A skin condition characterized by blue, brown or gray, or freckle-like spots, melasma has a significant influence on the quality of life, especially for those with confidence issues. Melasma is more common in those with darker skin than those with lighter skin because they have more active melanocytes. 

Unfortunately, the exact cause of melasma is unknown. Some studies suggest that It most likely happens when the skin's color produces cells (melanocytes) that create too much pigment. Or that this condition is caused by hormonal changes which can be commonly seen in pregnant women, referred to as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy. Melasma can also be triggered by hormone replacement therapy and birth control medications, and by skin care products as this condition may intensify  if you use skin care products that can irritate your skin.

Sun Exposure

But sun exposure is one of the most prevalent causes of melasma. There are various theories as to why this is the case, but they all boil down to UV radiation from the sun causing the release of specific "proinflammatory" molecules, which stimulate the skin's melanocytes to overproduce pigment. This increased pigment production might give your skin a tan, but it can also exacerbate or darken your melasma.

As a result, many people discover that their melasma flares up when they are exposed to a lot of sunshine.

In addition to sun exposure, extremely bright artificial light can exacerbate melasma. Melasma can also be aggravated by heat, which is technically known as infrared radiation.

Unfortunately, curing melasma might be difficult for those who work in these types of environments. 

Treatment and Solutions

According to dermatologists, the solution for those suffering from this skin condition is to have an ample amount of UV protection, slow the development of melanocytes, prevent the creation of melanin and melanosomes, and encourage the breakdown of melanin pigments by keratinocytes or melanophages. In fact, one treatment espoused by doctors is through oral procyanidin, the principal active ingredient in bark extract from the French maritime pine, and which also comprises polymer chains. In addition, procyanidin for melasma possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help the skin repair itself to make it cleaner and whiter. 

Some of the products that doctors recommend include Premium Japanese White Shinno cream which is well-known for its ability to eradicate melasma swiftly, even if it has been present for decades. White Shinno promotes Melanin breakdown beneath the skin, dissolving melasma from the inside out, and assisting in the even coloring, smoothing, and whitening of the skin, as well as excellent skin recovery.

Ideal for melasma and other dark spots, Hydroquinone 4 - cream is also used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and other types of skin discolouration. This product may also be used to lighten the underarm bikini line, knees, and elbows.

Another is Pynocare which contains procyanidin for melasma. The first and only oral treatment clinically shown to prevent this skin condition or dark spot development in as little as eight weeks, Pynocare also contains MSCC (Melasma Skin Clear Complexion Complex) composition. Unlike creams, lotions, and gels, this penetrates deep into the skin's interior layers to help balance melanin levels, reducing the appearance of dark spots in a short amount of time.

In addition, because melasma is a medical illness that begins on the inside and necessitates a unique treatment that goes well beyond topical, Pynocare's Actisome Technology allows those suffering from this condition to finally let the light into their skin, making the therapy more effective. Why do you have to use treatments that require breaking down the skin's defences when you can simply take Pynocare twice a day for 8 weeks and observe a noticeably fairer, whiter and cleaner face with no black spots? Pynocare is a dark spot treatment that may be purchased over-the-counter. It's also FDA-approved and proven to be both effective and safe to use.

Although melasma may sometimes be difficult to treat, there are skin care products (such as those mentioned above) that can give your skin a lighter and clearer glow. And always take precaution - wear a hat with a wide brim when out in the open sun!

Get a skin-deep understanding of melasma here.