Dr. Rashmi Sarkar busting some interesting facts related to Melasma and also highlights important treatment which should be done in case of Melasma
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a pigmentary disorder of the skin which appears as brown patches on the face of adults. Both sides of the face, especially the cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead, and upper lip, are involved. Some patients may have mild involvement in just a few of the above areas. This condition is very common, particularly those with darker skin types. Melasma is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy, because it is sometimes triggered by an increase in hormones in pregnant women.
What are the causes of Melasma?
The cause of melasma is complex; it has been proposed to be a photoageing disorder in genetically predisposed individuals. The pigmentation ultimately results from the overproduction of melanin by melanocytes (pigment cells); either taken up by keratinocytes (epidermal melanosis) and/or deposited in the dermis (dermal melanosis, melanophages).
Hormones (including hormonal medications).
Fluctuations in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why it commonly occurs during pregnancy. Melasma may also occur when you either start or stop hormonal contraception, including birth control pills, or when you take hormone replacement therapy.
Sun exposure.
The sun is the big culprit in triggering melasma. Melasma can be caused or worsened by not only the sun's rays, but also heat and visible light. This means that even sunscreens that protect against skin cancer aren't enough to ward off melasma. This makes treating melasma a challenge, particularly in the summer months.
Medications and scented products
New targeted therapies for cancer and perfumed soaps, toiletries, and cosmetics may cause a phototoxic reaction to trigger melasma
Issued in Public Interest by Oaknet Healthcare
What are the treatments for Melasma?
The treatments for Melasma
What are the different types of Melasma?
Depending on the level of increased melanin in the skin. Melasma can be separated into epidermal, dermal, and mixed types
Epidermal melasma is defined by:
Dermal melasma is defined by:
Mixed melasma is the most common type, and is defined by:
Myths about Melasma
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