Does anyone know the best treatment for melasma (chloasma)?!


Question: These are horrible brown marks on the skin, like hyperpigmentation, and I have to use a camouflage cream to cover it.


Answers: These are horrible brown marks on the skin, like hyperpigmentation, and I have to use a camouflage cream to cover it.

Your first port of call should be your GP, but according to wikipedia you have several options available:

Topical depigmenting agents, such as hydroquinone (HQ) either in over-the-counter (2%) or prescription (4%) strength. HQ is a chemical that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the production of melanin
Tretinoin, an acid that increases skin cell (keratinocyte) turnover. This treatment cannot be used during pregnancy.
Azelaic acid (20%), thought to decrease the activity of melanocytes.

Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical peels with glycolic acid.

Laser treatment. A Wood's lamp test should be used to determine whether the melasma is epidermal or dermal. If the melasma is dermal, laser (or "IPL") will acually DARKEN and worsen the appearance of the spots. Dermal melasma is generally unresponsive to most treaments, and has only been found to lighten with products containing mandelic acid.

In all of these treatments the effects are gradual and a strict avoidance of sunlight is required. The use of broad-spectrum sunscreens with physical blockers, such as titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide is preferred over that with only chemical blockers.

Try this site:

http://www.dermanetwork.org/information/...

If it is the result of pregnancy, it should disappear after delivery. I believe it is hormone related and is more prevelant in darker skin types. If there are hormonal imbalances, it may disappear when they are regulated. In the meantime, protect from the sun. There are some drugs that are supposed to help, although I have no personal knowledge of them.
Here is a site that has some info that may help.
Good luck





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