Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown patches on the face and neck. It is associated with female hormones and sun exposure. Areas like the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip are most commonly affected. Melasma occurs more often in women, especially during pregnancy, and in those with brown skin tones. While not dangerous, it can cause self-consciousness due to changes in appearance.

1. Melasma

2. Melasma
Melasma is a skin condition that is associated with
female hormones, and overexposure to sun rays. It is
also known as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy.
Areas such as forehead, cheekbones and the upper lip
are prone to developing melasma. However, it can also
affect the chin, nose, sides of the neck and lower
cheeks. It is an acquired condition, characterized by
development of brown patches on the skin of the face
and the neck. This condition is more common in
women, than men. It generally occurs during the
second or third trimester of pregnancy. Young women
with brownish skin tones are more susceptible to this
disorder. Although it is not a hazardous disease, it
affects the appearance of a person, particularly
making women, overtly self-conscious.

3. What are the causes of
Melasma?
 Melasma is caused by a combination of hormonal, genetic
and sun-related factors. It is usually associated with the
female hormones. Research indicates that melasma is
caused due to the over-production of melanocytes.
Melanocytes are skin cells that secrete melanin a pigment
responsible for lending colour to our skin. It is more
commonly seen in young women taking contraceptive
pills and also during pregnancy.
 Melasma is also found to be associated with hormonal
imbalance, menopauseand ovarian disorders. It may be
triggered by a medication known
as phenytoin or tetracycline.
 A prolonged exposure to sun is also responsible for
developing melasma.
 Another cause of melasma could be the use of certain
beauty products that may further stimulate the production
of melanocytes.

4. Symptoms
Melasma causes irregular, brown or greyish-brown
patches on the skin of the face and the neck. The brown-
coloured patches are seen on the forehead, nose, cheeks,
and the upper lip. They result from the increased amounts
of skin pigment, called melanin. In some rare cases, there
may be skin discoloration on both arms. There may be
epidermal melasma (increased pigment in the epidermis)
or dermal melasma (increased pigment present deeply in
the dermis), or a combination of both.

5. Treatments
Melasma is generally related to pregnancy, and fades
gradually after delivery. Similarly, the pigmentation
gradually disappears when you discontinue the oral
contraceptives. Darkening is likely to recur with
reintroduction of contraceptive pills or subsequent
pregnancy.
 As the exposure to sunrays is one of the most prominent
causes of melasma, use of sunscreens or sunblocks is an
important treatment option.
 You should avoid exposure to ultraviolet light of the sun
or tanning booths as much as possible.
 Depigmenting agents, bleaching creams, or vitamin
A derivatives are also prescribed to reduce the skin
pigmentation.

6. Treatments
 Hydroquinone is the most commonly used agent. It can
also be combined with some other agents such as
glycolic acid to enhance its effect. Its effect is quite slow
and occurs after several months.
 Besides the creams, other techniques such as
microdermabrasion, chemical peel and laser treatment are
also used to treat melasma. A chemical peeling with tri-
chloro-acetic (TCA) acid or glycolic acid could give rapid
results.
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7. Natural Remedies for Melasma
Lemon juice is known to help treat melasma. It works well
for the discoloured skin patches. All you need to do is to
squeeze a few drops of lemon juice in a bowl, and apply
the same to the affected area. Leave the smear for 15 to
20 minutes and rinse hereafter. You may also choose to
add cucumber juice to the lemon drops and apply the
concoction all over the face. Leave the application
overnight and rinse it off next morning. The effectiveness
is proven, only when you continue with this regimen 3 to
4 times a week.
Potato juice is also a resourceful agent used for
lightening the pigmented skin patches. You may apply the
juice and wash it off when you experience a skin stretch.

8. Natural Remedies for Melasma
Considering the treatment options offered, you must bear
in mind that the treatment for melasma is slow, and takes
several months for the desired results. The effectiveness
of treatment depends upon the depth of pigmentation and
differs from person to person. A skin pigmentation
lightening lotion may work very well for an acquaintance,
however, may not prove to be as effective, in your case or
vice versa.
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