Melasma

Melasma is usually a tan discoloration of a woman's face that is associated with pregnancy or with the use of oral contraceptives. However, men are also affected by melasma but they are comparatively less prone to this problem. Melasma is also known as chloasma or mask of pregnancy when it appears on a woman’s face. Color of skin, sex and age are key factors of melasma. People with dark skin are more vulnerable to this problem as against those having light-colored skin. Over three quarters of these cases are found in females as against males and it usually attacks after puberty. Melasma appears in some specific parts of the face like forehead, cheeks, nose or lips. Melasma can either be dark brownish in color or sometimes grayish.

Melasma is not precisely a skin disorder and its appearance does not harm the skin. A majority of melasma cases are treated topically and the dermatologist deals it according to the condition. When a pregnant woman gets affected by melasma, the doctor often advises her to wait till delivery because such discolorations usually disappear after child birth. Even if the problem occurs in any woman at any stage of life, it may prolong for a couple of months and then vanish. However, if it persists, one needs to go to the doctor for proper treatment.

Melasma Causes

Although exact cause of melasma is yet to be figured out but still the problem could be linked to heredity or hormonal changes. Sometimes, overexposure to sun, regular use of oral contraceptives can also lead to melasma. Sometimes, if there is overproduction of cells containing melanin, an insoluble pigment that accounts for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers, then one can be affected by melasma.

Melasma Treatment

There are several methods to treat melasma but still one may not get completely cured. However, these techniques may prevent the problem from getting exacerbated. And one effective and preventive method is to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apart from that, avoid applying any skin care products that irritate your skin and may aggravate the discoloration appeared on your face due to melasma.

Bleaching the skin is another method applied to treat melasma but it produces anticipated result in only mild melasma cases. Similarly, chemical peels are also used to get rid of melasma but these chemical agents should be used in proper strength. You will not get effective result if you use the chemical agent in light strength and in case, you increase its strength, side effects like burns and scars may appear on the skin.

You can also prefer laser treatment that not only treats melasma but also rejuvenates your face completely by removing the blemishes and symptoms of aging like wrinkles. You can revel again by having the beautiful look of skin for next five years if you would be able to protect it properly from sun. However, this technique brings side effects along with it like inflammation and irritation of the skin because lasers strip off the epidermis from your skin. You would be able to recover from these side effects either in few days or in a week. In addition, this is an expensive method to treat melasma and you would have to shell out good deal of money for it.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) is slightly better technique than laser as it does not remove the epidermis and emit radiation not only to the surface of the skin but also to its deep layers. Hence, this method does not carry any side effects. However, the appearance of the restored skin lasts for just one year if it is protected properly from sun.

You should always be aware that only professional physicians or dermatologists can deal the problem of melasma and not any beautician claiming to treat it in his/her beauty salon. Going to non-professionals for treatment will only worsen the problem. Also avoid treating yourself by applying bleaching or chemical agents without taking prescription of the doctor.