Overview
Melasma is a skin condition that affects women as they age, often due to over exposure to the sun. Some women experience Melasma if they take hormone replacement therapy during menopause. Melasma is basically a skin discoloration on the face which often resembles a tan. Many experts say that the best way to deal with Melasma is prevention and, in particular, to decrease your exposure to the sun.
However if you are already suffering from Melasma and want to get rid of it there are some options available. Over-the-counter treatments that can also be purchased online include treatments that contain 2% hydroquinone, which is a bleaching agent. There are also prescription treatments that you can take which include treatments that contain cortisone or Retina A. Cortisone treatments are, however, not recommended in the long term, and Retina A is often not suitable if you are pregnant or if you are suffering from a liver disorder. Many of the topical treatments that claim to be able to help Melasma also claim to be able to diminish wrinkles and age spots. However a number of experts now believe that an efficient way to diminish wrinkles is to use an anti-aging cream that contains a powerful peptide combination such as Matrixyl 3000, and this wrinkle fighter is not likely to help with conditions like Melasma.
Other treatments for Melasma include chemical peels. Either gentle chemical peels that can be carried out in a beauty salon, or stronger ones that can only be carried out by a nurse or physician. Chemical peels are, however, not suitable for everyone and they are particularly not suitable for those who have sensitive skin. Side effects of chemical peels can include redness and stinging or burning sensations on the face. Some chemical peels can increase the skin’s sensitivity to harmful UV rays, and so after certain chemical peels you will need to ensure that your skin is not exposed to the sun. Other options can include laser resurfacing treatment that can often be expensive. Some say that this is an effective method to deal with serious melasma. However, once again, as with chemical peels, laser resurfacing treatment is not suitable for those who suffer from sensitive skin. Side effects to laser resurfacing treatment can include pain, redness and soreness after the treatment. Of course there are also some 100% natural treatments on the market to deal with melasma.
The type of treatment that you choose if you have melasma will of course depend on the budget that you have and on your skin type. Some experts also say that those who have a deficiency in B12 often are more susceptible to melasma and so advise that those suffering from melasma should increase the consumption of foods rich in B12.
