As a child, my mother often told me, 'If you don’t want to end up with dark spots like your grandmother, wear sunscreen.' I couldn’t help but notice the dark spots on her forehead and cheeks, although, at that time, I thought they must be related to skin ageing and didn’t consider them seriously.
Over the past few years, my curiosity about skin health has grown. I discovered that the dark spots I’ve seen on my grandmother’s skin aren’t caused by the ageing process but by Melasma.
What is Melasma?
Melasma, a common skin condition, where hyperpigmentation develops due to sun exposure, genetics, and hormonal changes such as pregnancy, birth control pills, and hormonal therapies. Dark spots usually appear on the face, such as the forehead, cheek, chin, nose, and upper lip and are often symmetrical.
This skin condition has two variations: epidermal Melasma and dermal Melasma.
Epidermal Melasma is dark brown and forms on the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Dermal Melasma is light brown and appears in the deeper layer of the skin (the dermis).
The look of Melasma can differ based on your skin type. Individuals with darker skin tones often have darker pigmentation.
How to prevent the formation of Melasma?
The best way to prevent this is to wear sunscreen every day. It is essential to consider the impact of both UV light and blue light. Ideally, choose sunscreen with 50+ SPF that contains iron oxide and blocks UVA and UVB radiation.
Additionally, you can use skincare products that have brightening properties. Look for anti-pigment products containing Niacinamide, green tea, vitamin C, Retinol and Glycolic Acid.
How to treat it?
Although treating Melasma is challenging, there are several effective methods to address it. However, the key to prevention is wearing SPF 50+ with iron oxide.
The first option is stopping hormonal contraception, if possible, as it increases the production of melanin (a molecule that creates skin pigments) in your skin. Switching your contraception to a non-hormonal choice such as IUD can be beneficial.
The second option is exfoliation. Using products containing retinoids, bakuchiol, and lactic acid helps lighten the pigmentation.
The third option is an oral treatment called tranexamic acid. This tablet prevents the production of melanin. This method can be very effective when used with other topical treatments such as hydroquinone.