Melasma

Anyone who has a hereditary or hormonal predominance of pigmentation can get melasma. It can also occur due to Sun exposure without protective clothing and weather changes. Melasma is more common in females. Only 10% of male patients get melasma. Triggering factors for Melasma – Sunlight – Hormonal changes – Few cosmetic irritant products – Oral contraceptive pills Melasma treatments – Use sunscreen regularly with SPF30 or higher. Apply it 15 minutes before stepping out. Repeat the application every 3 hours, even when at home. – Local application of various creams like hydroquinone group, tretinoin group other depigmenting creams & oral medications – Chemical peel – Microdermabrasion – Skin Polishing – Fractional Q switch ND-Yag laser (Q switch laser)

Melasma is a chronic form of pigmentation in the skin that appears as spots or blotches. It can start in the early 20s and last up to your 40s. Usually seen in more women than men, it can make the skin sensitive to the Sun due to the overproduction of melanin by the pigment cells(melanocytes) during sun exposure. Melasma on the skin can be of the following types: Epidermal melasma has a well-defined border & it is in dark brown color. This melasma responds very good to the line of treatment. Dermal Melasma, is located in the dermis of skin & has faded borders. This pigment is light brown or bluish in color. Being deeply seated, it responds poorly to the treatment. Mixed Melasma, the most commonly found as Light brown, dark brown, bluish pigmentation on the skin. This improves partially with the treatment. Melasma can also be triggered due to various reasons including pregnancy in women, overexposure to the Sun without adequate protection, consumption of oral contraceptives, thyroid, etc. In order to treat melasma, consult a board-certified dermatologist to recognize the exact cause and procedure for the same. Your dermatologist can suggest topical creams to improve the skin’s texture. Skin treatments containing Vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid, azelaic acid and niacinamide will also help treat pigmentation. Additionally, you need to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher as well as PA+++ rating (PF indicates protection from UVB rays while PA implies protection from UVA rays) to fight free radicals in the skin. In any case, the treatment of Melasma is individualized. Every patient of melasma needs to be treated differently depending upon a level of pigment & type of skin. Multiple treatment modalities should be used to get the best outcome rather than monotherapy.

Melasma is a common skin condition that occurs mostly in women, especially during pregnancy. It appears as coloured spots or blotches on the skin and occurs due to the overproduction of melanin. It can also be caused due to sun exposure, climate changes and could also be hereditary in a few people. It can be seen as freckle-like spots on the face. However, there are various treatments that can help treat and bring melasma under control, – Chemical peels on the surface or in-depth layers of the skin that help to exfoliate dead cells, hydrate the skin, and give a rejuvenized look. – Laser treatments that reduce the excess melanin production and help to counter pigmentation in the skin – Trichloroacetic acid treatments – This treatment is most common in treating melasma. This treatment can give the best results. – Some oral and topical medications can help ease the texture of pigmented skin – It is necessary that those suffering from Melasma apply sunscreen frequently and avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Sunscreen must be applied even while at home. Always consult a dermatologist before trying out any of these treatment procedures as he or she can recommend the best remedy for your skin type. With constant checkups and treatment for your skin, you can get the best results in about 4-6 months.

Melasma is a result of pigmentation on the skin, caused by the overproduction of melanin by the pigment cells of the skin called melanocytes. It is a chronic skin condition that results in symmetrical, brownish, blotchy face pigmentation. Thankfully, there are various treatments and therapies that work to cure the skin condition. The most popular form of treatment for melasma is the use of chemical peels. Usually, a chemical peel costs between Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000 through a good clinic. Some dermatologists might also require a combination of chemical peels, depending upon the intensity of melasma on your skin. You should consult a dermatologist near you and get a skin analysis conducted to figure out the exact treatment for melasma. Ensure that you only visit a board-certified dermatologist who can diagnose a proper treatment for you without any discomfort to your skin.

Melasma is a result of skin pigmentation, which can be caused due to many different reasons. For some, it’s hormonal or due to overexposure to the Sun. For others, it can be genetic. Many women also face melasma during and after pregnancy. Despite the reason for its occurrence, it needs to be brought under control through various types of treatment methods including laser treatments, chemical peels, along with topical applications and oral medications. This skin condition takes almost 4-6 months to fade but may differ from person to person. Around 60% of patients get promising results from the first day of treatment. 20% take a gradual pace in showing improvements whereas the remaining 20% don’t show any improvements at all. It takes about 5 to 6 sessions of treatment to determine whether the melasma condition is responding to the treatment. With continuous treatment, medicines, and care for your skin as recommended by your dermatologist, you can treat melasma effectively.

No, melasma is not contagious. It cannot be spread from person to person.