MELASMA common skin disorder in Femals

Melasma is the brown spottiness on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, or jaw line.  It is triggered by hormones and light.  Hormones stimulate the growth of cells that are responsible to make brown pigment (melanocytes). And natural light stimulates the production of even more brown pigment (melanin) that darkened the skin.

Overproduction of melanocytes are to be blamed. These pigment producing cells become stimulated to produce extra unnecessary melanin resulting in irregular discoloration.  Frequently, it is common in women above aged 20 when a woman's hormones change, whether due to pregnancy, oral contraceptives, or hormone replacement therapy after menopause. Women of color are prone to melasma and it is a major problem for many, but people of any skin type can suffer with melasma.

Causes of Melasma:

Causes of the increased production of melanin is not known but some triggers include:

• Heredity factors and hormone fluctuation; the rash is most common in pregnant females

• Lengthened sun exposure

• Use of birth control pills

• Certain use of tetracycline and anti-malarial drugs.

Melasma is not related to any medical disorder and by itself is a harmless skin condition in spite of the cosmetic concern associated with its appearance on facial skin. Melasma is not difficult to diagnose as it can be physically seen on the surface of the skin.

Melasma Treatment:

Over the years, various treatments are developed to treat melasma including:

• Chemical peels. This method engages the use of acidic elements to eliminate the intensity of melanin pigment on the surface of the skin.  Different types of acids are used to accomplish an efficient result.

• Microdermabrasion.  It is a method of superficial exfoliation that gets rid of dead or damaged skin cells, purifies the texture and color of your skin, helps minimize fine lines, cleans out pores to improve acne, helps with melasma and some small marks.

• Skin lightening agents with Ultradeep Vitamin treatment. Ultrasonic waves improve the absorption of skin-lightening agents in the layers of skin.  The use of ultrasound radiation together with the skin-lightening gel can considerably decrease facial hyperpigmented spots compared with both no treatment and skin-lightening gel alone after 4 weeks.

• MesoRoller.  It is a micro needle therapy system used to boost effective delivery of active ingredients in skin lightening and vitamin products.  The dermatologist will drive anti-oxidant agent and nutritious active ingredients right into the pigmented areas to revitalize skin cells from within. Dark spots will visibly lighten after successive treatment sessions.

• Laser skin rejuvenation.  Resurfacing laser treatments penetrate deep into the skin with columns of microscopic light to eradicate the cells that cause melasma.  The YAG laser delivers short, intense pulses of light targeted to the melanin in the cells affected by melasma. The laser does not effected the surrounding skin.

• Sunscreens.  No matter the level and amount of treatment applied, melasma will not be lastingly eliminated if the skin dermis is always exposed to direct sunlight. The skin surface areas should be shielded from too much sunlight by the use of sunblock to protect the skin against injurious effects of sunrays.

All these methods are competent for removing melasma completely from the skin. But, before using them, proper consultation should be done with dermatologists to be properly guided.

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Posted by Admin on Dec 18 2011. Filed under HEALTH, Skin Care & Beauty. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry