What You Ought to Know About Melasma

If you have dark patches on your skin, this can be melasma. It is a harmless condition but can be nonetheless frustrating and embarrassing. The most affected parts include the cheeks, forehead, and the side of the nose. However, dark-colored patches can also develop on your upper lip, neck, or back of your forearm.

Causes of Melasma

It can be difficult understanding the cause of your condition on your own as the actual causes of melasma is not known. However, with the help of a specialist such as Patricia O’Conner, MD, who provides expert diagnosis and treatment for melasma in Glen Allen, you can identify several factors that increase the risk of the complication. These factors include:

• Females are more affected, especially pregnant women.
• Sunlight exposure
• Some medications
• Darker skin
• Family history

When to See a Doctor

Please reach out to Dr. O’Conner if;

• You have new or worsening symptoms.
• You would wish to stop using birth control pills.
• You have questions and concerns and about your condition and or care.

Melasma Diagnosis

Your provider can quickly identify melisma by looking at your skin. However, to evaluate any risks associated with the condition and how deep it has gotten into your skin, a further close examination of your skin under light can be necessary. Your provider can also carry out some tests to test for any other underlying condition that can be contributing to patch formation on your skin.

Please speak to your provider about any birth control pills or other medications that you might be using and also, in case you are exposed to any risk factor, you can lay down the vital information.

Melasma Treatment

Depending on the factors that contribute to your condition, there are several ways to manage miasma. However, if the state is related to pregnancy, it can go away without treatment after birth. Treatment options include:

Medications such as the use of bleaching agents. They can be used to lighten the dark patches on your skin.

Cosmetic Procedures. Several procedures, such as chemical peel or dermabrasion, can be used to improve the appearance of your skin by removing the top layer of your skin. Your provider designs a procedure based on your condition and the nature of your sin.

What You Can do To Improve Your Symptoms

Care for your skin

After treatment, maintenance therapy is necessary to avert melasma from coming back. Your provider can aid you on this through special instructions on how to care for your skin.

Follow Instructions Patiently

Some people tend to overdo some instructions hoping for them to work faster. However, too much of anything can be poisonous. If for instance, you use more cream than instructed, it will only irritate your skin, or make the condition worse rather than making the dark patches fade more quickly.

Protect Your Skin from Sunlight

Sunlight is one of the significant risk factors associated with melasma. For this reason, protect your skin from the sunlight by wearing sunscreen, or you can also wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Use gentle products and avoid waxing.

Several ski products can irritate, sting, or burn your skin. Alternatively, you can use products such as soap, lotion, and makeup. Waxing can also irritate your skin, and avoiding it can be a good option.