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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Melasma Diagnosis And Treatment

Melasma, also known as cholasma. Melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women. Women are affected in 90% of cases. It is commonly affecting the apples of the cheeks, the mid forehead, jawline and areas around the mouth. The cause of melasma is genetics, hormonal changes play important roles. Sun exposure is also a strong risk factor for melasma. It is particularly common in tropical climates. Women with a light brown skin type who are living in regions with intense sun exposure are particularly susceptible to developing this condition The incidence of melasma also increases in patients with thyroid disease. It is thought that the overproduction of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) brought on by stress can cause outbreaks of this condition.

Other rare causes of melasma include allergic reaction to medications and cosmetics. There are a number of treatments available for melasma. Creams containing tretinoin, kojic acid, and azelaic acid have been shown to improve the appearance of melasma. Tretinoin, an acid that increases skin cell (keratinocyte) turnover. This treatment cannot be used during pregnancy. Azelaic acid (20%), thought to decrease the activity of melanocytes. Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical peels with glycolic acid. Topical depigmenting agents, such as hydroquinone (HQ) either in over-the-counter (2%) or prescription (4%) strength Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen are key to preventing melasma. Cosmetic cover-ups can also be used to reduce the appearance of melasma.

Home Remedies of Melasma Tips

1. Cosmetics are way to hide the brown areas.

2. Before and after showering apply coconut or neem oil on your body.

3. The use of body lotions have helped to fade these areas as well in some women.

4. Add 20 drops lavender and chamomile essential oil for a cool and soothing bath.

5. Rubing lemon on your face before taking a shower and leaving it on 15 minutes before washing it off.

6. Add the lemon to cucumber juice and apply this mask just before bedtime and remove in the morning.

7. Add 20 drops of urtica urens tincture in four ounces of water and bathe the bruised area.

8. Apply cold aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar, or plantain to help heal sunburn.

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Common Treatments For Melasma: Skin Whitening Techniques

By: Judy Aulin

 

Hyperpigmentation problems begin to affect us as we age. You may begin to notice that you no longer have an even skin tone, in fact, you may have started to spot larger stains that have begun to appear on your face, hands, chest and back.

This blotchy skin can make your skin look older and even affect your own self esteem. Hyperpigmentation problems are usually caused by hormonal issues (during and after pregnancy) and by over exposure to the sun. No matter what the cause may be, most women are eager to find a solution.

When hyperpigmentation spots appear on your face it is most commonly known as melasma. Darker skinned women are the most prone to suffer this type of skin problem, however, it is more noticeable in lighter skinned individuals.

The most common types of melasma treatments usually rely on skin whitening products and procedures. These procedures strive to reduce and control the amount of melanin in each cell. The most common whitening techniques include laser treatments, chemical peels and bleaching products.

The intensity of a chemical peel can be controlled to best suit your needs, making it a great option in the treatment of melasma. The depth of a peel will depend on the chemicals used by the specialist performing the procedure. If at any moment you experience any discomfort, they specialist may use cooling agents or topical anesthetics to treat the problem.

Laser treatment will work on melasma, but it can also lead to more hyperpigmentation and even hypopigmentation problems. The results can also be inconsistent. Laser treatment is recommended more for darker skinned individuals.

Bleaching creams will help lighten the skin and are best suited to treat larger areas of skin. Bleaching creams contain a variety of different active ingredients.

Hydroquinone is one of the most popular bleaching ingredients. This ingredient can lead to problems such as irritation or permanent discoloration. However, there seem to be safer alternatives.

Azelaic acid is one such alternative that is also used in acne medication. Kojic acid and glycolic acid have also been proven to be a good alternative to hydroquinone.

Once you've undergone any of these products you should take special heed to the following precaution. Since bleaching procedures correct skin tone by eliminating melanin, our skin's natural sun block, it is important to use a strong sunscreen product. If you're not sure which SPF to use, ask your doctor to recommend one for your particular case.

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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.

