Melasma facts: What it is and how to remove it
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The melasma facts
Melasma occurs as a result of excess melanin production in skin cells. The reason for this is not real clear, but scientists say there are several factors including sun damage and estrogen levels.
Melasma often occurs in women--particularly pregnant women--and appears on the face as blotchy, dark spots. Sometimes melasma is mistaken for freckles or age-spots, which are essentially the same thing, however, melasma spots can be larger and much darker.
There is no magical fix for melasma, but there are several treatments and products that will improve melasma. It should also be said that protecting your skin from the sun will prevent your melasma from getting darker; but more on that later.
Bestselling melasma products on Amazon
My personal experience with melasma
Like many skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, and eczema, melasma doesn't just affect the way you look on the outside, melasma also affects how you feel inside.At times melasma can take a toll on my self-esteem and confidence because it can be difficult to cover with make-up and for some reason it is very obvious in photographs. (But I have found that CoverBlend Concealing Treatment Makeup SPF 20 Bisque
I've had melasma for a few years now and I know that it could be worse than it is, but it still makes me uncomfortable and it is something I wish I wasn't preoccupied with.
In addition to the way it makes me feel, treatments are also very expensive. There is no magic cure for melasma. All of the products and treatments I have tried made some difference, but not as much as I'd hoped.
Having said that, though, I still persevere in trying new products in the hopes that something will make a big difference.
Needless to say, I'm racking up the points at Sephora:)
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to wear your sun block.
Save the bucks, do your own chemical peel at home
Glycolic peels seem to work the best for melasma
If you want to save money, try at-home peels with products from Amazon.
The sun and melasma
When you have melasma you want to hide from the sun
Sun damage done to our skin is not always visible, but for some, that damage is apparent because of wrinkles, fine lines, and discoloration.
Melasma is visible sun damage.
When the sun's damaging rays hit the skin the cells work to produce melanin to protect the skin. Too much of this melanin and melasma forms.
It's too much to ask a melasma sufferer to stay out of the sun, but it is fair to ask that everyone wear a sun block of at least 15 spf (re-applied every four hours) and avoid direct sun light (by wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella). My favorite sunblock is Philosophy A Pigment Of Your Imagination SPF 18 because it has that spf and it works to help regenerate cell growth. In fact, it's designed especially for those with skin discoloration.
Oh, and one last thing. Heat can also trigger melasma so carrying a cooling rag or personal fan might be a good idea too.
Exfoliate for even skin tone
When you exfoliate you slough off the dead skin cells and you promote new, healthy cell regeneration. I prefer to use Freeze 24 7 IceCrystals AntiAging Prep and Polish
The big picture on melasma
What melasma looks like
Many times melasma is mistaken for freckles because they take on that same tanish brown color. However, a melasma spot will typically grow much larger than a freckle and also take on random shapes.
Melasma is not always in just one blotchy area. Sometimes it will appear on both sides of the face in a symmetrical pattern, or melasma can even take up all of the real estate on a face, which is why its sometimes called a mask.
Statistically, women of color are most often plagued by melasma, but fair-skinned women and men of all backgrounds have also been known to suffer from melasma.
The frequency among women has led doctors to research a link to estrogen. There is an obvious connection between women who are pregnant or on birth control. The good news is that the melasma often improves after pregnancy or after the pill is discontinued.
Regardless of who you are, most treatments are the same for everyone. However, if you have a dark complexion be wary of bleaching creams. Too much bleaching may make your skin discoloration worse.
Chloasma, hyperpigmentation, mask of pregnancy, discoloration...
There are many names for melasma including chloasma, mask of pregnancy, hyper pigmentation, discoloration, and others. While it can be confusing to see all these different words and spellings, rest assured that they are one in the same. Don't fear that you have multiple skin problems.
Eight skin care tips to get rid of melasma
Prevention and treatments
Getting rid of melasma is tough, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent melasma and treat melasma.
