Melasma: What is it, Types, Symptoms, Causes, Laser Treatment, and Cost

Does your skin look pigment? Do you feel embarrassed to go out in public due to brown or greyish patches on your skin? Are you searching for the best melasma treatment in Delhi? Well, then you are on the right page. This article discusses Melasma, its symptoms, causes, types of therapy, and explains the cost of melasma treatment in Delhi.

What is Melasma?

Melasma is a pigmentation disorder of the skin. In this disorder, the skin appears as patches of brown colour or grey colour. It mainly occurs on the face. Melasma primarily occurs in women than in men. People with brown skin, chiefly in areas where there is high sun exposure, are more susceptible to Melasma.

Some of the common areas where Melasma mainly occurs are

• Upper lip
• Nose Bridge
• Cheeks
• Forehead

Melasma spots also appear on other body areas, especially those exposed to a large amount of sunlight. These areas mainly include the neck, shoulders, and forearms. Few skin specialists offer the best melasma treatment in Delhi.

What are the symptoms of Melasma?

The primary symptom of Melasma is discoloured patches on the skin. These patches on your skin are darker than your skin colour. It usually appears on the face and spreads evenly, with the same number of patches on both sides of the face.

Other portions of your body that are exposed to sun also develop Melasma. Although these patches do not cause any physical harm, you might feel aware because of the way it looks. If you see all these signs of Melasma, then you must visit your healthcare professional. They might advise you to consult a dermatologist specialising in skin disorders treatment and offer the best melasma treatment in Delhi.

What are the types of Melasma?

Based on the deepness of the pigment, there are three types of Melasma. The depth is determined by using a wood lamp that gives black light. Three kinds of Melasma are

• Epidermal Melasma: This type of Melasma possesses dark brown colour patches with a well-defined border. It appears clear when observed under dim black light. They also respond well to treatment sometimes.
• Dermal Melasma: Here, the patches are light brown or blue with a blurred border. IT does not appear different under black light and does not react well to the treatment.
• Mixed Melasma: It is the most common type of Melasma of all three. IT has both blue and brown patches and shows a combined pattern under blacklight, and shows an excellent response to melasma treatment.

The cost of Melasma treatment in Delhi can vary depending upon its types and procedure. However, most skin specialists in rohini, Delhi suggest undergoing Laser treatment for Melasma in Delhi is the safest and effective procedure.

What are the causes of Melasma?

While dermatologist in delhi till now have not fully understood the reason behind Melasma, it might be because of the malfunctioning of melanocytes present in the skin.

Some studies have proved that Melasma occurs because of two important causes: radiation and hormones. Radiation might be ultraviolet, visible light, or Infrared light that makes Melasma worse. Some of the other possible reasons include:

• Medications for anti-seizure: Drugs that help in preventing seizures can be a cause of Melasma. One of the examples of anti-seizure medicine is clobazam.
• Birth control pills: Melasma has been seen in peoples using oral contraceptive oils containing estrogen and progesterone.
• Estrogen or Diethylstilbestrol: These are most often used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Diethylstilbestrol is one of the synthetic forms of the hormone estrogen. There also exists a pattern between enhanced estrogen and Melasma.
• Genetic factors: A large number of people having Melasma have someone in their family suffering from Melasma.
• Hypothyroidism: When your thyroid gland is inactive, it also causes Melasma.
• LED screens: Melasma is also caused by the LED lights emitted from your television, cell phone, tablet, or laptop.
• Pregnancy: It is still not known why a mask of pregnancy occurs in pregnant women. However, most of the experts have theorised that enhanced levels of estrogen and melanocyte-stimulating hormones in the third trimester of pregnancy has an important role.
• Your hormones: Two critical hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, play an essential role in causing Melasma in some peoples. After menopause, women sometimes secrete more progesterone. These hormones sometimes lead to Melasma.
• Make-up products, skincare products, and some soaps: Some cosmetics cause a phototoxic effect and cause Melasma. Then some of the skincare products and soaps are also found to worse melasma lesions.

How do I know if I have Melasma?

With a thorough skin examination, your dermatologist can quickly diagnose Melasma. Biopsy of the skin is sometimes done for differentiating Melasma from other conditions.

How is Melasma Treated?

Treatment is not required in every case of Melasma. Hormonal changes like those occurring at the time of pregnancy or taking birth control pills can cause Melasma. In such cases, Melasma fades away after delivery or after once a person stops taking birth control pills.

But for some people, Melasma can last for years or sometimes for the rest of their lives. If it does not fade independently, a person can undergo treatment to remove or fade those dark patches. But there is no one-size fit all treatment for Melasma.