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Advantages of Homemade Melasma Treatment Products

Each and every person wants a clean and radiant skin. Some spend fortunes on cosmetic products that will lighten the skin and remove all the imperfections, others spend their money on esthetic operations in the hope that their skin will look perfect. Lastly, there are people trying to fake a healthy skin by using all kinds of makeup that will cover the imperfections and leave the impression that the skin is healthy and has no scars, wrinkles or spots.

All these people are looking for a way through which they can make their skin look good. Yet, what they have not taken into consideration is the power of natural ingredients. Fruits, vegetables and products coming from animals are great sources of anti-oxidants and are rich in substances which can whiten the skin, moisturize it, attenuate the fine lines and wrinkles and give it elasticity. There are many natural ingredients which can be used in order to remove the dark spots and whiten the skin and as many reasons to start trying them.
The first reason for which you should try the natural skin whitening ingredients is the fact that they have no side effects. Because most of the ingredients with which the homemade skin whitening recipes are made are natural, and are used in our everyday diet, the human body tolerates them very well and responds positively to the ingredients they contain.

In addition to that, because you know what you put in that homemade recipe, you know if your skin will going to react negatively to it. There are certain products (fruits, vegetables, animal products) to which certain people are allergic. Exclude those ingredients from your recipes and you know you will obtain a 100% safe homemade product.

Many cosmetic creams and ointments stay long enough on the shelves for the curative properties to diminish. Because you know when exactly you have made your product (most of them must be done on the spot and used right away) you have the certainty that the product is fresh and all the active substances will be activated on your skin.

Unlike other products you can find in the stores, the homemade skin whitening products are quite cheap. They are made with products found in any kitchen so that the investment in raw material will not be too high. Any person is able to afford this type of treatment, thus even if you do not have lots on money to spend on this treatment you will still be able to carry on with it and have a white skin in only a few weeks.

Homemade skin whitening products are by far the cheapest and safest solution to the brown spots which trouble you so much. They are very effective and at the same nurture the skin, so that you will not only have a whiter skin, but a healthier one too.

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Is This Melasma?

No one likes to skin diseases disgusting. How your skin can define the feelings of self-esteem. Melasma is one of the unwanted skin conditions. Why? Because melasma is a very noticeable dark pigment in skin that is as embarrassing as beacons to warts, acne or skin. Melasma is usually located prominently in the face. Melasma is usually harmless, and the issues that most individuals with this disorder have the skin may be psychological. So ... who gets melasma? Men and women may have melasma. But about 90% of cases occur in women melasma. Pregnant women are highly susceptible to melasma because of hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. For pregnant women melasma spread in just a few months. Melasma during pregnancy is called melasma gravidarum or pregnancy mask. It is temporary and does not require treatment as long as you can be patient until it disappears by itself.

Genetics may also be part of the cause in the development of melasma. This is where the case of melasma in man enters his time studies indicate that melasma is more common in men and women of Indian heritage, Hispanic and some Europeans. Age spots are not melasma but have similar characteristics with melasma and usually occur in the elderly. The two spots can be treated with the same methods. With hormone replacement and hormone-related drugs taken may also lead to the development of melasma. A therapy that stimulates the melanocytes to make melanin can cause melasma. Excessive sun exposure can also cause melasma. We all know that the abundance of sunshine is bad for the skin. As much as I enjoy the sun, is not healthy to go overboard by over exposure to get a nice tan. In extreme cases, skin damaged by the sun can cause skin cancer also known as melanocarcinoma.

Melasma appears more pronounced on the skin. For this reason, companies have developed a range of treatment options to eliminate melasma. If you are pregnant, you should be cautious and visits with your doctor before treating any condition. You can find your doctor will tell you that it is the wisest choice to let your pregnancy-induced melasma alone. As you know, it will naturally disappear by themselves and some of these treatments can be dangerous for you or your unborn child if taken during pregnancy. The treatment of melasma cures vary from natural do-it-yourself solutions to medical solutions. Whether to seek treatment or leave the melasma alone, yes, it is your choice.

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