Understanding Melasma: The Problems

The skin is the largest organ that you have. Now that we know a medical fact, let’s go on about its aesthetic importance. Our skins are what we wear, essentially and quite literally, which is why, any flaw in the skin is bound to affect us physically and emotionally. In terms of flaws, patches are perhaps the last things we want on our skin, right.

When your skin has good health, it glows, and the feeling is great indeed. It makes you feel confident and adds appeal to your beauty. When you’re unhappy with your skin health, it lowers your self-confidence and attitude that takes you a long way into trying ways to treat the skin condition you have.

Of all the skin conditions, melasma is the most common skin condition. Although it sounds like a simple skin problem, it can affect a person psychologically to a large extent.

Here’s what melasma is: Clinical information

Melasma is commonly called the “mask of pregnancy,” when it occurs in pregnant women. Although men also can get it, melasma is a skin condition which is much more prevalent among women than in men.

Melasma is a skin condition that has skin pigmentation caused due to the overproduction of melanin in the body that gets deposited in the dermis (skin layer). There is a genetic predisposition for melasma, with almost one-third of the patients reporting about family members with this melasma. Melasma is seen to be a chronic skin condition in most people.

Symptoms of Melasma

Melasma causes brown to greyish-brown patches on:

• The forehead
• Cheeks
• Nose bridge
• Chin
• Above the upper lip

It also appears in other parts of the body that is usually overexposed to the sun – the neck and the forearms.

Causes and Risk Factors of Melasma

Some studies also report that the hormones oestrogen and progesterone sensitivity play a significant role in causing melasma.

• Melasma can occur due to hormone fluctuations during pregnancy, or in case of taking birth control medication.
• Stress and thyroid imbalances are also known to be common causes of melasma.

So what happens to your skin when you have melasma?

Let’s have a look at the problems associated with melasma.

• Like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma occurs due to the dysfunction of the cells produced by the melanin pigment.
• Irregular greyish brown spots occur on the skin, especially on the face.
• The skin also looks pale and lifeless.
• Extreme sensitivity to light and heat.
• Sunburns can become a common thing in people with melasma.
• The skin also becomes fragile and prone to allergies.
• Melasma is also known as the ‘mask of pregnancy’, as it usually occurs due to the hormonal fluctuations.

Skin specialists also believe that melasma can be stress-induced, since the release of melanin is controlled by hormones which easily get influenced by stress.

People affected with melasma might fall prey to depression due to stress and loss of self-confidence.

Sun exposure is the main trigger to worsen melasma. Since the skin becomes extra sensitive with melasma, it becomes all the more important to always have a sun blocking lotion with you.

Melasma Treatment: An Overview

Melasma treatments have advanced over the last two decades with laser treatments, and many other skin improvement medications.

• The other popular melasma treatments include glycolic peels, medications and trichloroacetic acid peels.
• Melasma treatment requires taking a course of either oral medication, laser sittings, or chemical peels etc.
• The treatment might be prolonged or slow in response, especially if the skin condition has been untreated for a long time.
• Melasma treatments are effective and can produce irritation to the skin in people who have sensitive skin.
• If the irritation does not subside, it is important to address the issue before it turns into post-inflammatory pigmentation.
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation occurs mostly if some treatments don’t suit the patient’s skin type.

Devices used in melasma treatment

The ideal melasma treatment involves destroying the overproduced pigment in the skin. Destroying the pigment is usually not possible because it is a natural occurrence and can only be reduced. Your dermatologist will explain how treatments react to your skin, based on the skin type you have, and recommend what best suits you.

Here are some machines and devices that are used by most dermatologists for melasma treatments:

• Intense pulsed light (IPL)
• Carbon dioxide or erbium: YAG
• Fractional lasers
• Resurfacing lasers
• Q-switched Nd: YAG lasers
• Mechanical dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are also common methods used in melasma treatment.

If you have similar symptoms and are feeling shy to speak up about it if you feel depressed about how dark patches on your skin make you look, you certainly need not worry!

Walk-In, or call us to get a consultation. With the best melasma treatment and solutions for all other skin conditions, we are at your service.

ABOUT COSMOSURE CLINIC

‘CosmoSure’ is a renowned a cosmetic surgery clinic in Hyderabad, which is considered to be the meeting point for science & art. Established in the year 2015, CosmoSure, cosmetic surgery clinic has been one of the most preferred cosmetic clinics in Hyderabad. All the procedures at Cosmosure clinic are a blend of a skilled & artistic touch. Our specialists are trained with in-depth knowledge of aesthetic science and symmetry to help individuals to improve their skin health.