Melasma is a common problem that affects mostly women along with some men occasionally. While it can occur on people of all ages, it most often occurs on adults as they age as well as on women who are pregnant. This type of melasma is called the “mask of pregnancy,” but it typically goes away altogether soon after the completion of the pregnancy. Plenty of sun exposure without sunscreen is certainly to blame for many melasma diagnoses. Hormonal changes and general skin irritation are also to blame in some cases.
Understanding Melasma
If you have melasma, it will appear as a light tan or grayish patch on your skin. Most often, melasma will appear on your face with the most common locations being the cheeks and forehead. These patches can make you feel very uncomfortable in your own skin, not because the melasma is dangerous or uncomfortable but, because it can be embarrassing. Unlike other types of hyperpigmentation, melasma requires careful treatments because it is often dependent on excessive hormones in your body.
Types of Treatment Procedures for Melasma
Chemical peels come in a variety of strengths. Because very deep peels can be extremely inflammatory for your skin, you will probably need to opt for an extremely light peel. Some peels are specifically designed for hyperpigmentation issues, such as melasma, but you will need to treat your skin with extreme care following the peel and stay out of the sun for at least a month.
Some lasers can also be good for melasma. In particular, intense pulsed light treatments and photofacials can decrease these patches. However, more inflammatory-type lasers, such as Fraxel, may not serve you well.