#12 Everything You Should Know About Melasma (மங்கு) | Dr. Shabari Arumugam

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  • What is melasma?
  • What to do if I get MELASMA in Pregnancy?
  • What are the precautions in using hydroquinone?
  • What are the treatment options available for melasma?



Hey, Welcome back! The first topic of this Month is Melasma

What is Melasma?

  • Melasma is a common skin condition of adults in which Brown or Greyish pigmentation develops, usually over Face.
  • Melasma starts between the age of 20 - 40
  • Women are more commonly affected
To see more image of Melasma, Click here

What causes Melasma?

  • Pregnancy 
  • Oral Contraceptive Pills (Medicines which are taken to avoid Pregnancy)
  • Exposure to Sun (UV Light) increases the Pigmentation

What does Melasma look like?

  • Melasma appears darker than the surrounding skin
  • Sites: Cheek, Forehead, Nose, Upper Lip, Chin
  • Usually Asymptomatic (No itching/pain/burning sensation) over the darker area

Melasma in PREGNANCY:

  • Common in the Third Trimester - 7th, 8th, 9th month of pregnancy
  • No need to worry if it occurs during pregnancy since it may disappear completely after childbirth. 
  • TREATMENT is NOT required

How to prevent further Darkening in Melasma?

  • Avoid Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptive Pills) / Hormonal Therapy/change to an alternate contraceptive preparation
  • Avoid sun exposure between 11 AM and 4 PM
  • Broad Spectrum Sunscreen (SPF  >30)
  • Avoid scented cosmetic products
  • Avoid Phototoxic drugs (Ask your Dermatologist whether any of the drugs you take is phototoxic)
  • Consult a Dermatologist to prevent further darkening.

What Are the Treatment options available?

NOTE: The following treatment should be carried out only under Dermatologist’s followup. If NOT used appropriately, these drugs itself may cause skin darkening!!!
  1. SUNSCREEN - Consult your Dermatologist for sunscreen in Melasma
  2. Triple Combination therapy
  3. Skin Lightening agents
  4. Oral drugs
  5. Skin Peels
  6. Dermaroller
  7. Laser therapy

What are the Precautions while using Hydroquinone?

NOTE: Avoid using this drug without your Dermatologist’s opinion
  1. Hydroquinone has been used since ages for Skin Lightening. Many other countries have prevented their sales without a prescription. However in India, many Over the Counter Creams contain this drug in high concentration. Hence, always look for this ingredient.
  2. When you take this drug with a prescription, please stick to the guidelines as said by your Dermatologist. 
  3. Avoid using this medicine for more than 3 months. Since many patients continue to use this drug for a long time thinking that prolonged use will result in Skin Lightening. On the contrary, it may cause Skin Darkening if used for a long time.

FAQ in Melasma:

Question: Can Melasma be cured?
Answer: No. 100% cure is not possible 

 Question: How long does Melasma last?
Answer: It may persist for years. Seek Dermatologist advice if you are concerned to reduce the pigmentation 

 Question: Will my child develop Melasma? / Whether Melasma run in families?
Answer: No. 

 Question: How long does it take for the colour to fade after Child Birth?
Answer: Usually a few months. Rarely persists after years

 Question: Do I need to treat melasma if it occurs during Pregnancy?
Answer: Please Don’t get the melasma treated during Pregnancy, since it may affect your child.
Moreover, it DISAPPEARS COMPLETELY after childbirth. But if you are so much concerned, you may get it treated.

 Question: Whether the Melasma is dangerous?
Answer: No. Not at all. It’s just a cosmetic problem.

 Question: Doc I have darkening of skin over the face. Can it be Melasma?
Answer: Maybe. Melasma is one of the common cause of skin darkening over the face. There are numerous skin conditions which look like Melasma. So AVOID Self Diagnosis. Always get a Dermatologist’s opinion before starting treatment.

 Question: Do Sunscreen cure Melasma?
Answer: Sunscreen does prevent further darkening due to UV rays. And Melasma treatment is Never Complete without Sunscreen’s

 Question: Do melasma occur only in the face?
Answer: No. It may also occur around the nipples, abdomen and anogenital area.

If you have further queries, please leave it in the comments.

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SOURCE:
Standard Dermatology Books
Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

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