There is a chronic skin condition called melasma.There are brown, tan, or blue-gray patches along the upper cheeks, upper lip, forehead, and chin.The most effective and long- lasting treatments aim to reduce or eliminate the causes of melasma.Many women experience melasma during their pregnancies and the condition will generally improve after the baby is born.
Step 1: See your doctor.
Before going to see a dermatologist, talk to your primary care physician about any hormonal medication changes and creams you can try for melasma.Treatment for melasma may not be covered by your insurance.Before you schedule any treatments or procedures, you should know the costs.
Step 2: It's possible to stop taking medications.
Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can affect hormones.If you want to stop these medications, talk to your doctor.Melasma has been known to occur with medications and conditions that impact your hormones, even though pregnancy is the condition most commonly associated with it.Hormonal replacement therapy and oral contraceptives are the most common causes of melasma.If your melasma will fade naturally after you stop using it, you can switch to a different product.
Step 3: You should change your hormone replacement therapy.
It is difficult to stop hormone replacement therapy.To find out if you can stop or adjust the dose of hormone replacement therapy, consider why you are on it.You can change your therapy to make it less likely to cause melasma.You should consult with your doctor before making any changes.Take hormones at night.The risk of melasma is maximized by taking the hormone replacement in the morning when the sun is out.The problem can be alleviated if you shift your regimen to the night.Creams and patches are less likely to cause melasma than oral versions of the treatment.Ask your doctor to give you the lowest possible dose.
Step 4: You can get a prescription hydroquinone cream from your doctor.
While some treatments containing this ingredient can be purchased over-the-counter, your dermatologist or primary care physician can prescribe a stronger version that will be more effective at lightening the skin.It is a cream, lotion, gel, or liquid.It works by blocking the natural chemical process in your skin that creates melanin, and since it produces dark skin color, the amount of melasma will be reduced.There is a 4 percent concentration of prescription hydroquinone.Concentrations of hydroquinone higher than 4 percent are not likely to be prescribed in the United States.Ochronosis is a form of skin discoloration.
Step 5: Discuss a second skin lightener with your doctor.
While hydroquinone is used as a first treatment in many cases, your dermatologist might be willing to prescribe a secondary skin lightener that can help enhance the effect.Steroids are among the most frequently used secondary treatments.They are used to speed up the process of getting rid of skin cells."Triple creams," which contain hydroquinone, a corticosteroid, and tretinoin in one formula, may be prescribed by some dermatologists.Azelaic acid or kojic acid slows down the production of skin-darkening pigment.
Step 6: There is a chemical peel.
A chemical peel is a procedure used to remove the melasma affected top layer of skin.A mild chemical burn is created when the liquid chemical is applied to the skin.Fresh, melasma-free skin is left behind when the burned layers peel off.If you have not treated the underlying hormonal imbalances, this won't prevent melasma.One of the most common options used is glycolic acid, but there is another option called trichloroacetic acid.Peels done with this chemical can be slightly more painful, but they may be a good option for severe cases of melasma.
Step 7: Discuss the use oficrodermabrasion and dermabrasion.
The top layer of skin is gradually stripped away, leaving clean, melasma-free skin in its place.Both dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are medical procedures that remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.Fine crystals are vacuumed during microdermabrasion.These crystals can be used to remove dead skin cells and lift the affected skin.You can get about five procedures done in a couple of weeks.If the underlying cause of your melasma has not been treated, you may choose to have a maintenance treatment every four to eight weeks.
Step 8: You should be careful with lasers.
Some laser treatments can help remove the skin affected by melasma, but some can make the mask worse.If it is administered by a professional, you can get a laser treatment.You should look for a dual laser that only targets the surface of the skin.You will probably need three to four treatments over the course of 3-6 months.
Step 9: Try treatment with blood.
Blood is injected into the body to encourage recovery.It is an experimental recovery.According to early evidence, it might be possible to treat melasma and prevent it from recurring.
Step 10: Protect your skin from the sun.
If you want to protect your skin from the sun, apply broad spectrum sunscreen.The risk of current melasma getting worse may be reduced by doing so.Before you go out in the sun, apply sunscreen.Adding zinc to a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will benefit your skin.You could also try double sun screening.You can layer an SPF 15 sunscreen on top of the SPF 30 sunscreen to get even more protection.You can provide your face with additional protection by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and large sunglasses.If your melasma is bad, you might want to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
Step 11: It's time to calm down.
If a hormonal imbalance is the cause of your melasma, finding ways to stress less can help.If you can't relax, try yoga or meditation.If these don't appeal to you, just make time for more things you enjoy, such as walking through the park, reading, or taking a bubble bath.
Step 12: You can find an over-the-counter hydroquinone cream.
These creams lighten the skin and cause melasma to fade.It is a cream, lotion, gel, or liquid.It works by blocking the natural chemical process in your skin that creates melanin, and since it produces dark skin color, the amount of melasma will be reduced.If you want to protect your skin while treating it for melasma, you can use hydroquinone creams that contain a little sunblock.The average concentration of nonprescription hydroquinone creams is 2 percent.
Step 13: Try a cream with cysteamine.
cysteamine is safe and proven to treat melasma.L-cysteine metabolism in the human body is the natural product of cysteamine.It protects against ionizing radiation and is an antimutagenic agent.Depigmentation can be produced by the inhibition of melanin and the synthesis of cysteamine.
Step 14: You can use a cream with kojic acid or melaplex.
Both ingredients are skin lighteners, but they are less harsh than hydroquinone.The production of skin-darkening pigmentation is slowed by these ingredients.New skin cells will be less dark, making it harder for melasma to set in.
Step 15: Take it.
This type of vitamins increases the rate at which your skin sheds dead cells.The patches of melasma can fade faster with this help.If the underlying cause has not been fixed, this alone may not cure your melasma.If your new skill cells are affected, the affected skin will shed quicker.
Step 16: You can try paper mulberry.
As long as you follow the instructions on the product, the extract or products containing it can be used to treat melasma.
Step 17: Try otherholistic treatments.
Bearberry, mandelic acid, lemon peel extract, apple cider vinegar, and Vitamin C are some of the ingredients that can be used on your skin.
Step 18: Wait a second.
When the pregnancy is over, your melasma will pass.It will be more likely in subsequent pregnancies.There are cases of melasma that can last longer and require more active treatment.