Saturday 30 July 2011

Melasma - Why OTC Creams Don't Work

By Cindy Harmon


Melasma is a skin condition distinguished by patchy, grayish-brown discoloration on facial areas that are frequently bare from the sun, such as the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Although not a critical condition nearly all of the time, it cries out for treatment particularly as it affects more women than men.

Let's make this clear: OTC creams can not make melasma disappear. Most women think that beauty and whitening creams can do so. They can't. What we should do is see a dermatologist to understand its cause and to know the appropriate treatment.

In most Asian women, the condition is from from exposure to the sun. Thus, women are suggested to frequently use an umbrella or a hat or to stay inside when the heat of the sun is at its peak. Also, putting on a facial lotion with SPF 30 may protect against the harmful UV rays.

But the sun is not the only one to blame. Melasma can also be caused by hereditary and hormone imbalance, especially during pregnancy, which is why it is also sometimes named the "mask of pregnancy." There are also instances when it is a symptom of skin cancer. So no matter how inconsequential they seem, don't ignore the signs and consult a physician first before self-treating it.

Doctors may apply scientifically established medical-grade agents that can lighten and even curb the melanocytes responsible for the skin condition. These include Intense Anti-aging Vitamin C serums, Epiquin Micro lightening cream, Triluma cream and the Cosmelan Painless Depigmentation Peel.

Some patients choose the application of Medlite C6 laser, a well-known laser system that effectively reduces melasma load gently after five to ten sittings. The effectiveness of this operation in patients is verified through objective photography.

Women normally buy costly make-up foundation powders and apply thick make-up to hide this skin imperfection daily. And although this method can conceal the condition in the meantime, it does not get rid of the problem. This is just time-consuming and pricey in the long run. To treat melasma permanently, see a dermatologist and get the appropriate treatment.




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