Online Consultation

Top Five Tips for Melasma Prevention in the Summer Months

melasma

One great thing about summer, besides the warm weather, is getting that sun kissed glow we all desire. Whether you sit in the sun (which you should limit by the way), or are catching some rays on your drive to the ice cream parlor on a hot summer day, the UV rays in summer are almost impossible to hide from. 

Though many people love the sun kissed glow they receive throughout the summer months, others, and maybe even you, unpack issues of hyperpigmentation when the UV rays are high. Melasma, a pigmentation issue derived from abnormal melanin production, is a type of hyperpigmentation that can occur through exposure to sunlight.

Cheeks, the neck, nose, and forehead are common areas for melasma patients to experience hyperpigmentation. Many also suffer from melasma on their upper lip, which for women, can tend to look like a faded mustache after a day in the sun. 

The good news about treating melasma, is that there are simple treatment options that are suitable year-round, so that you can treat your melasma today! 

melasma causes

Below we will go over:

  • What causes melasma?
  • What steps you can take to prevent it?
  • The #1 treatment option available 

 

What Causes Melasma? 

As mentioned earlier, melasma is a skin pigmentation issue that derives from abnormal melanin production. Though doctors and scientists have yet to identify the specific cause for people suffering with melasma, many believe that it is likely linked to abnormalities in the melanocyte cell which is the cell responsible for melanin production.

What is melanin production? 

Melanin production is responsible for our skin tone and hair color. The more melanin produced, the darker one’s skin complexion (or hair) will be, whereas lower levels of melanin will result in a lighter skin complexion (or hair). 

Top Five Tips for Melasma Prevention in the Summer Months

Now that you know a little bit more about melasma, and its link to melanin production… let’s go over how you can prevent melasma due to sun exposure, and year round! 

Summer Melasma Prevention
  • Avoid direct sunlight. Whether you have melasma or not, direct exposure to sunlight causes melanin secreting (production of melanin) when they absorb UV rays. For people with regulated melanin production, they can expect for their skin to get that sought after bronzed glow, however, with those with abnormal melanin production, they can expect hyperpigmentation and melasma due to sun exposure. 
  • Protect yourself from the sun. If you are a melasma patient, it is important to protect yourself from the sun to minimize the amount of UV rays that are being absorbed into your abnormal melanin secreting cells. Other than avoiding direct sunlight, it is also important to apply SPF, and wear a hat to limit sunlight exposure to the face.
  • Use a TDC (Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) serum.  A study presented in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, explains how individuals that applied a TDC serum combined with a 100% mineral tinted broad-spectrum protection SPF 45 sunscreen (twice daily), saw an average of a 33.7% improvement in  hyperpigmentation and the evenness of their skin tone. 
Year Round Melasma Prevention 
  • Check with your doctor for medication alternatives. Not only may hormonal birth control lead to possible melasma, but other medications may lead to it as well. If you notice increased melasma with a new or current medication that you are taking, speak to your doctor for alternatives.  
  • Speak to your doctor about oral Probiotics (Prozema). New studies have shown that probiotics, which are typically taken for gut health, can also be used to improve melasma overtime with results showing as soon as 12 weeks. 

 

Available Melasma Treatment in Vancouver

Now that you know what you can do to help your melasma both in the summer months and year round, it’s time to check in with the pros to seek melasma treatment.

Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, an award winning skin care physician in Vancouver, B.C suggests that patients wanting to reduce the appearance of melasma on their face, could benefit from a topical cream or gel treatment, which can be used year round. These cream and gel treatments include ingredients rich in hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroids– which are known to reduce the appearance of melasma overtime. 

If you want to say goodbye to blotchy pigment, uneven skin tones, and your sun-stash, CLICK HERE to book an online consultation with Dr. Shehla Ebhrahim today!

If you are interested in an in person appointment please CLICK HERE to schedule your melasma treatment in Vancouver. 

 

Tagged