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What Causes Odd Pigmentation On Face?
Question: I am having some shades on my face looks like there are some areas are dark and some fair and some red
Brief Answer:
Melasma; sunscreen and pigment reducing cream
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
You seem to have developed Melasma. Melasma commonly presents with patches of pigmentation on face.
The condition is idiopathic in most cases apart from a few well known causes like pregnancy, oral contraceptive pills and painkillers.
Sunscreen is an essential part of management of melasma.
A effective sunscreen should be broad spectrum i.e it should protect against both UV A as well as UV B part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
A sunscreen with SPF 30 or more is considered to provide good protection. Neutrogena Ultrasheer Dry Touch sunblock (SPF 50+) is effective. It is available Over the counter.
The sunscreen should be applied in the right quantity for it to be effective e.g 3 ml Or roughly 1/2 teaspoon is adequate to cover both face and neck.
It should be reapplied every 2-3 hours for maximal efficacy, specially when outdoors.
At night you may use a pigment reducing cream contain one or more of the following active ingredients e.g kojic acid, glycolic acid, azaleic acid, hydroquinone, arbutin, tretinoin etc.
The mechanism of action of these agents is to either reduce synthesis of new melanin as well as exfoliate existing melanin.
You may also opt for a few sessions of chemical peeling from a dermatologist. Gycolic acid peel is quite suitable for melasma.
A series of sessions may be required, once every 2 weeks.
Melasma may recur after seemingly complete cure.
Maintenance treatment with regular sunscreen use and a maintenance pigment reducing cream is part of treatment regime of melasma.
Response to treatment may be slow and therefore requires patience.
Regards
Melasma; sunscreen and pigment reducing cream
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
You seem to have developed Melasma. Melasma commonly presents with patches of pigmentation on face.
The condition is idiopathic in most cases apart from a few well known causes like pregnancy, oral contraceptive pills and painkillers.
Sunscreen is an essential part of management of melasma.
A effective sunscreen should be broad spectrum i.e it should protect against both UV A as well as UV B part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
A sunscreen with SPF 30 or more is considered to provide good protection. Neutrogena Ultrasheer Dry Touch sunblock (SPF 50+) is effective. It is available Over the counter.
The sunscreen should be applied in the right quantity for it to be effective e.g 3 ml Or roughly 1/2 teaspoon is adequate to cover both face and neck.
It should be reapplied every 2-3 hours for maximal efficacy, specially when outdoors.
At night you may use a pigment reducing cream contain one or more of the following active ingredients e.g kojic acid, glycolic acid, azaleic acid, hydroquinone, arbutin, tretinoin etc.
The mechanism of action of these agents is to either reduce synthesis of new melanin as well as exfoliate existing melanin.
You may also opt for a few sessions of chemical peeling from a dermatologist. Gycolic acid peel is quite suitable for melasma.
A series of sessions may be required, once every 2 weeks.
Melasma may recur after seemingly complete cure.
Maintenance treatment with regular sunscreen use and a maintenance pigment reducing cream is part of treatment regime of melasma.
Response to treatment may be slow and therefore requires patience.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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