Article One of Three in Series on Fighting Melasma

Do you see pictures of yourself and often cringe at the Delaware shaped spots on both of your temples? Or what about that brown spot on your forehead that resembles China? Does that bother you too?

These oddly-shaped dark spots are melasma. Although there are things you can do to prevent melasma and decrease existing discoloration most commonly found on the face, hands, and cleavage, there is no quick way to eliminate it. Despite this fact, there are still many things you can do that will improve the condition of your skin making you look younger and more rested.

Dealing with the sun and its dreaded affects on your skin

The sun’s UVB and UVA rays can cause skin cell damage that results in melasma. To protect itself skin cells produce excess melanin that then takes years to go away. For those that have spent a lot of time tanning or who may have had a few bad sunburns it is not uncommon for this excess in the skin to cause the brown spots to form.

You can protect your skin from future damage, but of course you can’t go back in time and undo all those afternoons on the beach, nor would you want to. To prevent your melasma from worsening, apply a sun block, limit your exposure to the sun, and wear protective clothing, like a hat.

Handling hormones and your skin changes

There is a clear link between the development of the brown spots and hormones. Because of high levels of estrogen in women men are not normally afflicted with melasma, though it’s not unheard of in men. Because of the number of women on the birth control pill, it is reported that melasma is more prevalent today. It may be worth talking to your doctor about changing your birth control pill to one that does not contain estrogen because in some cases melasma disappears after discontinued use of the pill.

Many women suffer from melasma during pregnancy as well. This is called the mask of pregnancy. The mask is likely to disappear after your pregnancy is over. Before using any products during pregnancy, consult your doctor.

The sun and hormones are just two of the factors in fighting melasma. More information on removing melasma from your skin is discussed in the second and third articles of the Fighting Melasma series.

Author Sara Musfeldt created SkinFitnessFacts.com to help people achieve fit skin. Her site has info on Is it melasma or a freckle? and melasma treatments.

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