Melasma (Dark spots in the face)

 

Melasma is a common condition. Presents with brown patches on the face.  Mostly on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, and forehead.

Around 20-30% of population in Bahrain suffer from melasma, 90% are women. It is so common during pregnancy and some call it the mask of pregnancy.

People with darker skin, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean descent are more likely to get melasma.

What causes melasma is not yet clear. It likely occurs when the color-making cells in the skin (melanocytes) produce too much color. People with dark skin are more prone to melasma because they have more active melanocytes than those with light skin. Some studies showed some genetic predisposition.

Common melasma triggers (what starts it) include: Sun exposure, Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun stimulates the melanocytes. Sun exposure is why melasma often is worse in summer. A change in hormones, pregnant women often get melasma. Contraceptive pills and hormone replacement medicine may trigger melasma too.

The following can prevent melasma from getting worse. Wear sunscreen every day. Because sunlight triggers melasma, Dr. Husain recommends wearing sunscreen daily, year-round. This is important because some of the sun’s UV rays can touch the skin even through clouds and windows.

You have to apply good amount of the sunscreen and apply it 20-30 minutes before you go out. You have to reapply it after2-4 hours.

Be sure to use sunscreen that offers these two things: Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays) and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.

Consult a dermatologist to diagnose your condition and then he will offer you the right treatment plan, starting from bleaching creams, Antioxidant, to Fraxel Laser depending on the severity.

Don’t use unknown products for whiting or bleaching, because some may have toxic elements like mercury.

Avoid unknown whitening injections offered in some countries because there was serious side effects associated with this kind of treatment.

Use your medicine exactly as directed by your dermatologist. This is very important.

Cover up the patches. You may want to cover up your dark patches with makeup. Choose products that have white and yellow undertones.

New studies are conducted everywhere to discover new modalities of treatment.

Dr. Husain Ali Mahdi