Melasma

A patchy, hypermelanotic skin disorder, melasma is also known as chloasma or mask of pregnancy and it poses a serious cosmetic although non-life-threatening problem. It darkens the facial skin, and commonly affecting the cheeks, forehead, jaw line and areas around the mouth. It may occur in all races. But it's more common in darker skin types, especially Hispanics and Asians. Melasma affects females more often than males, occurring commonly in women during their reproductive years.

Causes of Melasma

The exact causes of melasma is unknown. But genetics may play a large role as more than 30% of patients have a family history of melasma. Hyper pigmentation results from increased melanin production although the number of melanocytes remains normal. Melasma may be related to various causes such as:

• Increased hormonal levels that are associated with pregnancy
• Menopause
• Ovarian cancer, and the use of hormonal contraceptives or hormonal replacement therapy
• Progestational agents, phenytoin and mephenytoin may also contribute to this disorder.
• Exposure to sunlight may stimulate melasma, but it may also develop without any apparent predisposing factor.
• Another study found a fourfold increase in thyroid disease in patients with melasma.
• Genetics and hormonal influences along with ultraviolet light are likely the major causes of melasma.

Symptoms of Melasma

Typically, melasma produces large, tan-brown, irregular patches, symmetrically distributed on the forehead, cheeks, and sides of the nose. Less commonly, these patches may occur on the neck, upper lip, and temples.

Treatment of Melasma

If you have this disease, then you should be use Possible treatment such as:

• Deeper chemical peels run the risk of increasing pigmentation and causing uneven results, but may be recommended in severe cases.
• Treatment consists primarily of application of bleaching agents, the most commonly used agents contain 2% to 4% hydroquinone to inhibit melanin synthesis.
• For the treatment of this disease, you should avoid irritating the facial skin. No strong soaps or abrasive cleaners - use only a mild soap or cleanser for washing.
• Another treatment for this disease is new medication such as Tri-Luma. It is used for treating melasma and it is a combination of hydro quinone, tretinoin, and fluocinolone acetonide.
• You should be applied this medication twice daily for up to B weeks. Combination sunscreen and hydro quinone products also have been effective.
• You should use daily sunscreen not only helps prevent melasma but is crucial in the prevention of skin cancer and wrinkles.
• You can also use another treatment for example, some patients resort to removing superficial pigmented skin cells, through exfoliation, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and light freezing of the skin with liquid nitrogen. But, these methods may also cause excess irritation and may also cause an increase in skin pigmentation.
• You can also be used Tretinoin ( Retin-A) as monotherapy or with hydroquinone. Because azelaic acid is as effective as hydro quinone in treating melasma.