What are the best treatments for melasma? The most common melasma therapies include 2% hydroquinone (HQ) creams like the over-the-counter products Esoterica and Porcelana and prescription-strength medications such as Obagi Clear, NeoCutis Blanche, and 4% hydroquinone.
Doctors often use hydroquinone as the first line of treatment for melasma. Hydroquinone is available as a lotion, cream, or gel. It works by lightening the color of the skin patches. A person can apply the hydroquinone product directly to the patches of skin that are discolored or uneven.
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.
There is no one best treatment for melasma
Often, the most effective treatment combines sun protection with medications that you apply to your skin — and sometimes a procedure. If you want to treat melasma, be sure to ask your dermatologist about the cost of treatment.
Ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the sun are key in making melasma worse. Other possible causes of melasma include: Antiseizure medications: Drugs that prevent you from having seizures may be a cause of 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.
Results: All patients showed improvement in melasma on both sides of the face. The side receiving the kojic acid did better. More than half of the melasma cleared in 24/40 (60%) patients receiving kojic acid compared to 19/40 (47.5%) patients receiving the gel without kojic acid.
SkinCeuticals Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser combines glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid, making it a powerful face wash for melasma that purifies and brightens the skin, and is suitable for all skin types.
A 2017 study on pregnant women with melasma found using a topical, liposome-encapsulated aloe vera preparation significantly improved their melasma.
The most effective treatment for melasma combines three prescription-strength medications into one easy-to-use cream. The key to preventing the worsening or recurrence of melasma is consistency: use your treatment as prescribed, and protect your skin from the sun even on cloudy days.
Some proponents claim that potatoes can help lighten dark spots related to skin freckles, sunspots, and melasma due to a skin-bleaching enzyme called catecholase. In these so-called remedies, raw pieces of potato are blended with other acidic ingredients like yogurt and lemon juice to create a lightening face mask.
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.
"Among the most common are bleaching or fading creams, with ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid and retinoids. Additionally, light therapies such as IPL, or intense pulse light therapy, can accelerate the reversal of hyperpigmentation."
Melasma is divided into three types: epidermal, dermal, and mixed melasma.
There isn't any evidence yet that coconut oil can definitively help treat melasma. However, one study found that coconut oil may have anti-inflammatory and skin-protective benefits, both of which can help improve hyperpigmentation (Varma).
Other home remedies may actually make melasma worse. Don't apply things like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, raw onion, or garlic to your skin. These highly acidic ingredients can irritate your skin, which can lead to darkening of the very spots you're trying to lighten.
activated charcoal may be effective for melasma, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
Most people with melasma do not need treatment. Melasma may fade away slowly if you stop taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. If melasma appeared while you were pregnant, it may go away a few months after you have the baby. If melasma doesn't fade or it bothers you, it can be treated.