How to Treat Melasma
Hello, I’m Dr. Neal Schultz ands welcome to DermTV.
Melasma or the mask of pregnancy is a tan or brown blotchy discoloration of the forehead below the eyes, sort of like in the distribution of a mask and it also occurs along the upper lip in a horizontal band.
It is very, very difficult to treat and so difficult that even my cosmetic lasers don’t help melasma. It’s caused by a sensitivity of the normal pigment cells but only in this distribution a sensitivity of those pigment cells to normal female estrogens. As a result of that, it usually starts even during pregnancy or even when women have just started in a new birth control pill.
Since my cosmetic lasers don’t fix it, the only way that will really can help it and lighten the discoloration is with topical preparations containing exfoliants and bleaches. But even if you do help it with those products unless you’re using very, very effective sunscreen the cause is going to come right back because sunlight all needs hypersensitive pigment cells will make to make more brown discoloration.
So, stinkier products that have either glycolic or salicylic acid combined with bleaches is the best way to reduce this pigmentation gradually. If it doesn’t work with your products, see your dermatologist who can do glycolic pills or even salicylic acid pills. None of which have any done time but which covered with topical bleaches will cause a reduction and in this annoying brown discoloration.
Please join me again at DermTV.com. If you have a question, please send it to me by visiting DermTV.com/question. I’m Dr. Neal Schultz and thank you for watching today.
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