Sun protection can help fade melasma and prevent it from returning. If you're tempted to skip the sunscreen because it leaves a white cast on your skin, consider using a tinted sunscreen. Medication and procedures: Your dermatologist may prescribe a medication that can decrease the excess pigment in your skin.
Papaya Both raw and ripe papaya are used for curing various skin disorders. Papain, present in papayas, causes them to be the best home remedy for melasma. Mash a few pieces of papaya and mix it with honey. Apply the paste on affected areas and leave it for 20 minutes.
Melasma is harmless, physically, but can have an emotional impact. Some people may feel embarrassed to allow others to see their skin condition. Fortunately, melasma typically fades after about three months.
Triple combination cream (hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroid) remains the most effective treatment for melasma, as well as hydroquinone alone. Chemical peels and laser- and light-based devices have mixed results. Oral tranexamic acid is a promising new treatment for moderate and severe recurrent melasma.
Triggered by factors like birth control, menopause and pregnancy, the condition usually subsides on its own. It can be treated by dermatologists as well, but there is no permanent cure for this skin issue.
Peach or pink color concealers are highly effective in hiding hyperpigmented spots for light to medium skin tone. And, deeper orange or red color concealers can cover the dark spots for people with a darker complexion.
Because the condition is fueled primarily by sunlight and female hormones, there's no true way to cut off the stimulus for melasma. In other words, you may get encouraging results from a gentle chemical peel, but they're likely to be short-lived. Eventually, nature will regain the upper hand.
So, when you want to eat something to treat melasma and freckles, eliminate suspected allergenic foods such as eggs, milk and dairy products, soy and soy products, wheat gluten , marine fish and shellfish, peanuts. For many people, melasma and freckles are hormonal triggers.
Conclusions: Full-face iontophoresis of vitamin C appears to be an effective short-term treatment for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. A protocol of strict sun avoidance in combination with a mandelic/malic acid skin care regimen appears to be useful in maintaining the improvement.
Stress: While this is controversial, some research findings suggest that stress can trigger melasma. Stress causes the body to make more of the hormone cortisol. An increase in cortisol may trigger melasma.
Medications. Common medications can stir up melasma—and we're not talking about just birth control pills. “Some anti-seizure medicines, certain diuretics, the acne medicine spironolactone—all can trigger or worsen melasma,” says Dr. Geraghty.
Possible causes of melasma include sun exposure, changes in hormones, and skincare products that contain irritating chemicals. The dark patches develop as a result of malfunctioning melanocytes, the cells that produce color in the skin.
“People think it's going to fade—which it will do—but it won't do that without scrubbing away the cells and working on it. And sometimes it'll get darker before it gets lighter,” As with the night, it seems.
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, so retinol is very effective in treating melasma and dark spots, promoting outstanding effects when used on the skin.
For some women, melasma disappears on its own. This typically occurs when it's caused by pregnancy or birth control pills. There are creams your healthcare professional can prescribe that can lighten the skin. They might also prescribe topical steroids to help lighten the affected areas.
Melasma is more common in darker skin types than in lighter skin types, and it is particularly more common in light brown skin types. Women are affected nine times more than men. Melasma is rare before puberty and more common in reproductive years. Melasma is present in 15% to 50% of pregnant patients.
Melasma and Malnutrition. While melasma most often develops after prolonged sun exposure or during pregnancy due to fluctuating hormone levels, it may also be a sign of malnutrition or liver disease. Studies have linked melasma to people with poor liver function, vitamin B12 deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is common in: Pregnant women. Women taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
As a dermatologist, I am often asked if Zinc deficiency or Vitamin D deficiency play a role in developing melasma. While vitamin deficiencies do cause skin problems, there are no known vitamin deficiencies that cause melasma. There are no cases of Vitamin disorders or deficiencies associated with melasma.
Also, melasma LOVES heat, so best to avoid it whenever possible. Hydration. Drinking tons of water is key. I notice that when I'm dehydrated, my melasma looks a little darker.
The idea behind lemon juice to treat melasma is similar to that of apple cider vinegar. Many sites recommend rubbing the dark patches of skin with lemon juice and leaving it to dry before rinsing with water. Lemon juice is thought to lighten the skin because it is a bleaching agent.