Melasma: An Overview
Melasma is a common skin condition that is most associated with young women who have brownish skin tones.
A common occurrence in areas that have tropical weather conditions, it is easily treatable on an outpatient basis.
Its outward appearance is that of a uniform brown coloring that appears on the cheeks, forehead, nose or upper lip.
It will be symmetrical, affecting both sides of the face equally.
Causes Even though Melasma can affect any woman, it is primarily found in women who have a skin tone in varying shades of brown.
It has been associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, and is often found in women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills, or undergoing hormone replacement therapy.
It is thought that the overabundance of either estrogen or progesterone in the body will sometimes manifest itself on the skin, creating the uniform, saddle-like appearance of brown discolorations across the face.
Diagnosis This type of skin problems will have no symptoms other than the discoloration of skin, so certain tests will have to be performed by your cosmetic surgeon before determining that you indeed have this common skin condition.
Before treatment can begin, other causes have to be ruled out that may be causing it, like bacterial or fungal infections, or normal age spots.
The most common way to test for these conditions is through the use of a Wood's Lamp.
A Wood's Lamp test is a simple procedure, and can easily be done in the doctor's office.
You simply sit in a darkened room, and the doctor examines your skin closely with an ultraviolet light, looking for any skin color changes.
If you normally treat your skin with any topical applications, it is a good idea to skip a day's treatment before undergoing this test, as it can interfere with the results.
Do not wash your face, either, because soap can produce a false negative result on the test.
Your doctor will be looking for material that glows under the light, like bacteria and fungi, so it is best to not have anything on the skin that could interfere or change the results.
Treatment Once it has been determined that you have this skin condition, your doctor will usually prescribe a topical cream to alter its effects.
These creams will contain a combination of tretinoin, kojic acid, and azelaic acid that will lighten and improve the appearance of the dark patches.
Alternative treatments can include chemical peels, or even topical steroid creams to alleviate its effects.
In extreme cases, laser skin resurfacing or dermabrasion may be employed to remove the darker skin over time.
The thing to remember about Melasma is that it has the chance to fade away on its own, over time.
Stopping hormone therapy treatments, going off birth control pills, or even delivering a child can cause the condition to fade, even though it may return with the next pregnancy.
The use of sunscreen is also recommended to avoid developing it, and prolonged sun exposure, even after treatment, could bring the discoloration back again.
A common occurrence in areas that have tropical weather conditions, it is easily treatable on an outpatient basis.
Its outward appearance is that of a uniform brown coloring that appears on the cheeks, forehead, nose or upper lip.
It will be symmetrical, affecting both sides of the face equally.
Causes Even though Melasma can affect any woman, it is primarily found in women who have a skin tone in varying shades of brown.
It has been associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, and is often found in women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills, or undergoing hormone replacement therapy.
It is thought that the overabundance of either estrogen or progesterone in the body will sometimes manifest itself on the skin, creating the uniform, saddle-like appearance of brown discolorations across the face.
Diagnosis This type of skin problems will have no symptoms other than the discoloration of skin, so certain tests will have to be performed by your cosmetic surgeon before determining that you indeed have this common skin condition.
Before treatment can begin, other causes have to be ruled out that may be causing it, like bacterial or fungal infections, or normal age spots.
The most common way to test for these conditions is through the use of a Wood's Lamp.
A Wood's Lamp test is a simple procedure, and can easily be done in the doctor's office.
You simply sit in a darkened room, and the doctor examines your skin closely with an ultraviolet light, looking for any skin color changes.
If you normally treat your skin with any topical applications, it is a good idea to skip a day's treatment before undergoing this test, as it can interfere with the results.
Do not wash your face, either, because soap can produce a false negative result on the test.
Your doctor will be looking for material that glows under the light, like bacteria and fungi, so it is best to not have anything on the skin that could interfere or change the results.
Treatment Once it has been determined that you have this skin condition, your doctor will usually prescribe a topical cream to alter its effects.
These creams will contain a combination of tretinoin, kojic acid, and azelaic acid that will lighten and improve the appearance of the dark patches.
Alternative treatments can include chemical peels, or even topical steroid creams to alleviate its effects.
In extreme cases, laser skin resurfacing or dermabrasion may be employed to remove the darker skin over time.
The thing to remember about Melasma is that it has the chance to fade away on its own, over time.
Stopping hormone therapy treatments, going off birth control pills, or even delivering a child can cause the condition to fade, even though it may return with the next pregnancy.
The use of sunscreen is also recommended to avoid developing it, and prolonged sun exposure, even after treatment, could bring the discoloration back again.