What is the best chemical for melasma?

Salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid though traditionally used for acne, has also been tried in pigmentary disorders like melasma. In fact, ethanol solutions of salicylic acid are excellent peeling agents for numerous conditions in dark-skinned individuals including acne, melasma and PIH.

What is the fastest treatment for melasma?

Doctors often use hydroquinone as the first line of treatment for melasma. Hydroquinone is available as a lotion, cream, or gel. It works by lightening the color of the skin patches. A person can apply the hydroquinone product directly to the patches of skin that are discolored or uneven.

What is the best chemical exfoliator for melasma?

Best chemical peel for melasma: Mandelic acid peels are a non-irritating yet powerful treatment for melasma. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment but, ideally, it's used within a treatment plan for melasma as this condition often requires a multi-pronged approach.

What is better than hydroquinone for melasma?

The latest alternative to hydroquinone is cysteamine, which Dr. Karan Lal says “depigments the skin slowly and more safely than other bleaching ingredients.” Unlike with hydroquinone, you don't run the risk of paradoxical hyperpigmentation.

How can I permanently remove melasma from my face?

Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment.

Best Peel for Pigment, Sun Damage + Melasma | Nashville Licensed Esthetician

What fades melasma?

The most commonly used treatments for melasma are skin lightening medications that are applied topically. These include medications such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, cysteamine, rucinol, and tranexamic acid.

What makes melasma worse?

Sun exposure.

"The sun is the major exacerbating factor, whatever the underlying cause." Melasma can be caused or worsened by not only the sun's rays, but also heat and visible light. This means that even sunscreens that protect against skin cancer aren't enough to ward off melasma, says Dr. Kourosh.

What is the latest treatment for melasma?

Newer options for treating hyperpigmentation include cysteamine, methimazole, silymarin, tranexamic acid (TA), glutathione, melatonin, and new combination formulations.

Why you should not use hydroquinone?

FDA has received reports of serious side effects including skin rashes, facial swelling, and ochronosis (discoloration of skin) from the use of skin lightening products containing hydroquinone.

What deficiency causes melasma?

While melasma most often develops after prolonged sun exposure or during pregnancy due to fluctuating hormone levels, it may also be a sign of malnutrition or liver disease. Studies have linked melasma to people with poor liver function, vitamin B12 deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.

Which is better for melasma hydroquinone or azelaic acid?

Over a period of 24 weeks, 73% of the azelaic acid patients, compared with 19% of the hydroquinone patients, had good to excel- lent overall results, as measured by the reduction of melasma pigmentary intensity and lesion size. Tran- sient mild to moderate irritant reactions were initially seen with both test drugs.

What color cancels out melasma?

Peach or pink color concealers are highly effective in hiding hyperpigmented spots for light to medium skin tone. And, deeper orange or red color concealers can cover the dark spots for people with a darker complexion.

What is better for melasma chemical peel or laser?

Peels are often the best option for patients with darker skin because laser treatments involve the risk of hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels are also less expensive than laser treatments, which is something to consider.

What is the latest treatment for melasma 2022?

The authors concluded that TCC cream remains the gold-standard treatment for melasma. TCC is a 'triple combination cream' that contains three medicines: a corticosteroid, tretinoin and hydroquinone. Hydroquinone and tretinoin alone were also effective, but not as effective as TCC.

Which hormone causes melasma?

Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is common in: Pregnant women. Women taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives)

Will retinol make melasma worse?

There's a catch, though: Retinol can be irritating (which we know can end up making melasma worse), so start with a gentle retinol formula and use it slowly at first: One night a week for one week, two nights a week for two weeks, three nights a week for three weeks, then every other night indefinitely.

What works just as good as hydroquinone?

Arbutin. According to Dr. Green, “Arbutin is a natural form of hydroquinone derived from the bearberry plant. It is a safer and effective alternative to hydroquinone and is less cytotoxic to the melanocytes.” Use it gradually during the first few weeks to make sure your skin doesn't react.

Why did the FDA ban hydroquinone?

With continued use, hydroquinone and mercury can build up in your body, which may cause harm. The FDA has received reports of serious side effects from the use of hydroquinone, including rashes, facial swelling, and permanent skin discoloration (ochronosis).

What cream do dermatologist use for hyperpigmentation?

Hydroquinone is the gold standard for treating hyperpigmentation in dermatology. Its effectiveness and safety is so well-documented in clinical studies that almost all dermatology providers will recommend 4% hydroquinone as a first step for anyone with significant pigment concerns.

What is the gold standard for treating melasma?

A combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin and a topical steroid is considered the gold standard in treatment. Systemic agents, chemical peels and laser therapy are alternative options for treatment. Melasma is a chronic condition requiring ongoing maintenance to minimise relapse.

What should you avoid with melasma?

What is the most effective laser for melasma?

Can CO2 laser make melasma worse?

For melasma and under eye wrinkles, I suggest a combination approach of lasers, microneedling/PRP, fillers and skin care/peels which can improve this area. CO2 laser can worsen melasma so its very important you go to an expert for treatment.

Is microneedling or laser better for melasma?

Lasers are generally great for eviscerating excess melanin. But the heat they generate can make melasma worse, triggering the formation of even more discoloration in the weeks following treatment. By contrast, mechanical microneedling generates no such heat.