Melasma – Melasma – Chloasma

Melasma (Chloasma)

Description melasma

Melasma is a skin condition, in which it appears on the brown spots. These spots usually appear on the cheeks, nose, forehead, chin and upper lip. Spots may also appear on the neck and forearms.

Melasma often appears during pregnancy, but it can also occur at any moment in both men and women.

The causes of melasma

Brown spots are caused by increased content of melanin in the skin. The exact cause is not known to increase the amount of melanin. Causes, The researchers believe, associated with hormone levels, such as estrogen and progesterone. Sun exposure also plays a major role in the appearance of melasma.

Risk factors for melasma

Factors, that may increase the risk of melasma include:

• Reproductive age women;
• Tanned skin;
• Pregnancy;
• Prolonged exposure to the sun;
• Birth control pills;
• Use of products, which irritate the skin, such as cosmetics;
• Taking certain medications, such as anticonvulsant drugs or agents for hormone replacement therapy;
• Family history of melasma.

The symptoms of melasma

The only sign of melasma is not painful or itchy dark patches of skin.

Not all brown spots on the skin are a sign of melasma. When changes in the skin, consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of melasma

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. There will be an inspection of the skin. For these purposes, the lamp is often used, called Wood's lamp (black light lamp). To perform a biopsy may be taken a small sample of skin. The sample will be sent to a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for melasma

Melasma can disappear by itself. If it does not pass, perhaps, it will have treated. Generally, getting rid of melasma can be quite a difficult process. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment method.

Removing the cause of melasma

Factors, melasma that cause can be eliminated. For Example:

• Melasma, associated with pregnancy may slowly disappear after childbirth;
• Melasma, associated with taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy drugs can disappear after stopping treatment.

It can appear and become darker, If you become pregnant again or resume taking medication.

Protection ulytrafioletovogo world

Protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation plays an important role in assisting in the treatment of melasma. You must avoid the sun and solarium. Your doctor may recommend applying sunscreen, wear clothing and a hat when on the street.

Medications for the depigmentation of the skin

Some medications, such as bleaching creams, are used to lighten skin color. The most common bleaching cream, which is used to treat melasma hydroquinone used. Также могут быть использованы другие кремы – третиноин, corticosteroids, azelaic acid or glycolic acid. These creams used for skin lightening.

Your skin may be sensitive to these drugs. Be careful, when you start to use them. From the beginning of the use of creams to improve the appearance of the skin may take several months.

Other treatments for melasma

Sometimes other procedures are used to remove the outer layers of the skin:

• Chemical peeling;
• Микродермабразия – удаление верхнего слоя кожи;
• Laser therapy.

In addition to treatment need to avoid the use of products, которые могут раздражать кожу – макияж, creams and cleansers.

Prevention of melasma

To reduce the risk of melasma, do the following::

• Limit the amount of time, you spend in the sun. Avoid solarium;
• Daily use of sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF 30 or more. Also against melasma recommended to use sunscreen, containing zinc oxide and titanium oxide.