Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Suggest Treatment For Hyper Pigmentation
Hello Doctor, I live in India, Bangalore Age : 43 years I have hyperpigmentation for the past 15-16 years. When i was pregnant for my first child which is in 1999 it started slightly on the nose and it spread to cheeks but it was light. I was using melalite, with that it was only lightening but it never went away completely. During my 2nd pregnancy in 2010 it increased and spread to upper lips, upper eye brows and now this year it spread across my forehead. I met couple of dermatologists they said it wont go away completely and to use sunscreen creams throughout the day which is not helping. Is there any solution to this? Thanks,
Mon, 27 Oct 2014
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
You have a condition known as Melasma. Melasma can present light brown to dark brown to bluish pigmentation over the cheek bones/malar area, nose, forehead, upper lips etc
The pigmentation may vary in extent of involvement as well as in intensity from light brown to dark brown or even bluish, depending on whether the pigment is confined just to the upper layer of skin/epidermis (light brown) or it involves both the upper as well as deeper layers (dark brown to bluish).
It is idiopathic in most of the cases. However, there are a few well known causes of melasma such as oral contraceptive pills, pregnancy and NSAIDs etc.
Sunscreen is an essential part in the management of any facial pigmentation including melasma.
I would suggest you to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, throughout the day and re-apply every 2-3 hours.
It should have both UV A as well as UV B coverage.
A broad spectrum sunscreen that has a minimum spf of 30 or more, would be suitable.
You may find a suitable sunscreen OTC from a drug store Or you may also get it prescribed from a dermatologist.
At night you may use a skin lightening cream, containing one or more of the following active ingredients e.g Azaleic acid, Tretinoin, Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Arbutin, Glycolic acid, licorice extract, Niacinamide, Vit C etc.
These are prescription products and therefore you need to talk to your dermatologist.
Along with the creams, you may also opt for a few sessions of chemical peeling from your dermatologist.
Melasma may take time to respond and you have to be patient with the treatment and follow up regularly with a dermatologist.
Your dermatologist might change or modify treatment according to the response.
Lastly, Melasma can recur therefore you have to be on a maintenance regimen. It is important to use a sunscreen, every 2-3 hours, specially outdoors, throughout the day and a maintenance skin lightening cream once daily at night.
You may take sessions of chemical peeling once a month to maintain the improvement.
Regards
You have a condition known as Melasma. Melasma can present light brown to dark brown to bluish pigmentation over the cheek bones/malar area, nose, forehead, upper lips etc
The pigmentation may vary in extent of involvement as well as in intensity from light brown to dark brown or even bluish, depending on whether the pigment is confined just to the upper layer of skin/epidermis (light brown) or it involves both the upper as well as deeper layers (dark brown to bluish).
It is idiopathic in most of the cases. However, there are a few well known causes of melasma such as oral contraceptive pills, pregnancy and NSAIDs etc.
Sunscreen is an essential part in the management of any facial pigmentation including melasma.
I would suggest you to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, throughout the day and re-apply every 2-3 hours.
It should have both UV A as well as UV B coverage.
A broad spectrum sunscreen that has a minimum spf of 30 or more, would be suitable.
You may find a suitable sunscreen OTC from a drug store Or you may also get it prescribed from a dermatologist.
At night you may use a skin lightening cream, containing one or more of the following active ingredients e.g Azaleic acid, Tretinoin, Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Arbutin, Glycolic acid, licorice extract, Niacinamide, Vit C etc.
These are prescription products and therefore you need to talk to your dermatologist.
Along with the creams, you may also opt for a few sessions of chemical peeling from your dermatologist.
Melasma may take time to respond and you have to be patient with the treatment and follow up regularly with a dermatologist.
Your dermatologist might change or modify treatment according to the response.
Lastly, Melasma can recur therefore you have to be on a maintenance regimen. It is important to use a sunscreen, every 2-3 hours, specially outdoors, throughout the day and a maintenance skin lightening cream once daily at night.
You may take sessions of chemical peeling once a month to maintain the improvement.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....