The Science of Beauty
MELASMA TRIGGERS & SOLUTIONS
By Eliana Ocheseanu, the Skin Whisperer at Refinery21 Aesthetique
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THE SOLUTION: Treatment is not always necessary for melasma. If hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or while taking birth control pills have caused melasma, it will fade after delivery or once a person stops taking the pills.
ummer is officially here and we are all looking forward to a long beach vacation, By October, though, as your tan will be almost gone, a glance in the mirror may still show some darkened patches on your skin that seem to be sticking around. These brown or grayish-brown blotches, typically on the forehead, chin, cheeks, upper lip, or nose, may signal a condition called melasma.
For other people, melasma can last for years or even for the rest of their lives. If melasma does not fade over time, a person can seek treatment to help remove or fade the patches.
Melasma is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy, because it is sometimes triggered by an increase in hormones in pregnant women. But while the condition may be common among pregnant women, it isn’t limited to them.
TREATMENT OPTIONS:
CAUSES: Doctors do not fully understand why melasma occurs. It may be due to the malfunction of the melanocytes (the color-making cells) in the skin, causing them to produce too much color. As a result, people with darker skin tones are more likely to develop melasma, as they have more melanocytes than people with lighter skin.
POTENTIAL TRIGGERS: Changes in hormones during pregnancy
(chloasma), hormone treatment, or while taking birth control pills, heat, sun exposure, certain skin care products, if they irritate a person’s skin.
Also, there may be a genetic component to melasma, as people whose close relatives have experienced melasma are more likely to develop it themselves.
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However, not all treatments work for everyone and melasma may come back even after successful treatment. 1. Hidroquinone is a prescription cream that will help lighten the patches. Apply directly on the dark areas at night and protect your skin during the day. 2. Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and light therapy will reduce the pigment discoloration on the skin. 3. Avoiding the known triggers such as: · Unprotected light exposure - wear mineral SPF indoors and outdoors, · Heat lamps, cellphones, blow driers or steam, hot beverages, long showers and saunas, aviator sunglasses or any sunglasses with a metal frame as they absorb and dissipate heat on your cheeks and eye area, · Irritating skin care products, especially fragranced products. Fragrance is highly irritating and mixed with sun it could cause “PHOTO DERMATITIS. Sources: Harvard Health, Medical News Today
Eliana has over 20 years of experience in skin care. She is the owner of Refinery21 Aesthetique and she is always available for free consultations. Email her with any skin care related questions at eliana@refinery21studio.com
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