Pregnant women (who constitute a big proportion of melasma patients) should avoid most of these medications except for azelaic acid, which is a safe choice during pregnancy. These medications work by reducing pigment production and inflammation, and by reducing excess blood vessels in the skin that contribute to melasma. These include medications such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, cysteamine, rucinol, and tranexamic acid. The most commonly used treatments for melasma are skin lightening medications that are applied topically. Using the appropriate medications under the supervision of a dermatologist can help achieve treatment goals and maintain them with fewer relapses. It is also important to be aware of possible side effects of treatment, including darkening of the skin caused by inflammation induced by the treatment, or extra lightening of the skin in a treated area. In addition, frequent relapses are common. It is important to know that these treatment options may result in an incomplete response, meaning that some of the discolorations become lighter or disappear while some remain unchanged. Can melasma be treated?Ĭurrently there is no cure for melasma however, there are several medications and procedures available to manage this condition. It is important for people with melasma to know that visible light can go through windows, and therefore even if they are not out in the sun, they can still get melasma flares by exposing themselves to visible light while driving or sitting by a window. These products can conceal dark spots and therefore alleviate the psychosocial impact of melasma, and at the same time act as a sunscreen to protect against darkening of the lesions. Non-tinted sunscreens, on the other hand, do not block visible light.įor some people, it might be more convenient to use cosmetic products such as foundations that contain both UVA/UVB blockers and visible light blockers such as iron oxide. What sunscreen should melasma patients use?Ĭhoosing an appropriate sunscreen is critical if you develop melasma, and studies have shown that broad-spectrum tinted sunscreens, especially ones containing iron oxide, can lower pigment production in the skin in melasma patients, as they block visible light as well as UVA/UVB rays. Strict sun protection is the mainstay of any melasma treatment regimen. to 4 p.m.), diligently using high-SPF sunscreens, and avoiding hormonal medications when possible may help protect against melasma flares and reduce their recurrence after treatment. Avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours (10 a.m. Can melasma be prevented?Ĭurrently, melasma cannot be fully prevented in people who are likely to develop this condition due to their genetics, skin color type, hormones, or sun exposure level. Sun exposure is another important contributor to melasma. Melasma is known as the "mask of pregnancy" since hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, as well as hormonal medications such as birth control pills, are major triggers for excessive skin pigment production in melasma. Melasma is a common disorder, with a prevalence of 1% that can increase to 50% in higher-risk groups, including those with darker skin. Melasma is not physically harmful, but studies have shown that it can lead to psychological problems and poorer quality of life due to the changes it causes in a person's appearance. It is commonly seen on the face, and appears as dark spots and patches with irregular borders. Melasma is a pigmentation disorder of the skin mostly affecting women, especially those with darker skin.
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