Melasma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Melasma is a term used to describe a skin condition in which pigmentation forms from light brown to dark brown, or grayish in color. This condition is also known as chloasma.
Melasma is often found on sun-exposed areas of the skin, especially on the face. This condition is common in women, especially those who have dark skin and live in areas with lots of sunlight.
Symptom
Melasma appears as areas that are darker than the surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation) or brown spots on the skin. This area has no complaints of itching or pain. However, it can affect a person’s appearance. There are three patterns of distribution of melasma, namely:
- Centrofacial: affects the forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip and chin
- Malar: affects the cheeks and nose
- Mandibular: affects the mandibular area
Although rare, it is possible for melasma to be found on the neck and forearms.
Reason
The exact cause that triggers melasma is not known. However, it’s likely that this condition is related to the melanocytes (cells that give skin its color) that produce too much color.
In people with dark skin, melanocyte cells are more active than those with light skin. This causes those with dark skin to be more susceptible to developing melasma.
Melasma has a genetic predisposition. This does not mean that melasma will necessarily be passed from parents to children. However, those with a family history of melasma are also more likely to develop melasma.
There are several factors that are known to trigger melasma, namely:
- Sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) light in sunlight is known to stimulate melanocytes. Sun exposure can make melasma worse, or cause melasma that has disappeared to reappear or recur.
- Hormonal changes. For example during pregnancy, use of hormonal contraception, hormone replacement therapy, and so on. This makes women more susceptible to developing melasma. Choasma is the term to describe melasma during pregnancy.
- Skincare products. Products that irritate the skin can make melasma worse.
Diagnosis
Generally, melasma is easy to recognize by paying attention to the distribution of areas that have excessive pigmentation on the parts of the body that are prone to being affected (usually the face). You can use a tool called Wood’s light to see the depth of melasma from the surface of the skin. To help rule out other diagnoses, a skin biopsy may be performed.
Treatment
Melasma can be difficult to get rid of completely. Often, causal factors also need to be considered before deciding to take treatment. For example, melasma caused by pregnancy usually gets better on its own within a few months after delivery. In this case, treatment is not really needed.
Some of the treatments that may be offered to you to help deal with melasma complaints include:
- Hydroquinone: is the main recommended melasma treatment. This drug works by brightening the skin, and is used by applying it to the part that is needed.
- Tretinoin and corticosteroids: these two drugs your doctor may prescribe to help lighten the skin. Generally used in conjunction with
- Other topical medications, eg azelaic acid or kojic acid
- Procedure: generally considered if giving drugs does not help overcome complaints of melasma. Several types of procedures that can be offered are chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, laser treatment, and so on.
Keep in mind that it is important that the treatment you take is adjusted to your needs and skin type. Immediately contact the doctor who treats you, if after taking the treatment symptoms of skin irritation appear, discoloration of the skin becomes darker, and other changes.
One of the main things to remember in the treatment and prevention of melasma is to avoid sun exposure. Don’t forget to use sunblock every day, and it’s best to reapply it every two hours. The use of a hat, especially a wide-sized hat is also good for preventing sun exposure.