Melasma is a skin condition that causes brown, gray-brown, or darker patches to appear on the face. It usually manifests itself as patches on the cheeks, forehead, nose, upper lip, and chin. Although most cases of melasma are not dangerous, the discoloration can take some time to fade and may return after treatment.
Understanding the causes of melasma is important for choosing the right melasma treatment and managing the risk of recurrence.. Various factors, such as hormonal imbalance, sunlight exposure, heat, genetics, and lifestyle, can cause melasma. Given that melasma is a chronic, recurring condition, one should be aware of the factors that might trigger it.
Causes of Melasma
Melasma results from increased melanocyte activity, the cells responsible for melanin production. This phenomenon happens for various reasons; hormonal imbalance, UV radiation, and visible light can cause increased pigmentation.
There are various factors that may trigger melasma or aggravate it. Different people may react to them in different ways.
Melasma is one form of hyperpigmentation. Understanding different pigmentation conditions can help identify when professional pigmentation treatments may be appropriate.
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Sun Exposure and Ultraviolet Rays
One of the main causes of melasma is sun exposure. UV radiation stimulates the production of melanin as a protective response by the body. Melasma occurs when the skin reacts to UV rays with uneven melanin production, resulting in dark patches on the skin.
Even short periods outside may worsen the condition when the skin is highly sensitive to sunlight. Repeated exposure may make already formed patches darker.
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Hormones
Hormones have a significant impact on melasma, especially in females. Estrogen and progesterone may affect melanocytes, causing the skin to respond to ultraviolet rays and other factors that may lead to skin pigmentation.
Melasma may be provoked by hormonal changes during pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Nevertheless, not all people who have such changes develop melasma.
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Genetic Predisposition
The genetic predisposition might make one more vulnerable to developing the condition. Melasma is more common in those with a family history of melasma; however, it does not run in all families.
In addition, people with medium or dark skin color tend to develop melasma due to increased melanocyte activity in response to certain pigment-producing stimuli. Nevertheless, melasma can occur in any skin type.
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Heat and Visible Light
The sunlight includes more than UV. Visible light, especially high-energy visible light, can be another factor causing the pigmentation disorder in those who are more vulnerable to it. In other words, protection against only UV light cannot always help.
Moreover, heat can worsen melasma in some individuals; however, its effect is individual.
Why Is It Possible for Melasma to Reoccur?
Another very frustrating aspect about melasma is that despite fading, the pigmentation can always come back. This is because treatment helps minimize the visible signs of melanin production but cannot fully eliminate the skin’s predisposition to excessive melanin production.
In general, melasma is a disease of a chronic nature and requires continuous treatment. Even if the skin looks clearer, melanocytes can still be sensitive to hormonal changes, sunlight, and other triggers.
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Treatment May Not Eliminate All Triggers
The majority of melasma treatments aim to reduce excess pigmentation and restore skin color. However, they do not eliminate the trigger factors causing the problem.
It is possible that the pigmentation will disappear with the advised topical treatment, but then reappear due to constant exposure to sunlight.
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Inadequate Sun Protection
Using inadequate amounts or no sun protection, or forgetting to reapply the product, while spending significant time in the sun, may cause pigment formation. The sun’s UVA rays can damage the skin even in winter or on an overcast day.
It is recommended to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more daily. Iron oxides may provide additional protection against visible light and may be helpful in treating melasma.
Following a consistent skincare routine is important for managing pigmentation. Our summer skincare routine guide provides additional advice on sunscreen use and protecting skin from sun exposure.
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Hormonal Factors
The causes of melasma may continue to work even after improvement of the condition due to hormonal changes like pregnancy and the intake of hormonal contraception.
If the condition is related to hormones, the areas may change their size depending on the hormone levels. The use of hormones should not be stopped without consulting the healthcare provider.
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Termination of Treatment Before Pigmentation Starts Diminishing
Some individuals stop using their prescribed skincare regimen as soon as pigmentation starts fading. The skin might become more visible for some time, but not taking any maintenance steps increases the risk of recurrence.
Melasma requires two-step treatment: fading of pigmentation and then its maintenance. The doctor can advise on which products to use and how often to use them to avoid skin irritation.
- Applying Aggressive or Unauthorized Treatments
Hoping to eliminate dark spots quickly, patients might end up worsening their skin condition. Aggressive chemical peeling, unnecessary exfoliation, inappropriate laser treatments, and unauthorized bleaching products may irritate the skin or worsen pigmentation.
Certain procedures may be considered for pigmentation under professional supervision. Learn more about laser toning treatment and why suitability depends on individual skin characteristics.
The advice of specialists becomes crucial, especially for darker skin tones, due to the risk of inflammatory marks left after the procedure.
When to See a Dermatologist
If you have pigmentation problems that do not go away, recur, or do not respond despite following an effective skincare regimen, it would be ideal to visit a dermatologist to determine whether you have melasma or another skin pigmentation problem, depending on your skin type.
Melasma can sometimes be confused with other pigmentation concerns. Understanding the differences between acne scars and pigmentation can help patients recognise why accurate diagnosis is essential.
Some treatment methods may involve the use of topicals, a properly chosen chemical peel or some specific laser treatments. However, there are different skin types, so not all methods will work for everyone.
Depending on the type and severity of pigmentation, a dermatologist may recommend topical care or carefully selected skin lightening treatments to address uneven skin tone.
Some treatments will aggravate the problem if not done properly. Therefore, it is important to have realistic expectations about the results. Those interested in learning more about skin and aesthetic care options can visit the Kolors Healthcare website.
Conclusion
Melasma occurs for a number of reasons, including sunlight exposure, hormonal influences, genetics, visible light, and other factors that affect pigment production. The recurrence of the problem is mainly due to the skin’s sensitivity to the triggers mentioned above, even after the spots have lightened.
It will take more than just one treatment in order to deal with this condition. Proper daily skincare, sunscreen use, and other measures can help control the recurrence of melasma and sustain results.
