Hyperpigmentation is a condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin. While technically harmless and treatable, it can be unsightly with issues like sun spots, age spots, melasma and freckles. Treatment is available for those who choose to remove them.
Melasma and pigmentation are two different skin conditions.
Melasma is a common skin problem that causes brown or gray-brown patches on the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks, nose and upper lip. It can also appear on sun-exposed areas like the neck and forearms. Melasma can be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, sun exposure, etc.
Pigmentation is the process of changing skin color due to the overproduction of melanin.
Although melasma does not cause physical pain or pose any health dangers, it can provoke intense emotional distress in individuals who experience the emergence of these dark spots on their skin. Treating the condition can pose challenges, with plenty of false information circulating about its origins.
Melasma is commonly known as the “mask of pregnancy” as it can be caused by elevated hormone levels in pregnant females. However, while the issue is frequently seen in pregnant females, it’s not exclusive to them.
It’s not just linked to pregnancy, but can also impact women of every age.
Women who develop melasma in their teens or 20s or 30s may see it stay around for decades.
The signs of melasma are very noticeable. It causes light brown, dark brown, and/or bluish patches or freckle-like spots on your skin. The patches might also be red or inflamed. Melasma commonly shows up in 6 places or a combination of sites on your skin:
You may see it show up on your cheeks, nose, chin, above your upper lip or on your forehead. Sometimes you can see it in other places like your arms, neck or back.
While it is more common in these areas, melasma can show up anywhere on the body that is exposed to the sun.
This is why symptoms can increase during the summer.
Melasma presents in one of three ways. The type has to do with the darkness of the color, the shape of the border, and how well it responds to treatment. A black light is used to test this.
Type 1: Epidermal melasma.
This affects the top layer of your skin, known as the epidermis. Usually the patches appear on your face and are dark brown in color and the shape is relatively uniform.
Type 2: Dermal melasma.
This type of melasma acts on the deeper layer of your skin called the dermis. It’s usually bluish gray or grayish brown and it has a blurry border. Because this melasma is deeper in the skin, your dermatologist may use treatments such as laser therapy or microneedling.
Type 3: Mixed melasma.
This is the most common type of melasma. It’s a combination of epidermal and dermal melasma. The patches can appear as a mixture of brown, gray and bluish gray colors. Your dermatologist may use a combination of treatments, including topical creams, chemical peels, laser therapy and microneedling.
No, melasma is not a type of cancer.
It’s also not a sign of skin cancer. Melasma differs from skin cancer in that it typically feels flat and appears on both sides of your face.
Melasma is a skin condition that can be triggered by sunlight, birth control pills and stress.
To treat melasma, a dermatologist will create a personalized treatment plan based on your skin tone, the depth of the pigmentation and any triggers you may have.
The treatment plan often includes sun protection measures, medication and procedures.
Despite treatment, some individuals may still experience melasma, prompting ongoing research into new therapies and approaches.
Melasma treatment can be challenging, with spots often not fully cleared and recurrences being common.
A significant challenge in treating melasma is the low permeability of water-soluble substances through the hydrophobic layer of the stratum corneum.
Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate, a pioneering depigmentation agent, promotes a naturally uniform skin tone.
Cetyl Tranexamate Mesylate (CTM) presents a higher level of skin targeting and could potentially be more efficient.
In a research, using a cream that contained cetyl tranexamate mesylate for 2 weeks resulted in a notable decrease in skin pigmentation.
Patients greatly affirmed a noticeable improvement after 2 weeks of utilization;
Cetyl tranexamate mesylate offers a two-fold advantage by reducing both facial dark spots and redness at the same time.
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