Melasma is a common condition that causes discolouration and dark patches on the skin. It happens due to the overproduction of the cells that make the colour of the skin known as melanocytes. Melasma doesn’t cause any itchiness, pain or discomfort and for the most part, it’s harmless. Though it’s harmless, the patches can make you self-conscious since it occurs on the face and other areas that are exposed to the sun. It mostly affects women though men can get it as well. According to research, 90% of people who develop melasma are women.
Types
There are three types of melasma depending on the depth and appearance of the pigment.
- Epidermal melasma has a dark brown colour and a well-defined border. It appears obvious under black light and sometimes responds well to treatment.
- Dermal melasma has a light brown or bluish colour and a blurry border. It appears no differently under black light and doesn’t respond well to treatment.
- Mixed melasma is the most common type. It has both bluish and brown patches, shows a mixed pattern under black light and shows some response to treatment.
Causes
There are a number of possible causes of melasma though doctors still don’t fully understand why it occurs. It may be due to the malfunction of the melanocytes. People with light brown to darker skin tones are more likely to suffer from this condition than people with lighter skin tones. Some other risk factors include:
Birth control – one of the main causes of melasma is elevated levels of estrogen. Birth control works by increasing estrogen in the body. Estrogen also increases the expression of a gene that increases the levels of pigmentation. About 25% of women reported their melasma started after beginning birth control.
Pregnancy – Melasma is also called the “mask of pregnancy” because it commonly affects pregnant women. 15% to 50% of women experience this condition during their pregnancy. It happens due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone.
Sex – As mentioned, melasma affects women more than men. This is due to the production of estrogen. Some women produce more estrogen than others which, in turn, causes hyperpigmentation.
Stress – When you’re stressed, the body is unable to function at optimal levels and causes hormonal imbalance. This can lead to an increase in certain hormones including estrogen. Stress also causes an increase in cortisol levels which can trigger melasma.
Thyroids – Thyroid makes hormones that help your body with certain functions including pigmentation. If you suffer from a thyroid problem, you’re at a higher risk of developing melasma and treating this problem can clear your melasma.
Sun exposure – The sun can trigger the body to produce more melanin leading to uneven skin tone and patches on the skin. this is the reason melasma affects areas that are most exposed to the sun.
Makeup – Some makeup contains harmful chemicals that can trigger a phototoxic reaction leading to dark patches on the skin.
Medication – Apart from birth control, medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, retinoids, and antipsychotics can lead to this condition.
Genetics – If melasma runs in your family, you’re more likely to develop the condition. Melasma is a genetic condition and about 50% of people who suffer from it have relatives who have the condition.
LED screens – The blue light from LED screens such as TVs, computers and phone is harmful to the skin. It can cause an array of skin issues including melasma.
Symptoms
It’s hard to self-diagnose melasma since it can look the same as some of the symptoms of skin cancer. Therefore, it’s important to seek professional help if you notice discolouration on the skin. However, melasma appears in six locations or a combination of the locations in the skin. These are:
- Lateral cheek pattern appears on both cheeks.
- Mandibular appears on the jawline.
- Brachial appears on your shoulders and upper arms.
- Centrofacial appears on your forehead, cheeks, nose and upper lip.
- Malar appears on your cheeks and nose.
- Neck appears on all sides of the neck in people age 50 or older,
Treatment
Melasma can disappear on its own after a few months. For some, it can last for several years or a lifetime. You can seek treatment for the condition but it’s not guaranteed that it will clear up completely. A dermatologist may carry out some tests to diagnose the condition. One of the most common tests is known as the Wood’s lamp examination where they use a special light to check for bacterial and fungal infections. This test also determines how many layers of skin the melasma affects. Treatments include topical steroids, chemical peels, and dermabrasion.
Home Remedies & Prevention
There are some home remedies and preventative measures you can take to keep this condition at bay. Home remedies help fade the spots and get an even skin tone depending on the severity of the condition if you already have melasma.
- Dab lemon juice and rinse after 15 minutes.
- Apply turmeric and rinse after 20 minutes.
- Apply glycolic acid.
- Massage with Vitamin E oil. Health: The Benefits Of Vitamin E, Myths And Precautions
- Apply honey and rinse after 20 minutes.
- Use aloe Vera gel based cream. Here’s Why You Should Consider Using Aloe Vera Oil On Your Skin
Some preventative measures include:
- Use sunscreen daily. Skincare: The Benefits Of Sunscreen And How To Apply It Properly
- Avoid tanning.
- Manage stress.
- Cleanse daily. Beauty: 6 Benefits Of Using Cleansers
- Moisturize your skin. 6 Benefits Of Incorporating A Moisturizer Into Your Skincare Routine
- Add antioxidants to your diet.
- Avoid chemicals on the skin.
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