Discoloration of the facial skin is called Melasma, which frequently affect women during pregnancy. This dark skin discoloration effect is found on those areas of face which are frequently exposed to the sunlight. Women are mostly affected by this condition. The ration is upto 90% of cases. It is rarely found before puberty and mostly occurs in the women during their pregnancy.
The exact causes of Melasma are still unknown to Scientists. Since this disorder is not a disease, rather it is a condition; therefore the scientists and researchers have been facing difficulties to find out its causes. Scientists and researchers are divided on their views about its causes but they have firmly stood upon a few common grounds.
They are agreed upon the following three conditions which cause the Melasma:
i) Pregnancy
ii) Birth control pills
iii) Hormone replacement therapy
Swift and steady hormonal changes take place during pregnancy, therefore it is considered as the main cause of Melasma. According to medical science the pregnant women experience three different kinds of hormones during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. These hormones are Estrogen, Progesterone and Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH). Studies have also revealed that women who have received progesterone hormone replacing therapy are affected by this condition.
One of the major causes of Melasma is excessive exposure to the sunlight of those people whose genetics have natural tendency to this condition. The sunlight makes the pigmentation darker and its ultra violet rays create extra melanin which results in Melasma. Although these are termed as major causes behind Melasma, but the truth is that the 100% exact cause is still not found.
The Melasma incidents mostly occur in summer as compared to the winter. Moreover women living in the regions with extreme sunlight exposure and with light brown complexion are susceptible to this condition. The reason behind this is that female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone produce melanin pigments, when the skin exposed to intense sunlight. It is an interesting that patients with thyroid disease are more vulnerable to this condition. People who take high stress due to over secretion of Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) are also affected by this condition. It is also discovered often in cases of medication and cosmetic reactions.
Other causes of Melasma that are discussed by the Scientists and Researches are minor in nature. These include the race, region, history of Melasma in the family, constant medications and medications that make the skin vulnerable to the pigmentation of skin in the sunlight (ultra violet rays).
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Melasma or pregnancy mask is the condition in which certain spots appear on the skin. In time after they appear, these spots turn a dark brown color. Melasma is a condition only of the skin and remains on the upper part of the skin, but if it is not handled properly, it may turn into serious cancerous diseases. Although it has no relation with cancer, people take care to avoid it and apply different methods of treatment to remove them. Melasma affects most adult women who have dark brown skin. Usually, the women from Asian countries face this problem at the time of pregnancy. There are certain measures that should be taken to assist in preventing the development of melasma in the skin.
If these steps are not taken properly, it enhances the possibility of getting melasma after some years. It is better to take prevention steps before it is too late. Taking into account certain factors that are the basis of melasma can reduce the risk. The main causes of melasma include excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) sunrays, high concentration of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the blood, hereditary genes, and the excessive production of melanocyes. It is proven that the people who are often in direct sunlight have greater chances of skin diseases because UV rays are present in the light coming from the sun. These rays may affect the skin and erode it badly.
These four conditions may not affect children at young age, but it does have a bad effect on the health and skin, as they grow older. All of the above causes join together to affect the skin of the child and cause melasma disorder. There is a correlation between progesterone hormones and melasma in women. In women in menopause or those taking birth control pills, hormone increases inside the body can result in the occurrence of melasma. There are some medical treatments and home remedies available to avoid the production of skin disorders like melasma.
In the earlier age of childhood, children expose themselves to the sunrays that cause their skin to damage. The more they expose themselves to ultraviolet sunrays, the greater the tendency of melasma to occur in their life. Sunscreen is the best way of reducing the risk of melasma and it helps in managing the skin disorders effectively.
