What stimulates melasma?

The most important factor is exposure to sunlight. UV radiation induces production of alpha-melanocyte–stimulating hormone and corticotropin as well as interleukin 1 and endothelin 1, which contributes to increased melanin production by intraepidermal melanocytes.
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What can trigger melasma?

There are two main causes of melasma: radiation, whether ultraviolet, visible light, or infrared (heat) light; and hormones. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse.
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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.
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Is melasma caused by estrogen or progesterone?

The development of melasma appears to be associated with increased levels of oestrogen, exposure to sunlight and a genetic predisposition.
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What is making my 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.
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What is Melasma? | Melasma Treatment Explained



What hormone imbalance 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)
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What foods should be avoided with melasma?

So, when you want to eat something to treat melasma and freckles, eliminate suspected allergenic foods such as eggs, milk and dairy products, soy and soy products, wheat gluten , marine fish and shellfish, peanuts. For many people, melasma and freckles are hormonal triggers.
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How can I stop hormonal melasma?

Treatment for melasma
  1. Hydroquinone — a cream, lotion, gel, or liquid that you apply to the skin.
  2. Tretinoin and corticosteroids — prescription medications that can help lighten your skin.
  3. Azelaic or kojic acid — prescription medications that can help lighten the dark spots of melasma.
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What is the fastest way to cure melasma?

Often, the most effective treatment combines sun protection with medications that you apply to your skin — and sometimes a procedure.
...
For patients who have melasma, dermatologists often recommend using a sunscreen that contains:
  1. Zinc oxide.
  2. Titanium dioxide.
  3. Iron oxide.
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How do you reverse 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.
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What vitamin gets rid of melasma?

Conclusions: Full-face iontophoresis of vitamin C appears to be an effective short-term treatment for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
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Which vitamin is good for remove melasma?

Melasma responds well to hyperpigmentation-fading vitamin C, which has the additional benefit of protecting skin from UV damage. Experts recommend hydroquinone, a highly effective skin-lightening agent, though one concern is that it paradoxically darkens the skin.
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What vitamins can I take for melasma?

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) for Melasma

Oral vitamin C supplements may help melasma by protecting the skin from the sun, neutralizing free radicals that cause skin inflammation and blocking the production of melanin pigment. I recommend taking 500mg of Ascorbic acid two times a day.
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Who is most prone to melasma?

You have a greater risk if you: Are a woman between the ages of 20 and 40: Melasma is much more common in women than men. Hormones seem to play a role in causing melasma. Have a medium or dark skin tone: Melasma develops more frequently in these skin tones than in lighter skin tones.
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Can low estrogen cause melasma?

Also, the hormonal fluctuation you get in perimenopause could also cause higher estrogen levels, alternating with low levels, and could also contribute to melasma.
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How can I reverse melasma naturally?

Papaya Both raw and ripe papaya are used for curing various skin disorders. Papain, present in papayas, causes them to be the best home remedy for melasma. Mash a few pieces of papaya and mix it with honey. Apply the paste on affected areas and leave it for 20 minutes.
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What are 3 different types of melasma?

Historically, melasma has been classified as having three histologic variants: epidermal, dermal, and mixed [1].
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Is melasma related to liver?

Risk Factors for Developing Melasma

Malnutrition may be a contributing factors because melasma is often found in people with abnormal liver function and vitamin B12 deficiency. Cosmetics containing hydroquinone may cause dark patches, like melasma.
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Can vitamin D worsen melasma?

Although vitamin D is used in the treatment of melanoma and psoriasis and active role of 1, 25(OH)2D3 in skin no reports of melasma associated with vitamin D reported.
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Can stress cause melasma?

Stress: Long periods of stress on the body can also trigger hormonal changes and cause melasma.
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Do and don'ts of melasma?

This condition is called melasma, and it occurs most commonly in women, but men can be affected in 5-10 % of cases.
...
Do's and Don'ts
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure.
  • Wear a hat, sunglasses, and seek shade when outside.
  • Wear sunscreen daily with an SPF greater than 45 and remember to reapply.
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Does B12 deficiency cause melasma?

Studies have proved that there is a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and melasma, which means a deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause melasma on the face.
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Can digestive issues cause melasma?

Based on the results, some factors such as zinc deficiency, B12 deficiency and digestive disorders such as dyspepsia and GERD can cause melasma, therefore, the scien- tists should take seriously this issue for proper treatments.
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Why is melasma so difficult to treat?

Because the condition is fueled primarily by sunlight and female hormones, there's no true way to cut off the stimulus for melasma. In other words, you may get encouraging results from a gentle chemical peel, but they're likely to be short-lived. Eventually, nature will regain the upper hand.
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What hormone imbalance causes hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation occurs due to overproduction of melanin and estrogen and progesterone imbalances in the body.
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