melasma

melasma treatments that work

Posted by Great Skin Day × October 5, 2012 at 9:07 pm

Discover melasma treatments that work

Seeking melasma treatments that work is a major factor in changing our confidence and reducing the signs of melasma. Melasma which is also referred to as chloasma and in non medical terms “the mask of pregnancy“. A common misspelling may be Melsama.

It is a cutaneous condition that affects the human integumentary system — the organ system that comprises the entire surface of the body which also includes our skin. Melasma is a disorder linked to hyperpigmentation where visible brown patches/spots or blemishes are formed on certain regions of the face and neck in particular.

Although the actual condition does not have any ill effects, some people do not like the discoloration caused by the condition.

Melasma will usually prevail:

both sides of the face
Mainly on the cheeks / cheek bones
melasma upper lip
chin
nose
on the side of the neck
forehead
less common on forearms

The Dark spots or dark patches will often will have distinct edges to it.

melasma on the nose

Melasma. Blotchy patches of darker color often appear on the cheeks. The woman on the right developed the brown patches while pregnant.

Melasma pictures courtesy of AAD see references

melasma treatments that work

melasma treatments that work #1

Finding the melasma treatment that works on your face may vary, however the number one priority is to minimise exposure to the sunshine or sun that damages the skin. The underlying genetics and hormonal influences are beyond ones control, so the underlying factor that can be most influenced is the exposure to the sun.

The keys to melasma prevention and melasma treatments that work are sun avoidance/protection and skin lightening products.

The main prevention and the best melasma treatments that work is to consider a comprehensive UV protection (reduce the exposure to the sun). This should include regular if not daily use of Sun protection sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF with a suitable protection factor applicable to the expected duration in the sun. Typically many of today’s day creams and foundations may contain at minimum SPF 15.

Not only should you apply daily sunscreens but you also should wear a decent sun protective hat and clothing to prevent further exposure to the pigmented skin areas.

melasma treatments that work #2

melasma treatment creams or lightening products are designed to minimise the pigmentation within the underlying surface skin layer. These products have been formulated to minimise the dark spots or patches. Topical creams and applicatons of skin lightening products can help using active ingredients that bleach the darker spots and fade them to a suitable tone matching the lighter colour of your natural skin.

Medical Treatment

Melasma is treated by lightening the black or dark disclouration with active ingredients with bleaching properties. Creams and gels containing an active ingredient called hydroquinone are available at online stores and over the counter, containing up to a concentration level of the active ingredient hydroquinone of 2% is an ideal ingredient for reducing melasma and other dark skin blemishes

A higher concentration may be prescribed by your physician and may be recommended if you need a more effective treatment for more pronounced discolouration.

Warning

hydroquinone to lighten melasma should be applied with care in order to only apply on the darker spots. Lighter skin may also be bleached resulting in further pronounced differences. You should also avoid using products on damaged or irritated skin.

Other prescribed products with alternative ingredients may be available from your physician. They may be more irritating and more potent bleaching products.

Dermatologists may also recommend based on specific case:

Chemical Peel home treatments with active ingredients.

glycolic
tri-chloro-acetic acid also referred to (TCA)

to speed up improvements

Microdermabrasion may also be used in conjunction with topical application treatments. The aim is to take the upper layer of dead and dying skin cells to bring to the surface a younger skin layer.

Melasma laser treatment in severe cases your dermatologist may recommend laser treatment to remove the dark pigmentation.

Results to Melasma treatments may vary

With no regard to the specific treatment you decide to use, results may vary, depending on where the condition lies. If the pigmentation is only on the Surface then the it is typically easy to remove using standard treatments. However the more deeper pigment on the lower layers of skin are more difficult to treat using conventional surface treatments.

The deeper pigmentation is possible to treat and with time it will fade over a number of months or years if a strict regime of skin protection is maintained.

Treatment requires great discipline - Sun protection is key, A single day of unprotected UV or sun exposure in an individual susceptible to melasma can certainly undo several months of treatment , particularly in individuals with a tendency towards more deeply pigmented melasma

To find a melasma treatments that work is certainly a challenge. It will require your upmost level of discipline with the regard to continuous sun protection.

melasma treatments that work - suncreen protection for melasma

Applying suncreen daily or when exposed to the sun can greatly reduce the chances of melasma and hyperpigmentation

Melasma treatments that work – Preventive Treatment

The first step is to reduce your risk for developing melasma by applying sunscreen every day, all year long. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends selecting a sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor(SPF) of 30 or more.

Fortunately, for those that suffer melasma it is possible to obtain satisfying results with the combination of using sunscreen/and sun avoidance and to use an appropriate topical therapy such as the Murad lightening Serum / Gel – hydroquinone skin lightening product found to be great for melasma treatment.

melasma treatments that work – The best melasma treatment

In conclusion , dermatologists typically recommend applying sunscreen every morning and reapplying if required during days with long exposure in the sun, hydroquinone containing skin bleaches should be applied at bed time. This regimen generally provides visible results within a couple months and optimal results within six months. All sunscreens are over the counter or online and milder skin bleaches and vitamin A products are also available over the counter.