Causes of Melasma

Scientists are still wondering on the exact causes of melasma. Since this is a condition rather than a disease it has been difficult for the researchers to pinpoint the causes. The views are divided among many but still there are some common grounds where the researchers have stood upon firmly.

Pregnancy, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, these three are the undisputed causes to which all have consented. Pregnancy is the primary cause of melasma because of the rapid and constant hormonal changes that takes place when one is expecting. Medical science says that the body of pregnant women experience three different types of hormones, namely estrogen, progesterone and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. As per medical studies, progesterone is found more responsible for pregnancy related melasma than estrogen and MSH. Similarly studies have also revealed that postmenopausal women receiving progesterone hormone replacing therapy are detected more with this condition than their estrogen counterparts.

Uncontrolled sunlight exposure is considered the major cause of melasma for those who are not pregnant and have a genetic predisposition to this condition. Sunlight is responsible for this dark pigmentation, the UV rays present in sunlight cause to release excess melanin that results in melasma. Even though these are shouted as the major causes actually the exact cause behind melasma is still not found. Scientists in their lab are working harder day and night to reveal the truths behind this condition.

A research has shown that the incidence of melasma are the highest in summer whereas in winter the numbers are lower. Also those women with a light brown complexion and living in regions with intense sun exposure are more vulnerable to this condition. This is because when the skin is exposed to sunlight, more melanin pigments are produced by the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. An interesting fact is that the possibility of melasma is higher in patients with thyroid disease. This condition is also prevalent among those who take high stress due to the over secretion of melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). Melasma is also detected rarely in cases of allergic reaction to medications and cosmetics.

There are many other secondary causes of melasma that are widely debated. These include several factors like family history of melasma, race, antiseizure medications and other medications that make the skin more susceptible to pigmentation due to the direct exposure to ultraviolet rays. Anyway the causes of melasma are certainly not limited within a periphery.

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