Sun, genetics and hormones can all play a role in who gets melasma, or discolored patches of pigmentation mainly on the face. Dr. Todd Minars of Minars Dermatology in Hollywood, Florida, has developed a three-step program to get rid of this unsightly skin condition, which is effective if followed to the letter.
Melasma is a certain pattern of pigmentation – dark, irregular patches - which women get on their face. Usually people who have this skin condition are female, and usually they have dark skin, Latin American or Asian women for the most part. We see a lot of melasma patients at Minars Dermatology in South Florida because we have a lot of Latin-American patients, and because we have strong sun year-round.
Melasma has a characteristic look to it, a reticulate pattern often above the lip and on the cheeks or forehead. Sometimes they refer to it as the mask of pregnancy. In some people, there does seem to be a hormonal component which occurs during or after pregnancy, or when you are starting or changing birth control.
However, most women I see with melasma have no hormonal issues at all, it just happens. Typically it affects women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, and I have to say it probably eventually goes away. I say that because I don’t see seniors with melasma, but that is probably because I see them years after getting it.
Three-Step Treatment
We have created a 12-week treatment for melasma patients, which works if followed properly. It has three main components, which include:
- Avoid the sun and protecting yourself fully against it: If you successfully treat melasma and go out in sun, it can start to darken again. Daily use of sunscreen is vital. You need a sunblock that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, with ingredients such as mexoryl, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789. Those are all sunblock ingredients which are total blocks, not partial ones.
- Use a bleaching cream: The most effective is something we compound which is specifically designed for your particular skin, if you go to a compound pharmacy they mix it up for you. That typically takes about 12 weeks to see good results.
- Peel the skin, once every two weeks: In some cases, this is optional. Chemical peels are useful if you are already using a bleaching or lightening cream, or you can have microdermabrasion. We advise our patients which is the best for them.
Melasma is easily diagnosed and usually disappears on its own, although you can hasten its disappearance by following our three-step treatment program. Staying out of the sun is important, as is using special creams and having chemical peels designed for your own skin type.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
