Melasma - Symptoms & Treatment

Melasma is a form of chloasma which can be located on the upper lips, the forehead, the cheeks or the chin. Although it tends to occur in all races, it's more common in darker skin types, especially Hispanics and Asians. It is common in women above aged 20. Mostly it is develop during pregnancy. It is also develop in persons who are taking hormone replacement therapy medications and contraceptives.

Symptoms of Melasma

Melasma can be seen on the forehead, upper lip, cheeks and nose in brown color. It appears as irregular or dark patches. There is no other symptoms are found in case of severe Melasma. Melasma produces large, tan-brown, irregular patches, symmetrically distributed on the forehead, cheeks, and sides of the nose. The symptoms of Melasma are:

• Tan, dark brown patches
• Irregular in shape
• It appears as irregular or dark patches
• symmetrically distributed on the forehead, cheeks, and sides of the nose.

Causes of Melasma

Melasma is commonly affected with pregnant women, women taking birth control pills, and those who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT)the causes are for Melasma include tropical climates and sun exposure. Risk factors for Melasma include tropical climates and sun exposure. It develops with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It can be arise from deficiency of nutritional, genetic factors, hepatic dysfunction and medications. genetics and hormonal influences along with ultraviolet light are likely the major causes of Melasma.

Treatment of Melasma

The treatment of Melasma may be includes:

• A bleaching cream containing hydroquinone with tretinoin cream can be used to fade the Melasma.
• Laser treatment may be helpful to remove the skin discoloration
• You should avoid exposure to the sun for a long period.
• You should use sunscreen lotions or creams daily.
• You should use only mild soaps or cleanser for wash your face.
• You should apply bleaching creams on the affected area for 6-8 months.
• You may be used tretinoin cream or fruit cream containing lactic acid, fruit acid or glycolic acid.
• Camouflage cosmetics approach is also beneficial for treatment of Melasma.
• Use sunblock lotions or creams with SPF-30.
• You should be stopped use of make-up, creams, lotions or facial cleansers which irritates the skin.
• Microdermabrasion, chemical peels or laser surgery may also help to treat the Melasma.
• Use Retin-A cream to the affected area before going to the bed, it is effective and safe treatment for Melasma.