Is there dirt on my face?
Melasma is a common pigmentation issue that many women are left dealing with. While some may know it as pregnancy mask, melasma can occur regardless of being pregnant or not. The main reasons for melasma are hormone changes: new birth control, pregnancy, etc. and sun exposure. The underlying reason to melasma is most likely hormonal but things like the sun and heat will trigger the condition. Here are some ways to combat it:
1) Figure out the underlying cause
Have you started a new birth control? Have you started on hormone therapies? Are you pregnant? Are you on antibiotics?
Fluctuation in certain hormones can cause melasma, which is why we often see this during pregnancy. It may also occur when stopping or starting any hormonal pills.
2) Treatments
While there are several products out there to treat melasma, my top recommendations are products containing retinols, hydroquinone, kojic acid and vitamin c. All these products are brightening and/or exfoliating agents and therefore will be beneficial in lightening up the dark patches.
3) PROTECT
It is so important to prevent the sun from damaging the condition even more and this may require extreme diligence. The most important way to clear up melasma is by being consistent with your sunscreen. To prevent against melasma, you need a sunscreen that blocks not only the sun’s rays, but also its light and heat, such as one that includes zinc or titanium dioxide.
Summer is approaching quick making these steps that much more important to follow. Melasma is a common pigmentation issue but there are things to help it. To PREVENT you must PROTECT and now is the best time to start! Cheers to getting that “dirt” off our faces.
