Doctors often use hydroquinone as the first line of treatment for melasma. Hydroquinone is available as a lotion, cream, or gel. A person can apply the hydroquinone product directly to the patches of skin that are discolored. Hydroquinone is available as a prescription.
Papaya Both raw and ripe papaya are used for curing various skin disorders. Papain, present in papayas, causes them to be the best home remedy for melasma. Mash a few pieces of papaya and mix it with honey. Apply the paste on affected areas and leave it for 20 minutes.
Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment within a few months. Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light.
Triple combination cream (hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroid) remains the most effective treatment for melasma, as well as hydroquinone alone. Chemical peels and laser- and light-based devices have mixed results. Oral tranexamic acid is a promising new treatment for moderate and severe recurrent melasma.
Some foods contain chemical hormones that can aggravate hormone-triggered hyperpigmentation. Examples of foods that contain potentially hyperpigmentation-causing hormones are soy products, black beans, flaxseed and chickpeas, all of which contain estrogen.
Conclusions: Full-face iontophoresis of vitamin C appears to be an effective short-term treatment for melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Melasma patches are brown or grayish-brown. They may form on your upper lip, or on other parts of your face or neck. They're often symmetrical. They may appear under each nostril, or on your entire upper lip, giving it a darkened, mustache-like appearance.
Thyroid abnormalities were reported to occur with melasma. Skin pigmentation is a common manifestation in nutritional deficiencies and frequently associated with deficiency of vitamin B12 .
Sun exposure: Exposure to the sun's rays can make melasma worse and this includes being in the heat and visible light. It doesn't have to be a very hot day out, but if the sun is beaming on your skin, the melasma can immediately get worse.
Conclusion: Oral TXA is a safe and efficacious treatment for refractory melasma. It should be considered in cases that are unresponsive to topical hydroquinone and combination topical therapy over a period of approximately 12 weeks and without contraindications to oral TXA.
Topical creams and gels are the first-line treatment options for melasma. Hydroquinone is a topical medication that lightens the skin. Hydroquinone is only available as a prescription through your doctor. Previously it had been available over the counter but the status was changed in 2021 following a ruling by the FDA.
By controlling these melanocytes, your skin will become more evenly toned over time. It takes about four weeks on average for the ingredient to take effect. It may take several months of consistent use before you see full results.
A. As mentioned before, in most cases, melasma goes away on its own without treatment. It can fade away slowly if you stop taking birth control pills or undergo hormone replacement therapy. Melasma triggered by pregnancy, on the other hand, may fade after a few months after the birth of the baby.
Though vitamin E has been used in various over-the-counter skin lightening creams, there is insufficient evidence on whether vitamin E oil can remove dark spots. The only evidence is that it can protect from the damaging effects of the sun and reduce depigmentation in melasma.
Eat foods that contain vitamin C and E. These antioxidant nutrients help repair sun damage to the skin that can cause melasma. These vitamins are found in foods such as citrus fruits, kiwis, nuts, almonds, brightly colored vegetables and in fish.
The relationship of Vitamin D3 deficiency and increased melanin production that leads to appearances of facial pigments such as melasma, unevenness and hyper pigmented patches.
Called melasma, this condition is believed to be treatable through the use of topical vitamin E. Studies show that hyperpigmentation may be only moderately affected by using topical vitamin E oil. The most effective way to use vitamin E to treat hyperpigmentation is to pair it with vitamin C.
Causes and risk factors of melasma
This means birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all trigger melasma. Stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be causes of melasma. Additionally, sun exposure can cause melasma because ultraviolet rays affect the cells that control pigment (melanocytes).
A 2017 study on pregnant women with melasma found using a topical, liposome-encapsulated aloe vera preparation significantly improved their melasma.
Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin. Vitamin B12 also promotes collagen formation while supporting the growth of new skin cells.
Vitamin D is one of the best vitamins for your skin, along with vitamins C, E, and K. Making sure you get enough vitamins can keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. This could translate to a reduction in: dark spots.
This study showed that topical zinc therapy has little beneficial effect in reducing the severity of melasma, and as a single agent, its effectiveness is much less than that of hydroquinone.