Do you have dark and discolored patches on your skin? Then this might be melasma. This is a condition wherein the skin gets uneven color with patches. This can be so uncomfortable and may sometimes lead to lower self-esteem and self-confidence. However, you don’t need to hide in this skin condition. Having enough knowledge about this particular condition can be very beneficial. Furthermore, the treatments for melasma is also an important thing to learn. So, if you want to know more about it, then feel free to continue reading on to this article.
Melasma: What is this condition?
Chloasma or melasma is a condition in the skin wherein a certain area or part of the skin becomes darker than that of its surrounding skin. mainly, it occurs in the face, commonly in the areas of the chin, upper lip, forehead, and cheekbones. The color of the skin changes to brown, blue-gray, or even tan –and take note, it may happen rapidly.
The condition most commonly affects women who are pregnant. Its main causes are the hormonal imbalance or changes, genetic predilection, and the sun exposure as well. in fact, the appearance of melasma in the skin can be a big indication that you are more prone to having a skin cancer –mainly because of the sun exposure.
Actually, there is a difference between the two terms, melasma, and chloasma. Chloasma is the dark patches in the period of pregnancy and is also called, the mask of pregnancy. This remains of the body, till pregnancy lasts.
Melasma in Men
Even though girls are more prone to the condition, it is still possible for men to suffer from the condition. approximately about 90 percent of the melasma cases, women are the victims. This is because they are much highly sensitive to the hormonal change. Thus, they define melasma is for women alone. However, for those men who work outside and are exposed to the sun for a very long period of time, melasma is a condition that they must check as well. so, regardless of gender, all (male or female) must be conscious enough with their skin.
Types of Melasma
There are actually three (3) main types of the condition, the mixed, dermal, and the epidermal melasma.
- Mixed melasma: this type of melasma actually includes both the epidermal and the dermal layer of the skin.
- Dermal melasma: this mainly affects the dermis layer of the skin. The dermis, as we know is the secondary and the slightly lower layer of the skin.
- Epidermal melasma: this affects the epidermal layer of the skin. The epidermal layer is the outermost layer of the cells of the skin.
Melasma: What causes this condition?
Here are some of the most common causes of the condition:
- Hormonal fluctuations: this is one of the main causes of the appearance of melasma in pregnant women. This is since they have hormonal fluctuations, which may flare up the condition.
- Genetic predilection: genes may also have an effect on the onset of the condition.
- Sun exposure: when the harmful radiation penetrates the cells of the skin, it may cause an effect on the cells that create pigment in the body, causing the appearance of melasma.
- Thyroid disease: the body being unable to create or regulate proper hormone levels may cause the appearance of melasma.
- Stress: having any fluxes in the stress levels may cause an impact on the hormonal levels of the body, which may, in turn, cause the appearance of melasma on the face.
Symptoms of Melasma
Some of the most common symptoms of melasma include dark spots on the skin, most especially in the face. There are some patches on the skin of the face, including the upper lip, chin, forehead, cheekbones, nose bridge, and any other parts of the face. Though there is a big possibility in developing melasma on the forearms or in the neck, some other areas that come in contact with the sun still aren’t safe. All of these patches of discolored skin are actually just symptoms of melasma.
Treatments for Melasma
Here are some of the best treatments for melasma:
Topical steroids. There are some types of topical steroids that can be directly applied to the skin to stimulate its proper balance.
Skin-lightening creams. There are some creams available on the market that are effective in lightening the skin. this will help you in blending the darker spots to the surrounding areas. This isn’t actually effective for the dermal type of melasma, but it may help in reducing the appearance of it.
Cosmetic procedure. Dermabrasions or some chemical peels are effective in reducing the appearance of melasma. Particularly, this treatment is effective on the epidermal type of melasma. This is since it only affects the outermost layer of the skin, which are the parts that are being removed from the skin by this procedure.