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Comparing Pyoderma Faciale With Melasma Skin Infections
Pyoderma faciale can e described as a rare form of skin infection which is accompanied by inflamed nodules and cysts and which can result in an highly inflamed skin. Just like melasma infections in some women , pyoderma faciale can occur as a result of hormonal imbalances. Pyoderma faciale just like melasma occur in women of between ages 20-40 mostly, and it is also characterized some forms of discolourations just like melasma. Prescription medications are often recommended in the treatment of pyoderma faciale. Prescription medications for pyoderma faciale may last for more than 6 months.
Pyoderma faciale infection develops similarly to acne and it is very essential to understand what the infection is, the likely risk factors that may predispose you to the infection and the several treatment options available in order for you to reduce the effect of the stress involved in its diagnosis. The outbreak of pyoderma facial often involves the development of larger nodules and cysts which are accompanied y an highly inflamed skin. Most individuals who suffer from this infection may have clear and unaffected skin prior to the outbreak. The lesions are often dispersed across the face in most cases, and touching the pus can result in severe pains to the sufferer.
Many people often confuse pyoderma faciale with acne infection breakouts, however it should be noted here that pyoderma does not affect only individuals with oily skins, as a matter of fact there are no clogged skin pores involved in the development of pyoderma faciale. The outbreak normally comes on the skin without a prior warning and before the formation of the nodules there are black heads and white heads. While melasma and acne can occur at any part of the body, pyoderma faciale often occur only on the face.
Treatments often recommended for the treatment of pyoderma faciale by dermatologists often respond to the treatment slowly. Isotretinoin is often prescribed for the treatment of pyoderma faciale . This is a kind of synthetically designed retinoid. This treatment will help fight the hormonal imbalances that may trigger the outbreaks but cannot be used to deal with the oily skin. Topical steroids can be combined with isotretinoin to form a systemic treatment that can fight inflammation or any other infection present. Systemic treatment is used to reduce the treatment period for several months. The long term use of systemic treatments pose some side effects hence you must see a dermatologist.
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Melasma is a condition that causes some areas of the skin to turn into a dark brown tan like color. Although melasma is absolutely a skin condition without depth and is only on the surface and has no relation in any way to cancer or any other serious health defects, it can be burdensome on the people that get it when they have to live with this condition on a daily basis.
It is mostly adult women who mostly get affected and women who have brown skin, mostly Asians and Latinas have a higher risk although there is the possibility of children developing melasma. Being a parent there are many preventative measures that you will need to undertake in order to assist your child so that the chances of them developing melasma as they get older is greatly increased.
On the other hand, there are many factors that might enhance the possibility of your child getting melasma when they get older if you do not take some steps to arrest that possibility. The risk is there but the chance of making the possibility of that risk lesser is also there.
There are four main causes of melasma. The first is when you get exposed excessively to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The second is a high circulating blood concentration of hormones estrogen and progesterone. Thirdly, you might find that this condition is hereditary and as such you will have a predisposition to get melasma skin disorder. Finally, you might use a skin care product which ends up irritating your skin and causing an excessive production of melanchocytes which are skin pigmentation producing cells.
The above causes don’t mainly bring about the development of melasma in children but their effects might do so later in life. It is the cumulative effects of these causes that might make a child become susceptible to melasma disorder. There is a very strong link between female hormones estrogen and progesterone and melasma. When there is an advancement of these hormones due to hormone replacement therapy in menopause, due to pregnancy or because of using birth control pills, then there is a greater tendency for melasma to occur. There are additionally some medications, especially anti-seizure medications or cosmetics that might make the skin more susceptible to the sensitivity to the effects of ultraviolet light.
It is believed that 80% of the sun damage that will occur in your life will take place in the first 18 years of your life although it might be decades before that damage begins to manifest as melasma. Reducing the risk of melasma can only be done effectively if sunscreen is regularly used and if you can stay away fro direct sunlight. Daily sunscreen use with UVB and UVA protection that has an SPF of more than 30 is highly recommended even when you are within a building and not under direct sunlight. When going out, sunscreen with an SPF greater than 45 is recommended. Protective hats and clothes that cover you as much as possible are also highly recommended.
