Melasma: What not to do when you have this skin condition
Melasma is a skin condition that is common among Singaporeans. Its symptoms are patches that are dark in color covering sun-exposed areas of the upper parts of the body like the face, neck, arms, or chest. Coined as the “mask of pregnancy,” melasma is diagnosed more in women who are pregnant, but anyone can be affected by this condition, including men. With melasma, it is important that you have an understanding of how to manage it and know about the best melasma treatments in Singapore so it doesn’t worsen.
Understanding Melasma
Melasma is one of the many types of hyperpigmentation. This skin condition is caused by an overproduction of melanin, which is the pigment that gives the skin its colour. Due to the excess production of melanin, patches of dark skin appear on its surface, otherwise known as the epidermis.
The symptoms of melasma may be akin to other types of pigmentation conditions. Hence, it is crucial that, when searching for the best melasma treatment, your skin is assessed and properly diagnosed by a specialist.
Factors that Cause Melasma
Despite many studies done, the main reason why melasma forms in the skin remains elusive to experts. However, there are various factors that have been linked to its occurrence:
- Changes in hormones: Hormonal imbalances, as observed in women during pregnancy, have been traced to have an influence on melasma formation. In addition, the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and contraceptives may also be a factor in its development.
- Genes: If your family has a history of melasma, then the likelihood of you getting it is high. The risk of developing melasma is also high in ethnicities that have darker skin tone.
- Skin irritation: Melasma can be triggered by skin irritation, which can be due to different environmental factors or skincare products, such as cosmetics.
- Sun exposure: Constant sun exposure without proper skin protection can stimulate excess melanin production in the skin, resulting in melasma. It can also exacerbate the existing dark patches in the skin.
What Not to Do When You Have Melasma
The management of melasma usually includes different approaches to lifestyle changes and skincare practices. It is also imperative that you have an idea of crucial things to avoid so as not to trigger your melasma from getting worse. Here are some tips about the things that you should not do to your skin when you have melasma:
- Do not easily give up on treatments. A great step to a successful treatment of melasma is consulting with an expert on this subject matter. Dermatologists can properly diagnose your skin and recommend a customised treatment plan on how to banish those pesky dark patches from your skin. Remember that melasma is a stubborn skin condition. The results of your treatment will not come overnight. Despite this, just continue and be patient and soon your skin will see improvements.
- Do not ignore any irritation in the skin. Trying on new skincare products places your skin at risk of getting irritated, especially when they have alcohol or strong fragrances. When this happens, immediately stop using the product to avoid damaging your skin, which can result in melasma. Use products that are gentle to your skin and allow it to recover if it suffers from any type of irritation like burning sensations, dryness, or redness. Avoid using products with high amounts of vitamin C and retinol until your skin is fully healed.
- Do not forget to wear protective clothing and accessories. Whether your skin is prone to developing melasma or not, one way to guard it from forming any kind of pigmentation is by wearing protective clothing and accessories. This is extremely important when you are frequently outdoors and the areas of your body which are highly at risk for developing melasma are directly exposed to the sun.
- Do not skip sunscreen. Protecting the skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun is an important skincare step that everyone should not skip everyday, particularly if you have melasma. Without sunscreen, your skin will be exposed to UV rays, which will trigger your skin to overproduce melanin and form new patches or make your existing melasma even darker. Sunscreen should be applied whether it is sunny, cloudy, or even when you are indoors. Choose broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Mineral sunscreen has ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are friendly to the skin.
- Do not over-exfoliate. Exfoliating has certain benefits to the skin as it removes the dead skin cells to make way for fresh skin to resurface. For individuals with melasma, exfoliation may bring out the worst in your skin instead of improving it. Exfoliating your skin with melasma can only irritate it and aggravate its condition.
- Do not undergo any invasive skin treatments without the supervision of a professional. There are many beauty salons and spas that offer “quick fixes” in their services, such as facials, intense light therapies, or lasers and, likewise, over-the-counter products that can be bought to treat pigmentation. While it can be tempting to take matters into your own hand when it comes to treating these pesky marks on your skin, doing so can only worsen their condition. It is best to let the experts handle your skin. There are various best melasma treatments in Singapore to deal with your dilemma.
- Do not use bleaching agents or skin lighteners. Skin lightening products are easily obtainable in the market nowadays. While these promise to give you lighter skin, using them to treat your melasma can be troublesome. Many of these skin lightening products have ingredients that can be harsh and cause skin irritation. An example of these ingredients are hydroquinone and steroids. To ensure that your skin does not undergo any further damage, consult with your healthcare provider.
Final word
Melasma can be challenging and frustrating, but with proper diagnosis, guidance and customised treatment plan in place, the chances of achieving clear skin is within reach. Your road to overcoming melasma does not only rely on your healthcare provider’s treatment, but also on your skincare habits. Remember to avoid certain things that can contribute to the development or worsening of your melasma.
Dr David Ng
One Face Clinic
1 Tras Link #02-03 Orchid Hotel
Singapore 078867
https://onefaceclinic.com/
+65 6222 2262