Melasma & Skin Pigmentation

What are these dark patches on my face?

If you’ve noticed that patches of your facial skin have started to darken on your cheeks, forehead, nose or upper lip, you may be experiencing melasma.

What is melasma?
Melasma is the stimulation of melanocytes to produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Freckles, for example, are concentrated areas of increased melanin production. When skin is exposed to the sun, this melanin forms patches of darkened skin. For some women, this discoloration is barely noticeable, while for others it can be dark and quite embarrassing. Melasma can occur with any skin type, but it is more common in darker skin tones.

What causes melasma?
Female hormones can stimulate melanocytes to produce melanin. Because they   affect your hormone levels, taking birth control pills can trigger melasma, as can pregnancy (which is why melasma is also known as “the mask of pregnancy”). And unfortunately, once this skin discoloration has started, it may continue even after hormone levels have returned to normal.

Effective melasma treatments
The single most important way to get the pigment to fade is to  stay out of the    sun. Even without other treatments, minimal sun exposure can solve the    problem—so daily sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 is essential. Reapply every 2–3 hours if you’re going to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time.

Most dermatologists will use a combination of pigment-fighting  agents to affect   pigment at all stages of its development. Some of these treatments include: 4%   hydroquinone, lasers and light-based treatments, and natural agents like niacinamide (vitamin B3), n-acetyl glucosamine, sepiwhite and retinol (vitamin A).

4% hydroquinone:
Frequently prescribed. Although effective, rarely clears the problem entirely.
 
Lasers and light-based treatments:
Often used by physicians and are successful, but they can be expensive. Also, if you don’t maintain skin with appropriate creams, the pigment will likely return. 

Natural agents:
Niacinamide (vitamin B3), n-acetyl glucosamine, sepiwhite and retinol (vitamin A) help to prevent pigment development, interrupt its transfer to other cells, or increase cell turnover (exfoliation) to help lighten affected areas.