Melasma Treatment: The More You Know
The more you know on Melasma the easier it will be to find a Melasma treatment. This condition affects the skin and is usually most prominent on the face. The majority of those affected are women who are in their child birthing years. Do not be mislead, males and other areas of the body can be affected with the condition also.
The facial region is usually the area generally affected with this skin condition. It is characterized by patches of discoloration ranging in color from brown, tan and blue-gray. It has not yet been determined what the exact cause of this condition is but the medical community tends to believe it arises from exposure to the sun or hormones from medication or pregnancy.
Men are not as susceptible to this skin condition as a woman; which explains why ninety percent of all cases are affecting women. Approximately six-million women suffer from this skin condition, which is usually found on the upper lip, forehead, cheeks or jaw. Make no mistake; this condition can affect other parts of the body as well.
This skin condition like so many other conditions has different forms or types. There is the form known as epidermal which is distinguished by excess melanin in the top layers of the skin; the form known as dermal which is distinguished by melanophages in the dermis; the third and most common form is known as mixed which is distinguished by a combination of both epidermal and dermal and the final form is unnamed and is distinguished by melanocytes, which is more common in dark skinned individuals. Each form has specific distinguishing attributes and characteristics.
Visual inspection of the skin by a professional can usually determine whether the condition is present. Determining the form is done by using a special light. On very rare occasions when the visual inspection or special light cannot help in determining the form a skin biopsy can be performed.
Treatment can be done in several ways but the most common is by the use of a hydroquinone cream. If the cream is prescribed it usually has greater than a two percent concentration of HQ; it can be purchased over the counter but the concentration of HQ will be two percent or less. Sunscreen can also be used in treating the condition along with avoiding prolonged sun exposure. There are times when the skin condition will clear up without treatment.
Treatment can also come in the form of chemical peels, microdermabrasion or laser therapy; however none of these have quite the same results as the HQ creams. The most used and highly recommended treatment is the cream. Melasma treatment does exist for those suffering from this skin condition.
If you're searching for in southern California for a cosmetic surgeon you should check out Richard Weiss MD, Newport Beach's noted expert in laser skin renewal procedures. From unwanted freckles to acne scars, he will get rid of blemishes and renew your skin's healthy look with laser treatments, chemical peels and other proven cosmetic procedures.
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