Skin Discoloration in Melasma

Melasma, also known as chloasma as well as the ‘mask of pregnancy’, is a fairly common condition which causes skin discoloration, typically occurring on the face, especially on the upper lip, cheeks, and the forehead. Physicians refer to this skin discoloration as hyperpigmentation. Melasma usually affects pregnant women, with dark colored patches, ranging from tan to a deep shade of brown, forming in almost identical patterns on either side of the face, and sometimes also on other parts of the body that are exposed to the sun.

Although Melasma occurs mostly in pregnant women, women who are not pregnant can also get it. Also, although it is largely women who are affected by this condition, sometimes men can get it too.

Melasma by itself is a harmless condition of the kin and is not linked to any medical condition. In most cases, a dermatologist can diagnose Melasma when it occurs during pregnancy fairly easily. However, drugs as well as other medical reasons may have to be checked out if it occurs in people who are not pregnant. Rarely, a skin biopsy may be resorted to in order to make a diagnosis.

Why Does Melasma Occur?

It is still not known what causes Melasma, however, it is thought that it could be because of an increase in the melanin producing cells. The skin’s dark color is due to the melanin present in it.

Exactly why there is an increase in melanin is also unknown, however, some of the triggering factors are:

• Hormonal changes, since the skin discoloration occurs most often in pregnant women.
• The use of oral contraceptives, or hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.
• Extensive exposure of the skin to the sun.
• Taking certain medicines or using certain products that make the skin sensitive to sunlight, also known as photosensitizing, such as medications used for treating thyroid or ovarian problems and certain cosmetics.
• Some of the other medicines are anti-malarial drugs and tetracycline.

What is the Treatment for Melasma?

The skin discoloration caused by Melasma usually begins to diminish as there is a stabilization of the hormones. Hence, pregnant women affected with Melasma usually find their skin discoloration fading within months of giving birth to the baby. And as for women on hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, they usually find the discolorations fading once the medications are stopped. Protecting the skin from the sun can help in not exacerbating the condition.

Some of the following options can be resorted to in order to help in treating or fading skin discolorations:

Chemical peels: These are used for treating Melasma by causing a mild burn on the affected area, which is akin to sunburn. The chemically burned layers of skin peel off over time, with new, fresh skin left in its place. Some of the most commonly used chemical peels are: lactic acid, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and a number of fruit extracts. The trouble with chemical peels is that while the stronger ones may be effective but they also have the risk of causing side effects like peeling skin, burning, scarring, and even exacerbating the discoloration of the skin, and as for the milder ones, their effectiveness is usually poor.

Azelaic acid cream: This seems to work by halting or retarding melanin being produced.

Tretinoin: This is a kind of vitamin A which helps in increasing the rate of the shedding of dead cells of the skin and new cells appearing. Since the discolored skin cells are shed, it helps in fading the Melasma patches faster.

Hydroquinone: This is a bleaching agent in cream form which removes the pigment from the skin, which it does by blocking the natural process that results in the production of melanin.

Laser therapy: This is used by some dermatologists which helps in removing the discolored skin layer, although it is not the usual method of treating Melasma.