1. Drink more than enough water to purge all those toxins out of your body.
2. Protect yourself from the sun with sun block, hats, and clothing.
3. Eat and drink foods containing antioxidants such as dark colored fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants fight off free radicals in the environment (like pollution and the sun).
4. Exfoliate two to three times a week.
5. Use a topical antioxidant cream (it will contain vitamins C and E) before you apply your moisturizer and sun block.
6. Purchase a moisturizer that has ingredients designed to even skin tone.
7. Wear sun block.
8. Glycolic chemical peels are commonly used to treat melasma. It's best to see an esthetician for a chemical peel, but there are over the counter products available.
Things to do before I leave the house
1. Take my antioxidants. A supplement or eating an orange and drinking green tea will do.
2. Put on sun block.
3. Bring more sun block to reapply four hours later.
4. Pack my hat just in case.
5. Pack a pocket-sized fan to cool my face if I get warm.
Treating mask of pregnancy
With a surge of hormones, especially estrogen, melasma tends to rear its head during and right after pregnancy. Again, like the name describes, mask of pregnancy often looks like a mask because of the dark spots covering most of the face.
It's important that a pregnant or nursing woman with melasma not use any skin care products--including supplements, prescription medications, or topical products-0without talking to a doctor first. Many skin care products (even the topical products) contain a number of chemicals that could be harmful to a fetus or brand new baby.
The good news is that for many pregnant women the mask of pregnancy disappears or improves after the baby is born and hormones begin to equalize. And, once you are done nursing you can begin to use skin care products designed to treat melasma safely and effectively.
If you think you have the mask of pregnancy and you are pregnant, steer clear of the sun and protect your skin as best you can. Hats, portable fans, and sun block are necessities in treating the mask of pregnancy and they are safe methods too.
Skin care products for melasma
Try these products to improve skin tone and discoloration
Extreme melasma treatment methods
Some melasma treatments are controversial
1. Bleaching creams. By using a doctor-prescribed bleaching cream on your skin you are causing the melanin-producing cells to slow down production. This can be beneficial especially if you continue to use sun block all the time, but be wary of products that are truly poisonous. Talk to your doctor about possible side-effects and existing research. Bleaching ingredients such as hydroquinone are somewhat controversial and proven to be dangerous to pregnant women.
2. Microdermabrasion. This can be an excellent treatment for a variety of skin care problems, but melasma is often worsened by heat. I'd recommend avoiding microdermabrasion and opt for a gentler exfoliation process instead.
3. Lasers and lights. These are relatively new treatments that can be incredibly expensive. If you choose to receive these treatments, be sure to work with a dermatologist or investigate the credibility of the esthetician. Also, be wary of exorbitant prices because insurance rarely covers these expenses.
Hydroquinone - Is it skin lightener or herbicide?
Hydroquinone is a serious weapon against melasma
Hydroquinone products are gaining popularity for many melasma sufferers, however, in some regions of the world it is completely banned; like the European Union, for example.
Essentially, hydroquinone is one ingredient of many ingredients in topical skin care products like corrective creams, gels, and serums that are designed to treat melasma and other skin care conditions that cause uneven skin tone. Hydroquinone works by slowing down the production of melanin in the skin. As you know, melasma, freckles, and age spots are a result of increased melanin production.
There are conflicting reports on hydroquinone's safety so it's recommended that you ask your doctor a lot of questions before you use any of these products. Like any worthwhile skin care product, a little bit goes a long so don't over do it.
If you do choose to use a product containing hydroquinone, follow the Skin Fitness Facts list of things not to do when you are using hydroquinone.
Hydroquinone Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
It's plain and simple. If you're pregnant or nursing your infant, don't use hydroquinone under any circumstances.
Beautiful skin is not worth the risks of hydroquinone to your new baby. Besides, chances are your melasma will disappear or improve a little while after your pregnancy anyway.
Skin lightening alternatives to hydroquinone
Botanicals smell nicer and get you results
The melasma poll
Melamsa and your diet
Fight melasma with food and supplements
You can read more about incorporating vitamins and supplements into your skin care regimen on one of my other lenses "Vitamins for Healthy Skin."
