What are these brown patches on my Face?
The cause of melasma is complex. There is a genetic predisposition of melasma with at least 1/3 of those afflicted reporting other family member to be affected. For most, melasma is a chronic and ongoing disorder.
There are several known TRIGGERS for Melasma:
- Sun Exposure
- Pregnancy – in affected women, the pigment sometimes fades a few months after delivery. For some it simply does not go away.
- Hormone Treatments – including contraceptive pills, hormone replacement, intrauterine devices.
- A phototoxic reaction to certain medications might also trigger melisma.
- Sometimes associated with hypothyroidism.
- Long term waxing, threading of facial hair on individuals who are prone to condition.
- More commonly, Melasma arises in apparently healthy, normal non-pregnant adults and persists for decades. Exposure to Sun Ultraviolet rays deepens the pigmentation because it activates the melanocytes.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentations
This describes a discolouration that is left on the skin after the skin has healed. Underlying conditions include:
- Skin Infections
- Allergic Reactions
- Phototoxic eruptions
- Trauma (burn)
- Inflammatory Reaction.
Post inflammatory pigmentations can occur in anyone but is more common in darker skinned individuals, in whom the colour tends to be more intense and persists for a longer period. The condition is more apparent in sun-induced skin conditions; hence, making it extremely important to use sunscreen.
A variety of topical treatments are available to lighten and stop the production of new hyper-pigmented lesions, at source. Scientific breakthroughs in formulations have proven to be SAFE and Successful. Laser treatments are an option but those seeking laser are cautioned to seek the advise of a Dermatologist or a verifiable Medical Aesthetic Professional.
