What should I do if I have Melasma? Learn about the causes and treatment!
Melasma, or skin discoloration, is more common in women. Hormonal changes and the fertile age play an important role, but men can also suffer from it.
Common Causes of Melasma
There are many factors that contribute to the development of Melasma, such as pregnancy, the use of hormonal contraceptives, estrogen-based treatments, certain epilepsy medications, genetic factors, ovarian pathologies, cosmetics, and prolonged exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet radiation.
This type of skin discoloration typically appears on the cheeks, nose, forehead, chin, and upper lip, usually in a bilateral and symmetrical manner.
How Should Melasma Be Treated?
The treatment of Melasma must be individualized, as each skin type is different. Factors that may be contributing to the appearance of the spots, such as the use of cosmetics or exposure to tanning beds, should be eliminated if possible.
A dermatologist should include high sun protection through a specialized cream, which should be applied at least twice daily throughout the year for optimal results.
Topical treatments with depigmenting effects, such as hydroquinone, retinoic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, alpha-lipoic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, Vitamin C, and tranexamic acid, are commonly used.
All these acids should be applied by a skin professional; they should not be taken lightly or self-prescribed, as the effect could be the opposite: worsening the Melasma and making it difficult to eliminate. Mesotherapy can also be an alternative, as it contains active ingredients used in topical treatments, but with a faster action.
Chemical peels performed in a consultation can be superficial or deep, with the most commonly used being those based on glycolic acid, salicylic acid, Jessner’s solution, trichloroacetic acid, retinol, and azelaic acid.
Dermabrasion and lasers can also be used, although these are typically reserved for very specific cases that are resistant to other treatments and are somewhat more costly.
A specialist dermatologist can determine the best approach, which may involve combining several types of treatments for optimal results. Depending on the extent and severity of Melasma, improvement and possibly complete resolution may be achieved.