- Turmeric inhibits the production off melanin in the skin. Mix turmeric with lemon to create a paste, apply to your skin, and leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse.
- Red fruits such as tomatoes and grapefruits contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant and natural sun block. By eating these foods daily, you give your skin extra protection from the sun.
- Some experts connect melasma with adrenal failure. Adrenal failure means that the the adrenal glands stop producing the hormones they are intended too. This can impact blood pressure, the body's breakdown of glucose, and more. A change in diet may be necessary if you have adrenal failure. Consider eliminating coffee and dairy products for periods of time to see if your melasma improves.
- Black currant, a berry that grows in parts of Europe and Africa, contains antioxidants and also has anti-inflammatory properties. Some take black currant supplements to fight depression and hormonal imbalances and others take black currant supplements to fight inflammation in the skin. The jury is out on whether black currant makes a difference in melasma, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to try.
Share melasma fighting tips
If you have tips, then please share. Or, you can just say hello. I'm happy you're here.
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cela
Jan 12, 2012 @ 12:22 pm | delete
- I'm 41 years old, olive skinned and have had melasma for probably ten years. It's gotten much worse in the last couple years and I've tried several different kinds of treatment over the years. It gets better in the winter and infinitely worse in the summer months, despite the fact that I use mineral sunscreen obsessively and always wear a hat. This winter I'm trying a multi-pronged approach and apply hydroquinone twice daily, a retina-A before bed and am getting a monthly 70% glycolic peel. The melasma is much, much better and I'm very happy with the results. Also, I live in Germany and haven't seen the sun in a few months so the results will be short-lived until the long, gorgeous summer days are here again. I'm probably the most photo-sensitive person I know so will have to keep up the strict regimen for as long as I live. Of course, I could always just let the melasma take over and pretend it's a whacky suntan...
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RaphaelF
Dec 3, 2011 @ 11:54 am | delete
- I have had melasma for years, and my co-worker recommended the Lady Soma Renewal Serum (which helped her sister with her melasma). I have been using it now for around three weeks.My spots are gradually fading.One is almost gone.
I use it in the morning under sunscreen-I dab the product on the spots and gently rub it in.Then put sunscreen and my make up over it.It absorbs well,smells delicate-no burning or irritation.It is not an overnight miracle-but it is working.
You will see a difference within a week or so.If it continues working I believe my spots will be gone in a few months.
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Debra
Nov 17, 2011 @ 9:46 pm | delete
- I have it and found using an Led light (hand-held) every day has smoothed wrinkles, faded broken capillaries AND diminished the blotchiness. I also use a blue green copper serum with my light. They cost about $200 or so, and well worth it.
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BreAnnaH
Aug 15, 2011 @ 7:41 pm | delete
- I spend a lot of time under the sun so it's no surprise to me (or to anyone close to me) that I've got melasma. I also used to be stubborn about applying sunblock, and now I'm paying the price. I'm aware there's no magic potion that will solve the problem, but my mom convinced me to try out a product she found online (it's called Whiterderm Spot Lightening Cream). She told me that it didn't have hydroquinone, so I gave in. So far, it's been good. I see a lightening of the spots (if you can call them that)
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Kirsten
Aug 10, 2011 @ 11:17 pm | delete
- I am a 35 year old who has been dealing with melasma for 8yrs. It grew after I had my twins 4yrs ago. Nothing really works. I work for a facial plastic surgeon and the best you can do it use expensive skin lightener regimens (for the rest of your life!) (I use Obagi-it lightens, but will never go away & def cannot stop using or will come back just as dark) and wear sunblock or hats or stay out of the sun completely! There are no laser treatments for this condition. It's terrible when you can't cover up your face. I haven't even found any makeup that will hide it naturally. Good thing I love my kids ,as everyday I look at myself in the mirror it reminds me of how where my beauty went:(
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by SaraMu
I am a writer and marketing consultant from Denver, Colorado with aspirations for universal fame as a fiction writer. more »
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