|What is melasma|: A blog that talks about this skin condition.
Melasma is a skin pigmentation disorder that affects women of all ages. It is characterized by blotchy, dark brown or grayish-brown skin discoloration most commonly found on the cheeks, nose, forehead, upper lip and chin. Melasma is also known as “chloasma” or the “mask of pregnancy” because of its prevalence in pregnant women. However, men (especially those with darker skin) can also develop melasma.
As far as what causes melasma goes, the research is not conclusive. However, it is clear that exposure to the sun plays a role in melasma development. It has also been linked to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels due to pregnancy, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms.
The most effective treatment for melasma is sunscreen and sun protection. The darker the skin color and the more severe the melasma, the more important it is to protect your skin from UV radiation. Additionally, you should wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats to keep your face shaded whenever possible.
|What is melasma|: A blog that talks about this skin condition.
Melasma is a condition of dark patches on facial skin. It is also called chloasma, when pregnant women get these dark patches on the face. The word melasma comes from the Greek words melas which means black and masa which means mass. The condition is common in women but it can affect men too. It usually appears gradually, in middle aged people especially those with darker skin tones. Melasma can be hereditary – if you have a family history of the condition, then you are at risk. If you have thyroid problems, then you may also develop melasma.
Melasma is a skin condition that causes dark to gray-brown patches on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.
Melasma is more common in women, especially during pregnancy. Pregnant women often call melasma “the mask of pregnancy.” It may also be linked to birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.
It’s not clear what causes melasma. But it does seem to run in families, so genes may be a cause. Sun exposure seems to make it worse, so protecting your skin from the sun may help prevent it or keep it from getting worse.
Treating melasma is hard, but there are things you can do to lighten the dark patches:
Use sunscreen every day. Look for one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays (broad-spectrum) and has an SPF 30 or higher. Put it on before you go outside — even in winter — and reapply every 2 hours or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, along with a wide
Melasma is a skin condition that causes brown patches to appear on the face, usually in areas exposed to the sun.
Melasma is also called chloasma when it occurs in pregnant women and is sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy.” The mask of pregnancy is more common in women with darker skin tones, such as African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian, Southern European, and Middle Eastern women.
Melasma may be triggered by hormonal changes caused by pregnancy or birth control pills. It may also occur during hormone replacement therapy (HRT). After pregnancy, melasma often fades on its own but may last for several years.
Melasma is more common in women than men. While melasma can occur at any age, it most often affects women 20 to 50 years old.
What is Melasma?
Melasma, also known as chloasma, is a condition that causes brown to gray-brown patches on the skin. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.
The dark patches of melasma are very common in pregnant women (known as the “mask of pregnancy”). This is because an increase in certain hormones can cause an increase in pigment (melanin). This can happen with birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy as well. People with darker skin tones tend to develop melasma more often than those with lighter skin tones.
Melasma may go away after pregnancy but sometimes it lasts longer. For some women, it may never go away. Other factors that contribute to melasma include sun exposure, genetics, thyroid disease, and inflammation within the skin (dermatitis).
Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation disorder of the skin. It is characterized by symmetrically distributed brown or gray-brown patches.
The cause of melasma has not been definitively determined, but it is known that both estrogen and progesterone stimulate melanocytes (cells in the epidermis that produce melanin) to increase melanin production when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, melasma frequently appears or worsens during pregnancy, with use of oral contraceptives, or with use of hormone replacement therapy.**
Melasma is often referred to as the “pregnancy mask” because it frequently occurs in pregnant women. However, many women suffer from this skin condition even when they are not pregnant. The sun can also play a role in causing melasma. It can affect women of all races and ages, but it is most common among women who have dark brown or olive skin tones.
Melasma symptoms include light-brown patches on the cheeks, ears, forehead, nose, chin and upper lip. Melasma can affect both sexes but is most common in women during pregnancy and sometimes after taking birth control pills. People with darker complexions are at greater risk for developing this condition.
The exact cause of melasma is unknown. Research suggests that estrogens from birth control pills or pregnancy may trigger the condition by stimulating melanocytes. Sunlight may also play a role by stimulating pigment production in melanocytes. Some women may be more sensitive to sunlight than others; therefore, some can develop melasma due to sun exposure while others will not.
To help treat melasma, dermatologists recommend that you:
Wear sunscreen daily with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays