[I:http://www.naturmeds.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DavisJones26.jpg]It might look alarming, Melasma is a very common and purely cosmetic skin disorder that creates darker, abnormal patches along the face and neck.
Melasma can often be brought on through a combination of extended sun exposure and female hormone imbalances, which is why it is also better-known as “chloasma faciel,” or “face of pregnancy.” With these 2 aspects concurrently, melanin-developing cells (which are in charge of skin color) enter overdrive, making skin to appear more dark than it should in patches.
Beside pregnancy and hereditary factors, Melasma is frequently prompted by contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, skin infection, waxing, thyroid problems, and excessive stress levels. Furthermore, some prescribed medicines like tetracycline or quinine can cause melanin production.
The simplest way to prevent Melasma, or keep it from getting worse, is to protect the dermis from sun exposure. Stay out of the sun as much as possible, and if you do stay outdoors long, wear protective clothing and a hat, and be sure to use sun screen every day to prevent UV damage. For added protection, find a sun block that includes physical blockers like zinc dioxide and titanium dioxide, with an SPF of no less than 20.
For most pregnant women, Melasma can go away on its own after delivery. Other times it might persist for several weeks, or even years, before vanishing.
Although there isn’t a true cure for Melasma, there are many ways to minimize the appearance of it by lightening the dark patches over time.
One of the most requested options is using a hydroquinone-based chemical peel, which, after application, can travel deep into the layers of the epidermis to reduce dark pigment and prevent it from forming further.
Superficial peels containing alpha hydroxyacids or glycolic acid can also help, albeit with several additional treatments than a hydroquinone chemical peel would need. The up side is that superficial peels have a much speedier recovery time. Both of these treatments are available without a prescription.
Treatments using a Fraxel laser or intense pulsed light therapy are a more serious and expensive choice, but can provide better outcomes at times. Make sure to consult a qualified and highly regarded dermatologist for your laser session.
Cosmetic Laser MD is a community of plastic surgeons, cosmetic dermatologists, and aesthetic physicians with more than 5,500 medical spa members world-wide and offers patients resources for melasma chemical peel and offers information on nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments for skin clinic patients.