How to Prevent Melasma

How to Prevent Melasma

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Melasma in particular can be difficult to get rid of once you have it, so prevention is always your best bet. Here are some ways to avoid developing melasma in the first place.

1.    Stay out of the sun - and tanning booths - completely.

2.    Always apply sun screen with an SPF of at least 30. Even if you're just leaving the house for five minutes to run errands. And be sure to reapply every few hours. Also wear a wide-brimmed hat to further keep the sun out of your face.

What Causes Melasma and Hyperpigmentation?

No definitive cause of melasma has been pinpointed, though doctors have identified a number of possible triggers:

·         Hormonal Imbalances. Melasma occurs more frequently in women than men and is often associated with hormonal changes. Women who are pregnant, taking hormone replacement therapy, or hormone-based birth control are especially susceptible. With pregnant women, these dark patches are often called the "mask of pregnancy," and typically last until the end of the pregnancy.

·         Sun Exposure. UV exposure is considered the leading cause of melasma. Certain medications, such as anti-seizure drugs, can make skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of developing melasma.

·         Scented Soaps and Deodorant. These products may irritate the skin, making it more sensitive to the sun.

·         Hypothyroidism. Melasma has been associated with low levels of thyroid hormone.

Certain people will also have a higher risk factor for melasma. These include:

·         Women. Men make up only one quarter of people diagnosed with melasma.

·         People with Darker Skin. People who tan easily or already have higher melanin production are more likely to develop melasma.

·         Those with a Family History. One third of people diagnosed with melasma report that a family member has also suffered from the disease.

What are the Different Kinds of Melasma?

Not all cases of melasma are the same and the prognosis for treatment can vary based on whether the melasma appears on the top layer of skin or on one of the lower layers. Look at the table below, which lists the features of the different melasma types to help you identify what kind you may have.

(click column header to sort results)

Type of Melasma	Features
Epidermal (on the outer-layer of skin)	1) Well-defined border
	2) Patches dark brown in color
	3) Responds well to treatment
Dermal (on the lower layer skin layers)	1) Most common type
	2) Poorly defined borders
	3) Light brown or bluish in color
	4) Responds poorly to treatment
Mixed	1) Bluish, light and dark brown patches
	2) Moderate improvement with treatment