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Melasma Treatment
The very first need is to avoid sun. Use a high SPF sunscreen, preferably 30 SPF to protect exposed body parts from sun. Use a wide brimmed hat that stops sun rays. Also use sunglasses, big in size to protect eyes and surrounding areas. Once you protect your skin, hormonal changes cannot produce melasma, because sun exposure is required to produce melasma. Identify cosmetics that include hair dyes that you may be using and are causing phototoxic reactions.
Bleach The Spots
Consult your doctor and use bleach that will slowly remove the pigmentation. Hydroquinone is the most commonly used bleach. Other bleaching products that can be used are kojic acid and azailec acid. You will find formulations of these bleaching agents with other skin care ingredients such as retinoids, AHAs, vitamins and other anti-oxidants. Some people develop a reaction with hydroquinone and develop a dark spot on the treatment area. You should then stop using hydroquinone-based products and consult your doctor to shift to other products that may be based on kojic acid etc. Your doctor may prescribe you a treatment that combines steroids with retinoids and hydroquinone. You will have to stop the use of this combination and begin again after few days. Your doctor will guide you about that.
Never apply the bleach on normal skin otherwise it will lighten. Use bleach till the melasma clears and stop using it after that. You can also ask your doctor about exfoliation such as microdermabrasion, superficial chemical peels, etc to remove the superficial pigment.
Once you get rid of melasma, continue using sunscreen and protect yourself against sun.
Article created on: June 27, 2006
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