate the credibility of the esthetician. Also, be wary of exorbitant prices because insurance rarely covers these expenses.