Some of the valuable treatment options for Melasma are

• Hydroquinone: Doctors often recommend it for treating Melasma. It might be available in the form of lotion, gel, or cream. It is applied directly to the skin patches. At the same time, hydroquinone is available over the counter, but a skin specialist can also advise heavy creams. Hydroquinone works by lightening the patches.
• Corticosteroids and tretinoin: They are available in the form of creams, gels, or lotions—both work by lightening the colour of these patches.
• Mixed creams: In some cases, your dermatologist might prescribe creams that consist of hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and tretinoin. These creams are also called a triple cream.
• Other topical medicines: A dermatologist might also prescribe kojic acid or azelaic acid, which lightens the dark patch on your skin.

Does laser treatment work for Melasma?

Well! The answer to this question depends on your provider's level of understanding, training, and experience of how various skin types and colours will respond to your laser treatment. Another essential thing to know is laser alone cannot eliminate Melasma. The laser targets the pigment cell that is melanocyte. It is easy to target melanocytes with lasers, but Melasma is more complicated than only pigmented cells. Some other skin structures, as well as cells, are also included in the skin making process, and therefore treatment must consist of these factors too.

Then most people will not require a laser for treating Melasma. The dermatologist making plans for your treatment should have years of experience in handling laser devices. Thus, you must know that laser treatment for Melasma in Delhi should be chosen when all other methods fails.

What is the cost of Melasma Treatment in Delhi?

Melasma treatment is a lingering process. The creams and the steroids should be applied to patches for 8-12 months before you can see any changes. Thus, it also increases the whole treatment cost. But if you are thinking about Melasma Treatment in Delhi, then it can be an expensive affair. You will probably require 2-4 treatments in 3-6 months for a complete cure. The amount might reach approx. Rs.50000.

FAQ

What is the best treatment for melasma?

Melasma does not need serious treatment on every occasion. It depends on the severity according to the level of pigmentation you have. Sometimes, consuming multiple contraceptive pills or pregnancy can be the reason for melasma. In such cases, the effects are short-term. If you stop taking the pills or give birth to your baby, things will become normal automatically. 

However, extensive treatment is mandatory when melasma lasts for a considerable time. The dark patches can often lead to lack of self confidence. Laser treatment is appropriate only if your melasma needs a high-level treatment to get the best results. Usually, doctors recommend treatments like Hydroquinone and other lightening agents. These treatments come as heavy creams and lotions. So, you need to check the correct dosage from your physician to obtain the desired effects. Therefore, among all these options, you cannot consider any one treatment to be the best. A holistic and multimodality approach is the best. 

What is the fastest way to cure melasma?

Many people will go for the more straightforward at-home treatments for curing melasma. However, professional advice and additional care are essential if you want a speedy recovery. Melasma is actually a form of hyperpigmentation. Many dermatological procedures are present now to lighten these patches. Your pigmentation will gradually fade away as you apply the right amount of lotions or creams. Professional suggestion is essential before you try anything for your skin. Although the fastest way to eliminate it is appropriately using lasers and chemical peels, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are also good options. 

Can melasma return after treatment?

A permanent cure for melasma is not possible, although so many treatments are readily available. Effective creams and lotions will often lighten the patches to a great extent. However, the disease can come back after some time. Usually, a combination of good quality cream with UV protection and less exposure to sunlight can decrease your melasma symptoms. With the strict observance of prescribed creams and sunlight protection, your melasma patches will slowly vanish. Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of it permanently. 

Furthermore, no definitive treatment is present for the automatic cure of this skin disease. You have to stay patient and follow some special instructions to get favorable results. Please be ready for its return. This come-back tendency mainly occurs in people who remain outside for an extended period. Therefore, you have to stay protected from any source of light to ensure fewer chances for melasma. 

Is sunscreen important for melasma treatment?

Yes, definitely. Melasma is a photoaggravated condition that affects the skin badly due to long-time exposure to sunlight. One of the reasons for this hyperpigmentation condition is the ultraviolet rays. Moreover, your skin can show dark patches due to any source of strong light. Hence, sunscreen becomes essential to your routine when you suffer from melasma. 

For high-risk patients, melasma can be treated through the intensive use of these sunscreen lotions. The chances of relapses are less if you are using a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Hence, melasma can be controlled through the timely use of sunscreen lotions combined with some other creams. A professional suggestion is necessary when you want it not to come back. However, you may get it again even after following the instructions. Please do not worry about that, and keep all your medicated creams ready for immediate application.