What is Melasma?
Melasma generally occurs when estrogen
and/or progesterone stimulate pigmentation hormones, causing dark brown
or grey, irregular sized patches on the face. The condition, also
called chloasma
or the mask of pregnancy, occurs most frequently in darker skinned
women, but can also occur in lighter-skinned people of both sexes.
Melasma is primarily seen among women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills or using hormone
replacement therapy. In general, the patches on the skin appear over
time, and at first may resemble small moles. The patches are located on
the cheeks, forehead and nose, and their irregularity in shape indicates
the condition. When a pregnancy ends or hormone treatment is
discontinued, the patches usually disappear in a few months.
Symptoms:
Melasma doesn't cause any other symptoms besides skin discoloration but may be
of great cosmetic concern.
Melasma treatment:
The principle treatment options include
topical hypopigmenting agents, chemical peels, laser therapy and
superficial dermabrasion. Treatment involves sun blocks,
bleach, and time. First-line therapy for melasma should
consist of fixed triple combinations. Where patients have either
sensitivity to the ingredients or a triple combination therapy is
unavailable, other compounds with dual ingredients (hydroquinone plus
glycolic acid) or single agents (4% hydroquinone, 0.1% retinoic acid, or
20% azelaic acid) may be considered as an alternative. In patients who
failed to respond to therapy, options for second-line therapy include
peels either alone or in combination with topical therapy. Lasers should
rarely be used in the treatment of this skin condition. I am not aware of a melasma cure. A combination of tretinoin cream
and a bleaching cream containing hydroquinone may be helpful in fading
some types of melasma. Occasionally, chemical peels or topical steroid
cream can be helpful. In severe cases, laser treatment can be
used to remove the dark pigment. For temporary help, make up can
be used. Salicylic acid peels are not effective in the treatment of
melasma when added to twice-daily 4% hydroquinone cream.
Home Remedies for Melasma
This skin disorder can be treated in the home by using simple
remedies for melasma. So we are presenting some of the simple and
effective home remedies for melasma.
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Hydroquinone
Apply hydroquinone 4% cream on the face daily twice for melasma treatment.
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Suncreen
Using sunscreen, helps a lot in the melasma treatment. You can
apply shade lotion SPF 45 sun screen on the face each morning for the
treatment of melasma.
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Oil mixture
Lavender oil mixed with tea tree oil should be applied on the
affected areas at least 4-5 times a day. You can find the improvement
within a week. This is an effective melasma treatment.
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Aloe vera oil
Apply the mixture of evening primrose oil, Vitamin E, and some
aloe vera oil once a week to make the skin smooth and reduce the
discoloration. This melasma cure is very effective.
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Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar should be used to wash the skin affected with
melasma. This reduces the excessive oil and hyperpigmentation. Vinegar
helps in whitening of the skin. This is one of the best melasma
treatment.
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Onion juice
Onion juice mixed with equal amount of apple cider vinegar applied
daily twice on the pigmentation helps to treat melasma. This is an
useful home remedy for melasma.
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Lemon
Lemon juice is also very beneficial in melasma. The spots will fade away on applying lemon juice.
