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Melasma
Melasma is also referred as chloasma sometimes and in colloquial language, it is often called “mask of Pregnancy”. It is a common skin disorder, observed in women. Though it can occur in anybody, but this condition is particularly seen in pregnant women. Women taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy are also prone to this disorder. This condition of melasma is evident by presence of dark or tan skin rash over the skin which is irregular in shape.
Symptoms of Melasma:
Melasma has very prominent and evident symptoms. Melasma is recognized by presence of irregular, dark patches which are found on upper cheeks, lips, nose, and forehead. These patches do not erupt abruptly; instead they develop gradually with time. These patches created by melasma have more of cosmetic concern. They do not cause any discomfort or any other symptoms except discoloration of skin. In rare case, it can develop on both of the upper arms. Color of skin patch affected by melasma, can vary from dark brown to a deep gray.
Who gets the Melasma ?
Though melasma can affect any body, from any culture or region of the world but it is more common Arabs, Hispanics, Orientals and North African women. Mealsma in people with fair skin is less evident due to lighter shade of melasma patch. Though pregnant woman are the most affected by melasma but non-pregnant women also get it. It is seen that people in 20s and 30s, are the most affected by melasma.
Causes of Melasma
Is unknown what causes melasma. But the process behind it is quite known. Discoloration of skin occurs due to activity of pigment cells of skin. Production of pigment cells increases and they release more of melanin. The dark color of skin occurs due to melanin.Though exact cause of increase of production of melanin is not known but some triggers are recognized.· Heredity; it can run into families· Hormones may be responsible for this as mostly pregnant women suffer from this ·
Skin is exposed to the sun rays for longer period Taking birth control pills· Some medicines like tetracycline can cause this. It can occur in patients with thyroid disease. Excessive mental stress can cause the overproduction of melanocyte stimulating hormone.
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How to Diagnose Melasma:
Melasma is harmless skin condition and also, it is not related to any medical disorder. Dermatologist can easily identify melasma by visual examination. If it is in non-pregnant women, any medical condition or medicines have to be ruled out to identify the treatment method. In rare cases, skin biopsy is also required to identify it. Melasma treatment:Melasma causes just cosmetic concern. It is transient skin disorder which disappears after sometimes. In most of the cases, no treatment is required. It mostly occurs during pregnancy and resolves after delivery. In case of non-pregnant women, melasma resolves after few months or after few years on its own. It cannot be known that whether melasma patch will remain or disappear.Most of the treatment for malasma is cosmetic. There are many methods devised to treat melasma. But all of these treatments have different level of effectiveness. The fact is mealsma can not be cured completely. Sometimes none of the treatments work over melasma patches. Only half the people show response to these treatments. All these treatment should be continued with positive attitude in mind. Though patches can not be treated but these treatments can help to prevent them to become worse.
Chemical peels:
Chemical peeling is used to treat melasma patches. This treatment make use of some acids like azelaic acide, trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acids and natural acids found in fruit extract. This method has some limitations. Low potency peeling agents are not effective. Strong peeling agents have their own side effects like scarring, skin peeling, burning or even making the discoloration worse.
Bleaching agents: Person affected can make use of bleaching agent like hydroquinone. They help in lightening the color of affected skin patch· Person should use sunscreen lotions and creams with SPF more than 20 to combat the effect of harmful sun rays. Also try to bear wide brimmed hat while in bright sunlight.
·Laser rejuvenation treatment can also be used treat the patch.
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