Skin Whitening: Common Treatments for Melasma
Judy Aulin
As we get older, our skin begins to lose its even skin tone and become covered in small, noticeable dark spots that usually appear on the face and hands. Sometimes, these spots may begin as small and insignificant, but will quickly grow to a much larger and noticeable size.
This darkening in skin tone is referred to as hyperpigmentation. It can be caused by too much sun exposure over a long period of time or it can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as those present during pregnancy. Whatever the case, hyperpigmentation can have a significant impact on self esteem.
When hyperpigmentation shows up on certain parts of the face, such as the forehead, cheeks and nose, it is referred to as melasma. It is a very common occurrence in all ethnicities, but it is usually seen more in people with darker or olive toned skins. On top of this, women are usually more prone to suffering this form of hyperpigmentation (http://www.bioskinrefiner.com/).
Melasma treatments (http://www.bioskinrefiner.com/) usually involve the use of some form of skin whitening. The objective is to get correct skin tone by reducing the amount of melanin in the cells and block its production. Here's a list of some commonly used whitening techniques.
*Laser Treatment
This procedure will work on melasma, but it can lead to more hyperpigmentation and even hypopigmentation problems. Laser treatment is recommended more for darker skinned individuals and may produce inconsistent results in some people.
*Chemical Peels and Dermabrasion
Chemical peels are a great option in the treatment of melasma because the intensity of the peel can be controlled to best suit your needs. The depth of the peel will depend on the chemicals the specialist uses to perform it. Any discomfort that you might feel can be treated with cooling agents and/or topical anesthetics.
*Bleaching Creams
These products help lighten the skin. They will probably work best over larger areas of the skin as it is difficult to apply them on a tiny spot. There are a variety of active ingredients that different bleaching creams contain.
Hydroquinone is one of the best known bleaching ingredients. This ingredient may lead to a few minor problems such as irritation or discoloration, but there are safer alternatives.
Azelaic acid, also used in acne medication, is a common alternative to hydroquinone. Kojic acid and glycolic acid have also been proven to be a good alternative to hydroquinone.
Post-Treatment Precautions
It is crucial that you protect your skin after using any one of the previous techniques or products. Their main goal is to inhibit the production of melanin, which is the substance that protects your skin from the sun. So, when choosing a bleaching product, make sure that it contains a high SPF or apply a sunscreen after any procedure.
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