Ways to Prevent Melasma

The most common type of skin disorder called Melasma usually affects women, although men could be affected as well. It is characterized by the appearance of brown patches or dark spots around the face, often symmetrical and evenly distributed. Excessive sun exposure is the common predisposing factor since it stimulates the melanocytes on the skin resulting to skin pigmentation. Melasma is commonly seen on areas with tropical climates.
Melasma is often seen on the prominent areas of the face such as the cheekbones, forehead and upper lip but it can also appear on other areas like the lower cheeks, nose, chin and sides of the neck. Although Melasma is completely harmless and is not anyway related to any types of disease; its unsightly appearance is of great concern. Melasma prevention can be done starting by protecting your face against the harmful rays of the sun.
Prevention is always better than cure. Melasma cannot be exactly prevented from happening but there are ways of minimizing your chances of getting it. Since sun exposure has been seen to be a big contributing factor in the occurrence of Melasma, daily sunscreen use and sun avoidance is still seen to be the best prevention tips. Wearing a good sunscreen is your best defense against Melasma.
A good sunscreen is determined by its strength and measured by SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Keep in mind that within minutes of sun exposure the UV rays can rapidly stimulate melanocyte on the skin which is the primary culprit to the development of Melasma that is why wearing broad spectrum, high SPF sunscreen daily even when you are at home is highly recommended. Avoid the use of products that can make your skin sensitive to the sun, usually known as photosensitivity. Use of certain drugs can also result to side effects that might increase your skin's sensitivity, so you should be aware of these drugs and avoid using them.
Sometimes, the simplest preventive measure is often overlooked. The use of a hat, umbrella and other things that can help shield you against the sun is an easy and conventional way of Melasma prevention. Covering yourself up is a good way of minimizing the effects of UV rays to the skin. It will help you protect your skin to be in direct contact with the sun. The less contact you have with the UV rays, the most unlikely you'll get to have Melasma.
In case of hormone triggered Melasma, discontinue the use of birth control pills. Female hormones estrogen and progesterone have been associated to the occurrence of hyperpigmentation. Prevalence is seen on pregnant women, a type of Melasma that is usually termed as mask of pregnancy. Further prevention isn't really needed in this type of Melasma since it will fade away after the course of the pregnancy and is usually not permanent.
It is important to arm yourself with knowledge of melasma and how to treat the condition as well. http://www.melacor.net/ has some informative ways to treat it naturally, as well as an interactive forum.
You can certainly follow these simple ways of Melasma prevention but results cannot be guaranteed. On a brighter note, even if Melasma is less likely to be prevented, you can definitely do something to minimize it. Just remember to use sunscreen constantly and continuously. Indeed, sun protection is still the most effective way of Melasma prevention. Always protect yourself from excessive sun exposure since it is the main predisposing factor that causes over produced melanocytes on the skin to be stimulated resulting to skin hyperpigmentation.