Melasma

Melasma also known as chloasma is a brownish discoloration of the face which happens most often in women. It is a very common skin disorder. The actual cause of melasma is unknown. Men can also prone this problem. The evidences of melasma are dark, irregular patches commonly found on the upper cheek, nose, lips, upperlip, and forehead. These patches often develop eventually over time.

It is often related with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is especially gradual in pregnant women, women who are taking oral contraceptives. People having a family history of melasma are more prone to develop melasma themselves. Both sides of the face are usually affected.

The most common sites of embrangle are the cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead, and upper lip. A variation in hormonal status may trigger melasma. Melasma is rare before puberty and most commonly happens in women during their reproductive years. Persons of any race can be affected.

However, it is much more common in intrinsically darker skin types than in lighter skin types, and it may be more common in light brown skin types, especially Hispanics and Asians, from areas of the world with intense sun exposure. Melasma generally fades after pregnancy or when an oral contraceptive is discontinued. People with melasma can use sunscreens on the dark patches and avoid sun exposure to prevent the condition from getting worse.

The dark spots generally go away by themselves - however, this process can take a very long time. The prevalence of melasma also increases in patients with thyroid disease. It is believed that the overrun of melanocyte-stimulating hormone brought on by stress can cause outbreaks of this condition. Within a patch of melasma, pigment producing cells (called melanocytes) are increased in number and each melanocyte produces more pigment (called melanin).

Birth control pills may also cause melasma, however, hormone replacement therapy used after menopause has not been shown to cause the condition. Increased melanin in the skin furthers to the tan or brown coloration. Genetic predisposition may make one more credulous to melasma, and dysfunction of the thyroid may also increase susceptibility. As melasma is common, and has a featuristic appearance on the face, most patients can be diagnosed simply by a skin examination.

Melasma generally fades after pregnancy or when an oral contraceptive is discontinued. Skin-bleaching creams containing hydroquinone and retinoic acid can help lighten the dark patches. A conjunction of tretinoin cream and a bleaching cream containing hydroquinone may be helpful in fading some types of melasma. In serious cases, laser treatment for melasma can be used to remove the dark pigment. For temporary help, melasma make up can be used.

Causes of Melasma

The common causes and risk factor's of Melasma include the following:

Female sex hormones.
A family history of melasma.
Sun exposure is also a strong risk factor for melasma.
Birth control pills may also cause melasma.
Young women with brownish skin tones are at greatest risk.

Symptoms of Melasma

Some sign and symptoms related to Melasma are as follows:

Tan, dark brown patches.
Irregular in shape.
Symmetrically distributed on the forehead, cheeks, and sides of the nose.
These patches often develop gradually over time.

Treatment of Melasma

Here is list of the methods for treating Melasma:

Hydroquinone 4% cream (available by prescription) applied to the face twice a day (in the morning before applying sun screen and later in the day) is the main treatment for melasma.
A combination of tretinoin cream and a bleaching cream containing hydroquinone may be helpful in fading some types of melasma.
Other medications that have been available to help melasma are azelaic acid and kojic acid.
Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical peels with glycolic acid.
Retin-A cream applied to the entire face each night before bed has been shown to be an effective treatment for melasma.
Laser treatment is the another treatment for melasma.

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