What is Melanoma? What you need to know about this skin condition

“Is WTF a liver spot?” That’s the problem. pretty little Liars Star Shay Mitchell Recently embarked on answering her millions of Instagram followers. so Recent IGTV posts, New mom She described her experience of skin conditions that often occur after pregnancy and documented the intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment procedure she received to treat her liver spots.

So what is Melasma? It is common skin If you have black spots on your face, usually your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, says certified dermatologist and founding director Ife Rodney. Eternal dermatology Fulton, Maryland. “It’s completely benign and does not itch or hurt the skin, but it can cause emotional difficulties and self-esteem problems,” she says.

There is no cure for melasma, but it is possible. Here are some things you should know about your skin condition, including how to minimize your skin condition and appearance.

What causes melasma?

The exact cause of melasma is unknown, says Robert Finney. Board certified dermatologist In New York City. However, it is believed to be the result of hyperpigmentation of skin pigment-producing cells and excessive production of pigment or melanin.

Rodneys describe melasma as much more common in women, but men sometimes develop this condition. The most common causes are sun exposure, hormonal changes, and inheritance. “Sun exposure is the main trigger for melasma, explaining why it happens mainly on the face and more prominent during the summer,” she says.

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Often referred to as the “pregnancy mask,” ectopic hormonal shifts and pregnancy-induced liver spots cause liver spots, says Debra Jaliman. Board certified dermatologist A New York City writer,Skin Rules: Trade secrets from top New York dermatologists.She estimates that about half of pregnant women develop melasma.

“Pregnancy hormones make the skin more sensitive to sunlight,” she says. “There may be no clear cause. People are more likely to have it when they have it. family History of melasma. According to Rodney, people with dark skin are more likely to have melasma.

What does Melasma look like?

Melasma manifests itself as a dark brown discoloration of the skin. Jaliman says that “more melanin is more likely to cause melasma,” which often makes it more noticeable on dark skin.

Although melasma mainly affects the face, it can also occur in other parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as the forearms and neck, Rodney said. The face usually has dark patches evenly distributed, with jagged edges around the edges.

Is it possible to prevent melasma?

Melasma cannot be completely prevented. Especially when there is a predisposition, Finney says. However, once it has been diagnosed and treated, there are some precautions that can prevent recurrent flaccid liver. “Because UV exposure is the most common deteriorating factor, many preventive strategies are to protect the skin from harmful UV rays,” he says. Minimizing sun exposure and following a healthy skin care regimen that includes retinoids can help fight hyperpigmentation.

One of the best things you can do on your skin? Wide range of physical Sunscreen, Containing at least SPF 30 zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, Rodney recommends. Also, don’t forget to reapply it throughout the day. Physical Sunscreen More effectively reflects the harmful rays of the sun, Chemical sunscreenIt contains compounds such as oxybenzone and octinoxate and absorbs ultraviolet rays from the sun and converts them into heat energy. “Fever also exacerbates melasma and chemicals, Sunscreen “Keep off,” she says.

Rodney says that excessive exfoliation with a harsh cleanser or scrub can irritate the skin, causing inflammation and exacerbation of melasma.

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How to treat melasma

Melasma is a chronic condition that can be difficult to treat, Rodney says. “This is mainly because if the discoloration is eliminated, it will recover quickly. Therefore, continuous and continuous treatment and sunscreen are needed.”

Make sunscreen an integral part of you Skin care routine It is an important step in treating melasma and protecting the skin from many other problems. To treat melasma at home, Finney recommends products containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, phytic acid, or tranexamic acid.

Including products naicinamide, Or Vitamin B3, and Vitamin C also help treat melasma, says Jaliman. “Niacinamide helps even the condition of the skin,” she says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant. Tyrosine in the skin is converted to melanin. Melanin is a pigment that darkens the skin by an enzyme called tyrosinase. Vitamin C inhibits that enzyme, so there is less melanin and the skin Is brighter, which is why topical vitamin C improves dark discoloration.”

If over-the-counter products do not help improve melasma, see a dermatologist. Finney says dermatologists can prescribe oral and topical treatments such as oral tranexamic acid and whitening creams. Chemical peeling, microneedle therapy, and platelet-rich plasma therapy can also help treat melasma, but some high-energy laser treatments, including IPL, were initially effective, saying, “Resurrection of pigmentation anger not long after treatment. He said, which can cause

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How to minimize the appearance of melasma

Melasma can be controlled with treatment, but probably does not disappear completely. “The best treatments may not completely eliminate melasma,” Rodney says. “The good news is that there are options that help reduce the appearance of tarnishing.”

She recommends applying a full coverage concealer to the discolored area that matches your normal skin tone. Dyed sunscreens offer a dual benefit: protect the skin from the sun and tone the skin.

Skin lightening cream can minimize the appearance of melasma. Jaliman says topical vitamin C improves dark discoloration, white mulberry extract evens skin tone, and bareberry extract contains alpha arbutin, which has been shown to lighten the skin quickly.

“There is no cure for melasma,” Finney says. “It’s something that always wants to come back, so it’s imperative that patients become religious in their skin care and preventative measures. An additional benefit of a good melasma skin care routine is that there are good ingredients that are also anti-aging. There are many.”

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