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Melasma
These lectures are not meant to replace your physician and are simply provided as
a free educational service to all our visitors. If you feel that you have a
skin problem, please see your doctor.
Melasma has many names... "chloasma", "mask of pregnancy" or "the pill's
pigmentation". Melasma is characterized by tan patches of irregular
pigmentation found on the cheeks, chin, forehead and neck. Although it commonly
occurs for no good reason (idiopathic), causes include pregnancy, birth control
medication, sun exposure, genetics, and rarely, pituitary disorders. For this
reason, a dermatologist should evaluate melasma patients.
Treatment is directed at lightening the discolorations. Effective products,
such as Glyderm lotion, MD Forte lotion and Skinstore.com's Renew, make use of
glycolic acid to effectively lighten pigment irregularities. It appears that
when any of these products are used in conjunction with bleaching agents, such
as Skinstore.com's Fade or MD Forte bleaching gel, results are more likely.
Sunscreen, such as Skinstore.com' s Protect or Glyderm Super Sunblock 25,
should always be used for patients with melasma as sun exposure may worsen the
condition. In some cases of melasma, however, the pigment may be so deep that
even topical glycolics combined with bleaching agents may be ineffective.
In those cases where melasma persists despite topical glycolics and bleaching
agents, then the most helpful way to cosmetically treat it is with cosmetic
cover ups. The best products on the market are Dermablend cosmetics. These
products have been recommended by dermatologists for many years because they
are easy to apply and are excellent for matching skin tones to hide pigment
irregularities. Dermablend is available at SkinStore.com.
For more on Common Skin Disorders,
click here.
For more topics, click here.
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