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Chloasma is a skin coloration predicament. People affected with it normally have a brown color and uneven flat spot noticed on the affected area. The parts of the body usually affected are the chin, nose, lip and cheeks. The symptom of chloasma is itchy growth on the surface of the skin making it irritating. It affects pregnant women who have one time or the other made use of conceptive pills and devices. It is also noticed in men, but the occurrence is more in women than their male counterpart.
Chloasma forms slowly on the surface of the skin. The causes of the disorder are attributed to excessive production of melanin pigment which can happen is several ways. Melanin pigment can be excessively produced when the skin surface is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. It can also be produced by the hormones generated by the body during the time of pregnancy or when women use conceptive pills and devices. Melanin pigment can also be produced when thyroid glands malfunctions.
Chloasma can be treated in different ways. The first method is by using relevant creams which contains chemical elements like hydroquinone and tretinoin. The chemical elements in hydroquinone have the capacity to inhibit the formation of tyrosinase which also prevents melanin from being produced. Creams should be applied with caution as it can cause side effects if it is not controlled, though applying a higher concentration will increase the efficiency. Tretinoin on the hand, works by increasing the production of collagen and by doing away with keratin on the surface of the skin. The two chemical components can be collectively used for effective result. Azelaic acid can also be used to prevent the production of melanocytes and thereby reducing melanin pigment on the surface of the skin.
Apart from using the above mentioned chemical compounds in creams and azelaic acid to treat Chloasma, chemical peel can be applied to softly get rid of the surface of the skin and thereby eliminating the skin discoloration. Before using this method for treating chloasma, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist who will be able to prescribe the right peel to use for individual’s skin type.
Other ways of treating or removing chloasma are by dermabrasion and laser therapy. All the treatment mentioned above are costly to undergo. Some of them have side effects like scars, loss of tissues etc. However, the best thing to do when chloasma is noticed on the surface of the skin is to consult a dermatologist. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating all skin pigmentation problems.
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Melasma is a skin coloration problem which is mostly common to women who are pregnant. The skin problem can also be noticed in men, but it is more prevalent among women than men. Melasma is attributed to the excessive production of melanin pigment. This can occur when contractive pill and devices are used, when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and excessive sunlight. It can also be hereditary. Melanin can be treated by the use of hydroquinone, tretinoin, azelaic acid, chemical peels and by avoiding direct sunlight without adequate protection.
Creams containing hydroquinone chemical compounds can be used on the affected area. The chemical can stop the production of tyrosinase which can lead to reduction in the manufacturing of melanin pigment. Hydroquinone can also be applied in form of alcohol solution to the areas affected with melasma. The more the quantity of hydroquinone used the more better the result generated. Although, using a higher percentage of hydroquinone that is more than 2-4% can generate adverse side effects that may be dangerous to health. Some of the side effects include loss or reduction of skin pigmentation and total darkening of the affected area.
Tretinoin can also effectively remove melasma from the skin surface. For effective and fast result, it can be merged together with hydroquinone. Tretinoin reduces excess pigmentation produced by the skin cells. Results can be noticed on the skin surface after using tretinoin for a period of six months or more. Side effects noticed with Tretinoin are itchiness of the affected area and radiosensitivity. The effects are more pronounced if higher concentration of tretinoin is used.
Another method of treating melasma is by using chemical peels. It is a common method popularly known for treating melasma. Discoveries have been made through appropriate research that using chemical peels like glycolic acid peels for treating melasma is reliable and efficient. However, to obtain better and faster results, chemical peels can be combined with bleaching creams.
Using the methods of treating melasma enumerated above will not produce effective result if the skin surface is still exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. Using sunscreens for blocking off sun rays with elements like titanium dioxide is ideal over the use of chemical blockers due to the fact that they offer better protection
Other method of removing melasma includes dermabrasion, laser rejuvenation, azelaic acid application etc. People suffering from melasma should contact their doctors for proper advice on the method of treatment to use in removing melasma.
