Reason Of Melasma And Treatments:
When you look in the mirror and observe some dark spot on forehead or other parts of your face that affects your beauty and appearance of the skin, you feel bad. These dark patches are called melasma. Melasma in pregnancy is very common due to hormonal changes and is sometimes also called a mask of pregnancy. This skin disorder is not only associated with pregnant women but also affects women in all stages of their life. In this blog, we will discuss the reason of melasma, and melasma treatments. Let’s explore:
What Is Melasma:
Melasma is a common skin disorder characterized by dark, discolored facial areas, sometimes called chloasma. Although sometimes it happens to men, but typically affects women, especially those with darker skin tones.
 90% of persons who get melasma are women, says The American Academy Of Dermatology,Â
The blotches of brown-grayish skin appear mostly on:
– Chin
– Nose
– CheeksÂ
– Forehead
– Upper lipsÂ
It may also appear on the other body parts with more exposure to sunlight.
–Â Forearms
– Neck
– Shoulders
According to a dermatology lecturer, If melasma appears in a female in their teenage years, it may persist for decades.
Causes Of Melasma:
Melasma is a complex condition that is caused by multiple factors, although the root cause is still debatable. Melasma causes due to more production of melanocytes as a result dark upper lips, or brown spots in a particular area appear. Melasma causes due to many factors including:
– Hormonal changes.
– Sunlight exposure.
– Genetics.
– Sunbed/sunlamps.
– Thyroid problem.
– Other factors.
– Hormonal Changes:
An important reason of melasma is hormonal changes, specifically a rise in estrogen and progesterone levels. This is why using hormonal contraceptives or being pregnant are common triggers for the condition. If you are in search of ways to treat melasma, you must have a checklist of what to avoid in your skincare product to keep yourself safe from melasma in pregnancy.
– Sunlight Exposure:
Melanocytes, the cell that produces melanin, become overactive when exposed to UV radiation in specific skin regions in people with melasma, developing dark patches.
– Genetics:
This is another reason of melasma that causes dark patches on the skin. You may have a higher risk of melasma if someone in your family has this skin condition.
– Overstress and Anxiety:
Some researchers find that the hormone releases more cortisol during stress and anxiety, which can trigger melasma, but it’s controversial.
– Sunbed or Sunlamps:
Exposing your skin to sunbeds or sunlamps may also cause melasma because tanning beds produce stronger ultraviolet rays than sunlight. These stronger UV rays trigger more melanin production, which causes melasma symptoms.
– Thyroid Problem Can Trigger Melasma:
Thyroid glands produce the hormones that are helpful in the breakdown of food. A person with thyroid disease may be at the risk of melasma. It is also observed that when we treat thyroid problems, it fades away the melasma.Â
– Reason Of Melasma – Other Factors:
– Certain medications, anti-seizure medicine.
– Cosmetics/ skincare products with harsh chemicals.
– Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.
Combinations of variables, such as hormone shifts, sun exposure, and hereditary predisposition, are thought to be the root causes of melasma. Therefore, the term “mask of pregnancy” refers to the condition that frequently happens during pregnancy or when using hormonal contraceptives.
Natural TreatmentFor Melasma:
Melasma is not a harmful skin condition, but it is chronic, which means it is long-lasting. Some people have melasma for a short time, but some have it for their entire life. You can treat symptoms of melasma by following home treatments.
– A good cleansing routine.
-Relieve skin’s stress with antioxidants.
-Moisturize your skin daily.
-Sunscreen.
-Be persistent and careful.
-Follow a good cleansing routine:
To cure melasma at home, you should understand the importance of healthy skin and follow a good cleansing routine. Different pollutants contribute to melasma.
According to Dr. Kourosh: Air pollutants damage the skin’s protective layer and weaken it, making it more susceptible to sun damage. Establishing a good skincare routine removes and protects dirt and contaminants from the skin.
-Relieve skin’s stress with antioxidants:
Antioxidants are powerful tools to combat skin stress due to environmental damage and oxidative stress. Vitamin E and C helps protect our skin from sun damage. So use serums on your skin that contain these vitamins. Moreover, if we add healthy food to our diet, it also prevents skin damage due to sun exposure.
-Moisturize your Skin Daily:Â
Use good moisturizers after applying the serum because moisturizer protects the skin’s barrier and protects our skin from any damage.
-Sunscreen:
Sun exposure is a prominent reason of melasma. Proper protection from UV rays is the best way to treat melasma. So you should wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. If you feel more sweating on your skin, reapply sunscreen after twelve hours.
– Be Persistent and Careful:
 The home treatment of melasma is not overnight magic, so be persistent and careful because it takes a long time for melasma to clear up. Long-term treatment is necessary to treat melasma.
If this melasma isn’t treated with home remedies and your dermatologist suggests a peeling method, please click to know how many peeling sessions are required to get rid of it.
FAQS:
1- Can any treatment permanently remove melasma?
There is no proper cure for melasma. Several medicines and specific home remedies can improve this skin condition. But it would help if you remembered that some treatments fade the dark spots, but with some drugs, it remains the same.
2- Is lemon helpful in treating melasma?
According to some research, lemon has bleaching properties to lighten the skin.
3- What nutritional deficiency is the cause of melasma?
Iron and vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause of melasma. Different research proves a close relationship between Vitamin B12 and melasma.
Conclusion:
If you observe pigmentation on your face, this is due to melasma. This is the most common skin condition that can not be cured completely. But a good skincare routine and certain medicines can be helpful to improve skin tone, and you can get a radiant complexion and even skin tone.
Finally, If these home remedies don’t work, please consult a dermatologist for more effective and advanced medicinal treatments.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21454-melasma#:~:text=Melasma%
20is%20a%20skin%20condition,and%20some%20treatments%20may%20help.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459271/
