Which acid is best 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.
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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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Can glycolic acid fade melasma?

Conclusion: A cream containing 10% glycolic acid and 2% hydroquinone (Neostrata AHA Age Spot and Skin Lightening Gel) improved melasma and fine facial wrinkling in Asian women. In combination with glycolic acid peels at 3-week intervals the lightening of melasma is subjectively much better.
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Which acid is best for dark pigmentation?

Tartaric acid treats dark spots, acne scars, acne, melasma, hyperpigmentation, dry skin, sun-damaged skin, and fine lines.
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Can glycolic acid make melasma worse?

Studies have demonstrated that the addition of glycolic acid can enhance the effectiveness of melasma treatments (Dayal).
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Dermatologist’s Best Skincare Ingredients for Hyperpigmentation (Melasma, Dark Spots,



What not to use on melasma?

Skin care products: A product that irritates your skin in general will likely make your melasma worse. Soaps: Some scented soaps are thought to cause or worse melasma. Tanning beds: The UV light produced by tanning beds damages your skin just as bad as the UV light from the sun, and sometimes worse.
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What is the best active ingredient for melasma?

Hydroquinone. HQ is the most frequently prescribed depigmenting agent worldwide and it has remained the gold standard for the treatment of melasma, particularly of the epidermal type. HQ preparations are commonly used in the treatment of melasma at concentrations varying from 2 to 5% applied once daily.
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What is the fastest hyperpigmentation treatment?

What are the best treatments for hyperpigmentation?
  • Skin lightening creams. The first option, of course, is skin lightening creams. ...
  • Retinoids. ...
  • Laser peel. ...
  • Chemical peel. ...
  • Skin acids. ...
  • Microdermabrasion. ...
  • IPL or Intense pulsed-light therapy. ...
  • Dermabrasion.
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What ingredients are best for 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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Can salicylic acid worsen melasma?

Engelman warns against using products with salicylic acid, as it can have a damaging effect on melasma-ridden skin. On top of that, your diet may also have an effect on melasma.
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Can hyaluronic acid remove melasma?

A placebo-controlled, single-blind trial conducted by Ibrahim et al42 has found that the subjects with hyaluronic acid(HA) had fewer side effects and the recurrence rate was lower than that of hydroquinone or glycolic acid alone after 12-week treatment of melasma patients.
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Is niacinamide good for melasma?

Melasma is a chronic and persistent hyperpigmentation, representing a therapeutic challenge because of the high rate of relapses. This work showed that niacinamide 4% is an effective agent for the treatment of melasma, as assessed by objective methods and clinical evaluation.
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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.
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How do you fade 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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Why is it so hard to get rid of melasma?

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 completely clears hyperpigmentation?

Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to rid skin of hyperpigmentation. These procedures work to gently remove the top layer of your skin where the dark spots lie.
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What chemical is best for hyperpigmentation?

Retinol is one of the best ingredients to treat hyperpigmentation due to its ability to speed up cell turnover. Azelaic acid is another ingredient that brightens the skin, but is gentler, making it great for those with sensitive skin.
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Which Ordinary serum is best for melasma?

THE ORDINARY Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA (Serum to reduce Dark Spots & Pigmentation), 30 ml (Pack of 1)
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Is niacinamide or vitamin C better for hyperpigmentation?

As a mild acid, Vitamin C is better for exfoliating and brightening skin than niacinamide.
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Which is better hydroquinone or niacinamide?

Niacinamide is much less irritating and more tolerable to most skin types as well,” says Mikailov. (Given its gentler nature, it's important to note that the brightening effects of hydroquinone are usually noticeable after about a month of consistent use, but it can take up to two months when using niacinamide.)
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Does 2% salicylic acid get rid of hyperpigmentation?

Salicylic acid is proven to be effective for treating hyperpigmentation, including for patients with darker skin5. Salicylic acid and tretinoin are comparable for fighting acne6.
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Which is better for melasma AHA and BHA?

AHAs, such as glycolic and lactic acid, may be effective in treating changes in skin color such as melasma, solar lentigines, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Experts believe that the quicker action of AHA makes it a better option for improving skin color than BHA-containing products.
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Does lactic acid make melasma worse?

No side effect was recorded in all treated patients. Conclusion: Lactic acid was found to be a new effective and safe peeling agent in the treatment of melasma.
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