What is Melasma?
Women are far more likely than men to get melasma. It is so common in pregnancy that melasma is sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy”. Hormones seem to trigger melasma.
Melasma appears on women’s skin much more often than men skin. People with darker skin, such as those of Latin/Hispanic, North African, African-American, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern or Mediterranean descent are more likely to get melasma. People who have blood relative who has a melasma also are much more likely to get melasma.
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Hydroquinone: this medication is a common first treatment for melasma it is applied to the skin and works to even out your skin tone. Hydroquinone is no longer available without a prescription. If a hydroquinone is a good fit for you, your doctor can prescribe it.
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Tretinoin and corticosteroids: to enhance skin lightening, your doctor may prescribe a second medicine. This medicine maybe tretinoin or a corticosteroid. Sometimes a medicine contains all these three medicines in one cream. This is often called called a triple cream.
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There other topical medication’s like azelaic acid and kojic acid to lighten the skin.
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Procedures: these include chemical peels, micro dermabrasion, laser treatments. It is important to know laser treatments can initially help but later can worsen the melasma.
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Broad spectrum mineral sunscreen: it is crucial to wear sunscreen every day-rain or shine! In hot summer months, wear a wide brimmed hat every day to protect your skin.
