How to Cure Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition marked with darkening of certain areas of the skin. Melasma is also known as Chloasma faciei, or the ‘mask of pregnancy’ as it commonly affects pregnant women.
Symptoms
The skin affected by melasma is not sore or itchy. The cosmetic aspect of melasma i.e. the darkening of the skin is one of its most common symptoms. A change in skin color to brown, especially on the cheeks, upper lip, forehead, and nose is usually a sign that a person has melasma.
Causes
The exact cause of melasma is not known, although a host of factors contribute to exacerbate the condition. These include pregnancy, contraceptive pills, and other medicines that impact the hormonal levels in the body. Women undergoing hormone replacement therapy are also at the risk of developing melasma.
Women living in tropical climates are more prone to melasma than those living in cooler regions. Spending too much time in the sun is also a contributing factor in the development of melasma.
Types
While the symptoms make it easier to diagnose melasma, the depth of pigmentation is determined with the help of Wood’s lamp. The four cellular types of melasma as per Wood’s lamp examination are:
- Epidermal: Shows color contrast between normal and affected skin
- Dermal: Doesn’t show color contrast between normal and affected skin
- Mixed epidermal and dermal: Shows color contrast on some of the affected skin
- Inapparent: No lesions are seen under Wood’s light
Treatment
Hydroquinone creams are one of the common treatment options for melasma. Certain sunscreens that contain around 4% of hydroquinone are also effective. Although most of these creams can be easily bought over-the-counter, creams with 4% or more hydroquinone sometimes require a prescription.
Several clinical studies carried out over the years have found that creams with 2% hydroquinone are more effective than creams with higher concentration of hydroquinone. Applying these creams twice everyday is a common way of treating and managing the condition. People affected with epidermal type of melasma are more likely to see quick results with treatment as the pigment is closer to the skin.
In certain cases, melasma fades on its own after certain medications are stopped. However, treatment of melasma often requires visiting a dermatologist. Dermatologists assess your condition and prescribe medicines that are usually hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroid. Your dermatologists may also recommend a triple cream that is a combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroid.
Spectra Peel Treatment for Melasma
These days, a new form of treatment is being used for melasma removal. Known as Hollywood Spectra Peel treatment, this method is being used by many people who want to see great results within a quick time. Spectra Peel treatment provides a number of benefits over other chemical treatments as it doesn’t involve any medication while offering long term results. Spectra Peel treatment is also used to treat other skin conditions, including large pores, acne, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation.
It is important to remember that it takes some time to cure melasma completely. After you have recovered, you need to follow certain preventive measures to ensure melasma doesn’t develop again. Wearing a sunscreen every time you step out is an important preventive measure against melasma.
Thankfully, there are a number of treatment options for melasma today. Concluding, we hope helped you in getting information about this skin condition. You can share your thoughts with us using the comments section. Also, if you think this article will be helpful for someone you know, feel free to share it.