Melasma

Melasma

Causes of Melasma

The formation of abnormal color melanocyte cells, leading to the manifestation of brown marks on the skin, is caused by a variety of factors, such as exposure to ultra violet (UV) rays in sunlight, hormonal imbalances, and heredity. Over time, the accumulation of the black pigment (Melanin) results in the appearance of sheets or bands of clear brown pigment on the skin. The areas most likely to be affected are the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and forehead.

Melasma may be caused by a variety of factors, including the use of certain drugs (hormones, birth control pills), genetics, certain substances, inflammation stimulants, heat and exposure to sunlight.

No matter how often you apply medicine or sunscreen, it is impossible to guarantee 100% protection from the sun's harmful rays. If you are exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time or frequently, you may experience melasma, freckles, wrinkles, or even skin cancer.

The chance of developing melasma is higher in women than in men due to the influence of female hormones. During pregnancy, taking birth control pills, or taking hormones during menopause can further increase the risk of melasma in women.

Melasma Treatment and Care

1. To protect yourself from direct sunlight, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 PA+++ or higher and wear protective items such as hats, umbrellas, and sunglasses.
2. The best way to treat melasma is to use effective drugs that can control the production of melanin, eat anti-oxidant vitamins that are free of mercury, and reduce effective pigmentation. These drugs should be safe and have few side effects. With this effective treatment, melasma can be faded by 80-90%, and other treatments can be used to further increase the efficiency of the treatment.

1. AHA Treatment
2. Treatment lonto, Phono, Microdermabrasion
3. Pigmented Laser such as ND Yag, VPL/IPL

A dermatologist is required for the most efficient use of the product with no side effects or risks to safety.

Freckles

Freckles and black spots have different characteristics, namely

Freckles, sometimes referred to as "black spots," are small dark spots on the skin.

Freckles are small, shallow brown spots that are more common in people with lighter skin tones. They tend to appear most often on the area of the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose, but they can also be found all over the face, arms, neck, chest, and even outside of clothing. The cause of freckles is prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Nevus (Ota and Ori)

Ota nevus is a skin condition that affects around 20-30% of people in countries such as Asia, Thailand, and Japan. Unlike freckles and melasma, it is characterized by a bluish-gray spot with distinct boundaries. It is most commonly found on the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose. In addition, Ota nevus can also occur on mucous membranes such as the conjunctiva and palate of the mouth, while the ori nevus only occurs on normal skin.

Causes of Ota and Ori Nevi

The precise reason for the symptom remains a mystery. It can develop naturally from birth or appear in adulthood and tends to become increasingly apparent with age.

Treatment

Treatment of black spots from “freckles”

1. Whitening drugs can be used to stimulate the creation of new skin cells and reduce skin pigmentation.
2. A concentrated acid solution can be used to make freckled areas flaky and peel off, but should only be used by a medical professional to avoid scarring.
3. Drugs can be delivered deeper into the skin than usual to lighten it.
4. Laser light therapy, such as Ruby Laser, Nd Yag Laser and IPL, can be used to affect the pigment, but should only be done by a specialized dermatologist to ensure maximum efficiency and no side effects. After the laser treatment, the freckles will scab and fall off within one week.

Treatment (Ota and Ori)

Dermatologists specializing in laser treatments can utilize ruby laser or Q-Switched Nd-YAG laser to reduce the melanin in the skin. On average, each treatment will improve the skin by 20-30%, though multiple treatments are generally necessary, spaced 1-3 months apart.

Tips

• If you notice any dark spots on your face, it is important to consult a dermatologist in order to properly diagnose and effectively treat the underlying cause.

“To prevent and treat skin conditions, it is essential to avoid sunlight exposure as much as possible.”

Best wishes from Skin and laser center

 Vibhavadi Hospital Tel. 0-2561-1111 press 1