Melasma is a hyperpigmentation that affects areas of the face, generating dark brown or grayish brown spots, with well-marked limits and an irregular shape. In addition to demonstrating a change in the patient’s quality of life, the disease negatively impacts self-esteem.
Predominantly in women — who account for 90% of cases — the appearance of melasma is related to multifactorial causes, which include thyroid dysfunction, hormonal changes, use of certain cosmetics and stress.
“It is common for patients to report in the office that they used whitening creams, but the stains returned. This is precisely due to the origin of the stain, which is not just an isolated hyperpigmentation point, but a symptom that something is not right in the body, characterizing it as a systemic disease, that is, that affects the entire organism”, explains the dermatologist Dr. Hellisse Bastos.
causes of melasma
According to the dermatologist, the disease is also associated with hypoestrogenism, common in women who use contraceptives or undergo constant stress peaks. “Excess estrogen, as well as altered cortisol due to stress levels, alters the ACTH axis, hypothalamus, and causes the body to produce more melanocyte-releasing hormones,” warns Dr. Hellisse.
Excess insulin, deregulated estrogen, wrong diet and based on industrialized products and surfaced stress are some of the factors that must be observed and balanced in a treatment for melasma. “Contrary to common sense, melasma does not appear just because you stopped using sunscreen, but because of a series of untreated deficiencies”.
melasma treatment
If it has not been possible to prevent the appearance of spots, the dermatologist recommends seeking out a specialist for treatment before using any whitening cream or method, in addition to protecting the skin well.
“When the hyperpigmentation point already exists, then the use of sunscreen becomes a great ally so that this stain does not increase, since exposure causes an increase in melanin production. However, even with the problem, it is not recommended to stop exposing yourself to the sun, since its lack causes vitamin D deficiency”, he warns.
The replacement and balance of the presence of vitamins D, B12, C, the latter being a very powerful antioxidant, are examples of some of the deficiencies that can impact the problem and must be treated.
In treatment, in addition to numerous options that are increasingly modernized, such as lasers, whitening creams, among others, it is necessary to associate comprehensive care with the body’s health, replacing and balancing deficiencies so that the stains do not return, recommends the doctor.
Melasma is a hyperpigmentation that affects areas of the face, generating dark brown or grayish brown spots, with well-marked limits and an irregular shape. In addition to demonstrating a change in the patient’s quality of life, the disease negatively impacts self-esteem.
Predominantly in women — who account for 90% of cases — the appearance of melasma is related to multifactorial causes, which include thyroid dysfunction, hormonal changes, use of certain cosmetics and stress.
“It is common for patients to report in the office that they used whitening creams, but the stains returned. This is precisely due to the origin of the stain, which is not just an isolated hyperpigmentation point, but a symptom that something is not right in the body, characterizing it as a systemic disease, that is, that affects the entire organism”, explains the dermatologist Dr. Hellisse Bastos.
causes of melasma
According to the dermatologist, the disease is also associated with hypoestrogenism, common in women who use contraceptives or undergo constant stress peaks. “Excess estrogen, as well as altered cortisol due to stress levels, alters the ACTH axis, hypothalamus, and causes the body to produce more melanocyte-releasing hormones,” warns Dr. Hellisse.
Excess insulin, deregulated estrogen, wrong diet and based on industrialized products and surfaced stress are some of the factors that must be observed and balanced in a treatment for melasma. “Contrary to common sense, melasma does not appear just because you stopped using sunscreen, but because of a series of untreated deficiencies”.
melasma treatment
If it has not been possible to prevent the appearance of spots, the dermatologist recommends seeking out a specialist for treatment before using any whitening cream or method, in addition to protecting the skin well.
“When the hyperpigmentation point already exists, then the use of sunscreen becomes a great ally so that this stain does not increase, since exposure causes an increase in melanin production. However, even with the problem, it is not recommended to stop exposing yourself to the sun, since its lack causes vitamin D deficiency”, he warns.
The replacement and balance of the presence of vitamins D, B12, C, the latter being a very powerful antioxidant, are examples of some of the deficiencies that can impact the problem and must be treated.
In treatment, in addition to numerous options that are increasingly modernized, such as lasers, whitening creams, among others, it is necessary to associate comprehensive care with the body’s health, replacing and balancing deficiencies so that the stains do not return, recommends the doctor.