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Most pregnant women become darker in complexion during pregnancy period. The dark skin pigmentation is known as chloasma, melasma or pregnancy mask. It can be linked to excessive production of estrogen and progesterone in women. Exposing skin surface to excessive sunlight is another cause of melasma. It is more prevalent in women than men.
Melasma is a skin disorder that can really affect women’s outlook. This is because the discoloration is normally seen on the face. It can also affect other parts of the body like the nose, forehead, brow and cheeks. This is due to the exposure of the body parts to excessive sunlight and the generation of melanin pigment during pregnancy. Research has shown that 70% of women who are pregnant are affected with melasma. It is also common to women who use contraceptive pills and devices, which can be attributed to female hormones generated when the pills are taken.
Pregnancy or melasma mask does not only affect women, but everyone that is exposed to sunlight without protection and ultraviolet rays. It can also be hereditary. However, there is hope for everyone suffering from melasma. It can be treated by protecting the body with sunscreen when exposed to sun rays. Sunscreen also prevents major skin disease like cancer and wrinkles. People who love sun bathing can also do so in the early hours of the morning when the intensity of the sun is not high. They can make use of umbrella when the intensity of the sun is very high.
Melasma can also be treated by using skin lightening creams that contains tretinoin and hydroquinone. The combinations of the two can results to effective removal of melasma from the surface of the skin. However, the concentration should be minimized as it can lead to side effects that may not be too good for the skin.
Another recommended method of treating melasma is laser technology. There are different types of laser technology in the world today, such as Fraxel Dual Laser Technology and Q-switched laser technology. It is an effective way of removing melasma permanently from the surface of the skin.
Other methods of treating melasma include: azailic acid and chemical peels. People suffering from melasma should consult their dermatologist before using any of the above methods of treating melasma. This is because they are knowledgeable about skin disorders and will be able to provide solution to melasma skin disorder.
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Melasma, also known as chloasma, is a skin coloration disorder that is prevalent among women during the pregnancy period. Men can also be affected with the skin disorder. The skin pigmentation problem can be noticed on the cheeks, upper lips and on the brow. Melasma is caused by excessive production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Exposing the skin to excessive sunlight can also cause melasma. It is normally seen as brown colored flat spot on the affected area of the skin. It is prevalent in summer when the intensity of the sun is very high.
Hormonal change as mentioned above is the main cause of melasma in women. It is also possible to develop melasma if there is a strong history of the disorder in people’s family line. Melasma is not difficult to diagnose as it can be physically seen on the surface of the skin. Melasma can be treated using various methods like laser, chemical peel, skin lightening treatments and protection from excessive sunlight.
Laser treatments are recommended for people who have gone through different types of melasma treatment with no tangible result. Examples of laser treatment are fraxel dual laser method and the use of relevant medicines. It is an effective method of removing and clearing the skin disorder.
Chemical peel is another effective method of treating melasma. This method involves the use of acidic elements to eliminate the intensity of melanin pigment on the surface of the skin. Different types of acids are used to accomplish an efficient result. The acids include azailic, lactic, trichloroacetic acids etc. For effective results, the concentration of the acids should be high, though it may results to side effects like peeling and scarring.
Another method of treating melasma is through the use of creams that can lighten the skin. One of the common agents that are usually used in treating melasma is hydroquinone. Using hydroquinone has some noticeable side effects such as dark spots on the affected area and the skin may look like pasty white in some cases. The concentration of hydroquinone should be between 2-4%. Anything higher than that is in excess and can lead to dangerous side effects.
No matter the level and amount of treatment applied, melasma will not be permanently removed if the skin dermis is always exposed to direct sunlight. The skin surface areas should be protected from excessive sunlight by the use of sunscreen. They protect the body against harmful effect of sunrays.
All these methods are capable of removing melasma totally from the skin. But, before using them, appropriate consultation should be done with dermatologists to be properly guided.
