Melasma is a common skin disorder that causes brown to gray-brown patches and pigmentation on the face. It can also affect the back, arms, neck and other parts of the body which gets a lot of sun exposure. Most people get it on their cheeks, upper lip, forehead, bridge of their nose, chin, etc. It is important to not confuse Melasma with Hyperpigmentation.
Who Gets Melasma?
Melasma is more common in women than in Men, in dark skinned patients and can happen to anyone between the age of 20-40 years.
What Triggers Melasma?
The pigmentation is caused due to overproduction of melanin by the pigment cells triggered by causes like:
- Hormonal changes
- Severe temperature changes along with Sun exposure
- Hereditary
- Pregnancy
- Hypothyroidism
- Oral contraceptive pills
How To Diagnose And Treat Melasma?
Diagnosis of Melasma is simple and mostly clinical. However, the treatment differs based on different causes and type of Melasma. Epidermal melasma responds faster than dermal melasma. The depth of melasma can be better understood using Wood’s Lamp. In some cases, your dermatologist may remove a part of your skin to run a biopsy.
Depending on the exact cause, the best treatment for Melasma include:
- A chemical peel,
- microdermabrasion, or
- laser toning
While these treatments are known to be most successful, it is strongly advised that they are performed by a dermatologist and after a consultation only.
The objective of the Melasma treatment on face is to reduce and ultimately stop melanocytes from producing any new pigments. Azelaic acid and Kojic acid are commonly recommended Melasma treatment by dermatologists in India.