Sunlight causes, maintains and worsens melasma. The most important measure is therefore good, daily sun protection. The skin should be protected from the sun, even on cloudy days, after swimming and exercise. The face in particular must be shielded as well as possible. A good tip is to find a suitable day cream with sun protection factor (SPF 30-50). In sunny areas and seasons, covering sunglasses, the use of a cap/sun hat, and the additional use of sunscreen are recommended. The sunscreen should protect against UVA rays. If you have a darker skin type, a colored sunscreen with iron oxide (physical filter) that also protects against visible light is recommended. Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside, and repeat the application every two to three hours.
A well-hydrated skin forms the foundation for general skin health and the prevention of various skin conditions. Using suitable moisturizers will be able to strengthen the skin, reduce irritation and potentially speed up the normalization of sun damage and pigment spots.
Skin products, including moisturizers, should be gentle and fragrance-free. If a skin product causes burning/itching, as a sign of irritation, it should be avoided.
Treatment of melasma can be challenging and depends on skin type. Treatment options include whitening creams with, for example, vitamin A, hydroquinone and steroids. Pigmanorm is an example of a whitening cream and is widely used in melasma treatment. Furthermore, the use of creams with azelaic acid and niacinamide can have a whitening effect through regulated pigment production in the skin. It is important to emphasize that all treatment creams must be used as directed.
In addition to prescription treatment creams, chemical peeling can also be relevant in the treatment of melasma. The chemical peel must be superficial and used with extreme care. Incorrect/frequent use of peeling treatments can, in the worst case, lead to increased pigmentation.
Make-up can give an even skin tone and make melasma less visible. It can take months to years for the pigment spots to disappear, and it is therefore important to find make-up products that you tolerate and are satisfied with.