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Melasma is also referred to as mask of pregnancy and it results from excess pigmentation which is determined by female sexual hormones. Melasma is a condition that is only rampant among women. Melasma result from the excess production of female sexual hormones- progesterone and estrogen , it also occur in the stimulation of melanocyte production. One of the main factors which is responsible for triggering melasma problem in men is the sunlight rays. Melasma is also common among women with lighter complexion.
There are several other factors that may trigger melasma skin disorder in women, these include; Hormone therapy, Birth control pill administration, pregnancy, Stress, Thyroid problems, and Genetic factors. The most prominent symptoms of melasma in women is the appearance of dark coloured patches especially in the forehead, nose, upper lip and the upper cheeks. These symptoms can worsen as the skin is being exposed to excessive sunlight.
Just like several other skin infections, Melasma can also be treated in a number of ways. Though melasma may fade away gradually after pregnancy or after birth control or hormone pills have been discontinued. Aside the discontinuation of these pills, Melasma can also be treated in a number of ways . Melasma can be faded away with the use of creams and lotions which contain a safe quantity of Hydroquinone . Glycolic acid and Azelaic acid can also be used in fading away melasma skin disorder.
Chemical peels can also be used in the treatment of melasma. Chemical peels are effective in the sense that they drastically fade away and improve the complexion of the skin. Laser treatments such as laser resurfacing can also be very effective in the treatment of melasma , such laser treatments come with very minimal side effects and they improve and rejuvenate the skin conditions.
It is very important to note that surgical treatments , chemical treatments as well as laser surgery are not administered on a patient especially during pregnancy, these treatments may affect the growing baby in a number of ways, hence it will not be ideal to subject the mother and child to dangers, such treatments may however be administered after birth and when melasma is still present.
Melasma fading creams and lotions are quite safe to apply during pregnancy, they gradually fade away the melasma appearances without any harm being done on the child. They my take time to be effective but they are very effective.
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Treating a dark skinned patient with melasma is a daunting task. This is due to the fact melasma is hard to detect in persons with dark complexion due to the lack of contrast between melasma and the dark skin. There are skin lotion products available that are specifically manufactured to treat melasma on persons with dark skin. However, the ineffectiveness of the product or the lack of adherence to the application of the product often worsens the melasma instead of removing it.
Read the Instructions Carefully
When using a skin lotion to treat melasma always read the instructions on how to properly apply the product on your skin. Determine the ideal amount, the number of times it should be applied daily, the duration of the use of the skin lotion and other relevant information such as the things to avoid after applying the skin lotion. Never over use a skin lotion to treat your melasma as it can further damage your skin and worsen melasma.
Consult a Skin Expert
Before using any skin lotion to treat your melasma consult a dermatologist first. Some skin lotions are meant for specific types of skin and you may end up using a lotion that is not ideal for your type of skin. The dermatologist will also determine the sensitivity of your skin and will give you a list of ingredients or chemicals found on skin lotions that you should avoid.
Test if You are Pregnant
Skin lotions for melasma often contain chemicals that can affect the development of the fetus of a pregnant woman. If you suspect that you might be pregnant, consult your doctor before applying the skin lotion to avoid harming the baby inside you. You can also choose to purchase a pregnancy test kit at your local supermarket to check if you are pregnant or not.
Be Patient
Skin lotions for melasma often take four days before you will be able to see any signs melasma dissipation. Do not discontinue using the product after only a week at least advised by your doctor. This will prevent you from shifting to another skin lotion. The more types of skin lotion you apply on your skin the more chances that your skin will be irritated.
Avoid the Sun
Avoid exposing yourself directly in the sun when you are using any skin lotion to treat your melasma. Keeping yourself away from the sun will assist the skin lotion in removing your melasma effectively. If it cannot be helped, apply sunscreen on your skin before going out into the sun or use a large umbrella.
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