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.

What is the root cause of melasma?

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.

In which skin types is melasma more common?

Women who have medium to dark skin tones are most likely to develop melasma. When melasma appears, it can cause tan, brown, grayish brown, or bluish gray patches and freckle-like spots. These usually appear on certain areas of face like the cheeks, forehead, chin, and even above the upper lip.

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.

Is melasma genetic?

Genetic predisposition may be a major factor in the development of melasma. Melasma is more common in females than in males. Persons with light-brown skin types from regions of the world with high sun exposure are more prone to the development of melasma.

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What ethnicities get melasma?

Persons of any race can be affected by melasma. However, melasma is much more common in constitutionally darker skin types than in lighter skin types, and it may be more common in light brown skin types, especially Latinos and Asians, from areas of the world with intense sun exposure.

What hormones trigger 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)

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.

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.

What is the fastest way to cure melasma?

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.

Can you reverse melasma?

Creams that combine hydroquinone with kojic acid, azelaic acid, tretinoin, corticosteroids, or glycolic acid can also treat melasma. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a chemical peel, microdermabrasion, or laser treatment to help lighten the dark patches.

What are 3 different types of melasma?

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

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.

What age does melasma start?

We do know that some people have a higher risk of developing 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.

What actually helps melasma?

Triple combination cream (hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroid) remains the most effective treatment for melasma, as well as hydroquinone alone. Chemical peels and laser- and light-based devices have mixed results. Oral tranexamic acid is a promising new treatment for moderate and severe recurrent melasma.

What is the fastest way to cure melasma naturally?

Much like green tea, black tea water can be used as a spot-lightening treatment. The astringent properties of tea soothe and calm inflammatory pigmentation and it is also very moisturising in nature. Use a cotton ball to dab steeped black tea onto dark patches of melasma on your face.

Is melasma caused by diet?

As melasma can be caused by a nutritional deficiency, diet often plays a key role in its treatment. Diet can be altered to treat melasma and some people find this to be a simple way of preventing further outbreaks.

Do and don'ts of melasma?

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.

What's the difference between hyperpigmentation and melasma?

Hyperpigmentation refers to any discoloration of the skin — be it an acne scar, sun damage, freckles, age spots, or a condition like melasma. Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation, but it typically stems from different causes, which means we have to treat it a little differently.

What skin type is more prone to hyperpigmentation?

People with darker skin are naturally more susceptible to dark spots. The skin is already creating melanin, which is what gives it a darker color, and when hormones or trauma trigger an increase in this melanin production, you are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation.

What are the two types of melasma?

Melasma can be categorized as “epidermal” or “dermal”, or mixed. Epidermal melasma means the pigment (melanin) is in the more superficial layers of the skin called the epidermis. Dermal melasma means that the pigment is in the deeper layers of the skin.