Melasma is a common skin disorder afflicting hundreds of thousands of Americans. It can be loosely translated to mean “black spot.” You probably have blue-gray or brown to dark brown patches on your skin if you have melasma. These can appear as freckle-like spots or flat patches. The face (forehead, cheeks, and upper lip) and forearms are the most commonly affected areas.
Melasma frequently affects pregnant women, which is why it is also known as the “mask or pregnancy.” It can lighten and darken over time. It may get better in winters and worse in winters as per sun exposure. Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by skilled board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen, provides treatments for melasma to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding locations.
Melasma is a Chronic Disorder
Melasma can be temporary or permanent. Taking this into account, in most cases it is long-lasting or chronic, which means it remains for three months or more. There are some people that have melasma for their entire years while others may experience it for a short while during pregnancy.
Cure for Melasma
Melasma can be hard to treat. Your healthcare provider will ask you questions and try to identify the cause behind your melasma for determining a treatment plan. There are several causes of melasma, such as genetics, birth control pills, sun exposure, and screen time among others.
In some cases, melasma disappears on its own. In others, it may respond to treatment within a few months or be permanent. Most melasma cases fade away with time. This is especially if you protect your skin from sunlight and other light sources.
There is no definitive dermatology treatment for melasma that can make it disappear completely since there is no definitive way of removing dermal pigment. You should avoid the following if you have melasma:
- Hormone therapies, especially the ones involving estrogen
- Birth control pills that contain progesterone or estrogen
- LED light from laptop, television, tablet, and cell phone
- Any makeup that irritates the skin
- Medications that may worsen or cause melasma
- Skin care products that irritate the skin
- Scented soaps
- Tanning beds
- Waxing
Melasma Can Disappear On its Own
It’s possible for melasma for go away on its own within a few months. Furthermore, this is rare and you should still consult with a dermatologist. In general, melasma that affects pregnant women or those taking hormone contraceptives disappear once the cause is removed. You can take several preventative steps, such as avoiding sun exposure for reducing the condition.
You should know that melasma can return which makes it important to identify the cause. Your dermatologist will be better able to inform you about things to avoid depending on your individual circumstances. You should avoid LED screens, sun, tanning beds, birth control pills including hormones, and irritating soaps. Always wear sunscreen with iron oxides and reapply it every 2 hours.
You can also take topical medications with tyrosinase inhibitors after consulting with your dermatologist. Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by well-practiced board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen, receives patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas for melasma treatments.
For More Information contact our Board Certified in Dermatologists at Texas Surgical Dermatology in Spring, TX
For more information on procedures and treatments offered at Texas Surgical Dermatology PA please call 832.663.6566 or click here to contact our dermatologists. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Spring, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
