Melasma Treatment: Cost and Side Effects

The term Melasma refers to a chronic skin condition which causes discoloration on the face. It leaves brown or blue-grey patches on the upper lip, cheeks, chin and forehead, and is more common among women aging between 20-50 years. The primary causes leading to this condition include external sun exposure and hormonal changes during pregnancy, anti-seizure medications, drugs and medicines that make your skin more prone to pigmentation. People with a family history or genetic disposition of melasma are most likely to suffer from this condition.

In order to confirm the diagnosis of Melasma, your skin doctor may perform a skin biopsy. Usually the dermatologist looks for characteristics of pigmentation and how far it has affected the facial area. In most cases, the doctors suggest chemical peels, facial creams and laser removal to treat melisma. These treatment procedures help reduce uneven brown patches on your skin and lighten your skin pigmentation so that your skin looks evenly toned. Since the most common cause of melasma is external sun exposure, dermatologists recommend use of sunscreen creams with good Sun Protection Factor, ideally ranging from SPF 60-65, throughout the year. Sunscreen creams containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are excellent in blocking harmful UltraViolet rays. You may also use mineral foundations that contain zinc oxide and iron oxide as they will keep you protected from sun exposure and prevent melasma. Other than sunscreens and creams, supplements are also prescribed by the doctor to manage any hormonal imbalance. A few effective supplements for melasma are Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM), Vitamin-C, Flaxseed oil etc. During a chemical peel procedure the doctor applies solution to your face in order to break down the damaged areas of the skin.

Doctors usually suggest chemical peels, facial creams and laser removal to treat melisma. These treatment procedures help reduce uneven brown patches on your skin and lighten your skin pigmentation so that your skin looks evenly toned. Since the most common cause of melasma is external sun exposure, dermatologists recommend use of sunscreen creams with good Sun Protection Factor, ideally ranging from SPF 60-65, throughout the year. Sunscreen creams containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are excellent in blocking harmful UltraViolet rays. You may also use mineral foundations that contain zinc oxide and iron oxide as they will keep you protected from sun exposure and prevent melasma.

Creams with skin lightening and skin brightening properties help in reducing brown patches. The effectiveness of the cream depends on the skin whitening agents or ingredients it contains. Some creams may work for epidermal melasma which refers to outer layer of the skin, while others may be effective for dermal melasma that refers to deeper layers of your skin. Some of the most effective and commonly used skin whitening agents are Hydroquinone, Kojic Acid and Licorice Extract. Hydroquinone reduces the melanin pigment of your skin and helps the discoloration to fade away. Kojic Acid penetrates skin layers and prevents the production of melanin to a particular spot you’re applying on. Licorice contains Glabridin which prevents tyrosinase enzyme that is responsible for producing melanin pigment in the skin.

Other than sunscreens and creams, supplements are also prescribed by the doctor to manage any hormonal imbalance. A few effective supplements for melasma are Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM), Vitamin-C, Flaxseed oil etc. MSM increases production of pheomelanin, the yellow melanin pigment in your skin, which exceeds the eumelanin or dark melanin pigment of the skin, thereby making your skin look lighter. Taking a Vitamin-C supplement increases Glutathione, an antioxidant in your body which reduces production of tyrosinase that is responsible for producing melanin pigment in the skin.

There are no clear signs or symptoms of melasma. People, usually women during pregnancy, experiencing hormonal imbalance, those exposed to harmful UV rays of the sun, and those with a family or genetic history of melasma are most likely to suffer from this chronic skin disorder. If you see dark brown patches on your face, especially on the cheeks, chin, forehead, upper lip or the jawline, then consult a doctor.

If you do not show signs of dark patches on the skin due to sunlight exposure, or hormonal changes during pregnancy, then you need not undergo melasma treatment.

Excessive use of Hydroquione cream and gel can cause the skin cells to become cancerous, it can damage the pigment cells on your skin, can increase the chances of developing more hyper-pigmentation in future, can cause blue tint on the skin.

There are no specific guidelines to follow after the treatment of melasma. However, skin lightening and brightening creams are more effective in curing melasma than oral medication and supplements. So make sure you keep yourself protected from UV rays by using a good SPF sunscreen cream, before you step out during daytime.

Although there is no fixed time period to recover from melasma under a normal course where you are prescribed facial creams and gels, a chemical peel procedure during which the doctor applies solution to your face in order to break down the damaged areas of the skin may take up to 2 weeks of recovery time.

While the price of creams and gels roughly vary between Rs.500 to Rs.5000, laser treatment for melasma are quite expensive and can cost you approximately Rs.1,50,000.

Whether the results of melasma treatment are permanent or not, is not clearly known. However, a chemical peel procedure and laser removal can certainly help you achieve long-lasting results.

Alternative treatment for melasma may include a few home remedies such as applying lemon juice, aloe vera gel, oatmeal powder, milk and honey on your face. But these only help to reduce dark patches temporarily, and do not yield permanent or long-lasting results.