When it comes to melasma, we feel like we’ve nothing to do. But that’s not true! Our days of worrying have come to an end as now we have a number of solutions to get rid of them.

Melasma is characterized by brown, blue-gray, or freckle-like patches on the skin. When the cells that determine your skin’s color produce too much of themselves, it results in melasma.

Now that you know what it is, what you can do is include drugs like tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, cysteamine, and hydroquinone into your routine.

These ingredients are quite common & safe. However, some treatments might be beneficial too.

These drugs mentioned above function by lessening melasma-causing inflammation, pigment synthesis, and extra blood vessels in the skin.

Thus through the involvement of these ingredients over time you can see some possible changes in your routine.

In this article, we’ll talk more about what is melasma, what to do. when melasma knocks at the door of your skin.

Melasma symptoms & treatments

In case you notice that suddenly your skin has a darkening patchy spot that appears in patches and is dark brown or grayish, particularly in the cheeks, nose, upper lip, and forehead areas.

Even due to hormonal fluctuations, it is also frequent in premenopausal women.

Melasma’s primary characteristic is that it frequently shows up symmetrically on the face. And you’ll notice the spot doesn’t go away with time, it needs something more than your regular routine.

You’ll see spots that have uniformly spread across the forehead or nose, or “matching” patches on both cheeks.

Additionally, the neck and forearms may be affected. Although the skin darkening poses no health risks, you could experience self-consciousness due to how it appears.

These are the signs and symptoms of having it. Over time, these patches frequently appear gradually.

Consult a doctor if any of these melasma symptoms appear. They might suggest that you visit a dermatologist, a medical professional who focuses on treating skin conditions.

But you’ll be glad to hear that when it is brought on by pregnancy or birth control pills, melasma can sometimes go away on its own for some people.

Certain lotions or topical steroids that could lighten the skin may be recommended by the dermatologist.

There are chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion as further treatment alternatives that remove the top layers of the skin and brighten dark spots too.

However, these treatments don’t guarantee a full recovery with just one trial, certain treatments need a number of sessions to lighten it.

The likelihood of the melasma returning may be decreased by scheduling regular follow-up appointments and adhering to specific skincare regimens, like limiting sun exposure and wearing sunscreen.

Treatments

First of all, make sure that your melasma doesn’t get worse while you’re thinking about treating it. Avoiding the sun, LED screens, unpleasant soaps, and birth control that contains hormones will help you achieve this.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat sunscreen with iron oxides and an SPF of 30–50 every two hours if you remain exposed to the sun. These actions may stop the progression of your skin Damage.

Topical medicines are the second option. By reducing the production of melanin (the dark pigment), you can control melasma production.

There are some beneficial ingredients that can do magic for you such as

Azelaic acid- If it is used twice daily as a cream, lotion, or gel the chances of melasma production decrease a lot. However, you will be glad to hear that pregnant women can safely use it too.

Hydroquinone: Use a cream or lotion to apply this medication. For two to four months, it is applied directly to the melasma patches at night.

Tretinoin: A topical retinoid on prescription is known as tretinoin. It is efficient but should not be used when pregnant because it can lead to dermatitis.

Chemical peel: Your dermatologist will apply a chemical to your skin during a chemical peel, which could cause it to peel. Smoother and more uniformly colored skin should result from the regeneration process.

This is another way of treatment in case you want to see quick changes and take the risk of doing a chemical peel.

Other than chemical peels, there are some other treatments which are microdermabrasion, laser treatment, light therapy & dermabrasion.

These treatments are heard as effective for a number of melasma survivors. However, it’s very important to consult a dermatologist before doing it. As they will suggest the best treatment according to your skin type and condition.

Lastly, know that melasma has responded well to a combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin, and a mild topical steroid.

What is the main cause of melasma?

The exact cause of melasma is unclear. People with darker skin are more vulnerable than those with pale skin. Plus, the disease is also linked to sensitivity to estrogen and progesterone.

This implies that melasma can be brought on by hormone therapy, pregnancy, and birth control pills.

The causes of melasma are also known to include stress and thyroid disorders.

Moreover, sun exposure can also result in melasma because UV rays harm the cells that regulate pigment.

When melanin is overproduced in some regions of the skin, melasma forms. The pigment melanin is what gives your skin, eyes, and hair color.

We all know that skin that is darker in color produces more melanin; skin that is lighter in color produces less melanin.

Your skin contains melanocytes, which produce melanin. These cells occasionally malfunction and begin producing more melanin in some locations than in others for unknown reasons.

The dark, blotchy spots that we refer to as melasma are caused by an overabundance of melanin.

The good & bad about melasma

Melasma is not physically hazardous, but studies have shown that because of the changes it brings about in a person’s appearance, it can result in psychological issues and lower quality of life.

Mostly, there are no positive reviews heard about melasma. The majority feel uncomfortable and conscious about the spots they get due to melasma.

Even though it doesn’t cause any harm, people still try to remove them with the treatments mentioned above.

3 different types of melasma

Melasma can be classified into three primary categories based on the intensity of the pigment. Let’s have a glance at the three types in detail-

Epidermal melasma: You will be glad to hear that this kind of melasma is quite common and responds very well when therapy or any treatment is done for it.

This form of melasma forms a dark brown color or distinct border that is clear under black light.

Immediately consult any dermatologist close to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Dermal melasma: Dermal melasma has a bluish or light brown color, a fuzzy border that doesn’t change under a black light, and it doesn’t respond to treatment.

However, you can try to lighten this particular melasma by keeping yourself included in all kinds of treatments that are suitable to your skin type.

Don’t lose hope!

Mixed melasma: The most prevalent of the three melasma varieties, is mixed melasma which has both bluish and brown spots.

Under blacklight, it typically displays a jumbled pattern and displays the treatment’s weak reaction.

This is more common than the two mentioned above. And even though it has a poor reaction in case of treatments still with the regular in-touch treatment you can have it gone away.

Surviving with melasma

Even while not all melasma cases respond to treatment, there are steps you may take to prevent the problem from getting worse and to lessen the discoloration’s appearance. These consist of:

1. Makeup application to conceal patches of discoloration and get spot-free skin for your special day.

2. Taking prescription medication and using SPF 30 sunscreen every day. With that reapplication of sunscreen is a must.

3. Wearing a hat with a broad brim that covers your face or gives shade. So that you get double protection from the sun.

4. If you want to spend a lot of time in the sun, it is extremely vital to wear protective clothes.

Ask your doctor about local support groups or counselors if you feel self-conscious about your melasma. It can help to chat with someone or meet other people who have the illness.

Conclusion

Always keep in mind that melasma is common, typical, and safe, even though it feels inconvenient.

If this skin condition makes you feel self-conscious, it may have an impact on your social life. You do not, however, have to “live with it.”

You always have options for treatment. There are steps you can take to avoid these particular problems. Dermatologists are available that can assist you in getting out of it. Express your worries and ask them questions.

Always pay attention to your doctor’s recommendations and strictly adhere to your treatment plan.