There are a variety of melasma products to treat the disorder, a common skin condition that is identified by dark discolored patches on the skin. Melasma is usually found on the face, most often in areas exposed to the sun. It affects primarily brown-skinned young women, and it has been linked to changing levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Pregnancy or the taking of a hormone replacement therapy increases risk among women. It is also particularly prevalent among young men and women of Native American decent, whom it affects on the forearms, and dark-skinned Eastern European populations. There are no other effects of melasma other than the cosmetic concerns that come along with skin discoloration.
Melasma treatment products usually involve a topical cream that helps to even skin tone. The most popular and effective of these is hydroquinone, a completely organic compound that occurs naturally in bombardier beetles. It works by gently lightening skin, and does not cause dermatitis as often as other, harsher topical applications do. Laser treatments and chemical peels are sometimes used in extreme cases of melasma, but the side effects and possible complications from these melasma treatments prevent them from being widely accepted as the best options for treatment. Both of these options involve a high risk of scarring, swelling, infection, and mild to severe skin irritation.
Many instances of this skin condition clear up on their own, for example once hormone therapy is stopped or the baby is born and hormones are adjusted after birth, and no melasma products are necessary. For those cases that don't clear up on their own, the simplest melasma treatment may be to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and to use a high SPF sunscreen when exposure is necessary. It has been found that unprotected exposure to harsh sunlight exponentially increases the risk of developing the skin ailment. The best melasma treatment is a combination of sun block, bleaching agents and time.
Skin lightening, whether through natural remedies like hydroquinone or harsher chemical solutions, is a slow process, and any unexplained darkening of the skin should be looked at by a certified dermatologist before trying melasma products. While undertaking skin lightening procedures, you should be especially careful to avoid sunlight, since skin may be under extreme stress.
Once lightening is achieved, the skin will require continued maintenance, through moisturizing lotions and soothing extracts like calamine, a stringent use of sun block and drinking a lot of water to keep hydrated; a safe and easy way to continue melasma treatment.
Scott LeRoy has been studying prescription and OTC medications as well as natural remedies for over a dozen years. He is a regular contributor to Skin Diseases, a section of skinsite.com dedicated to conventional and alternative treatments of various conditions.
Source: www.a1articles.com