Melasma is a skin condition that affects many women, especially Latina & Asian
women.
A new topical treatment called Cosmelan has been used successfully in treating
Melasma & other skin blemishes.
Other Melasma treatments include the Fraxel Laser & Chemical Peels.
Cosmelan
Melasma Treatments
Melasma is a
condition, which results in a splotchy pigmented complexion. It has been considered
to arise from pregnancy, oral contraceptives, endocrine dysfunction, genetic factors,
medications, nutritional deficiency, and liver dysfunction. Melasma is reasonably
common, especially in women of child-bearing age. While all races are affected,
there is a prominence among Latinos and Asians.
Melasma,
also known as the Mask of Pregnancy and chloasma, affects an estimated six million
women in America and is one of the most common skin pigmentation conditions worsened
by summer sun exposure. Most people who have this hyper pigmentation problem notice
that the patches fade slightly during the winter months and darken when exposed
to the sun’s summer rays.
Melasma
appears as dark blotches on the face, especially on the cheeks, nose, forehead
and upper lip. The condition causes irregular tan, brown, or even blue/black patches
on parts of the face
“Melasma
may be caused by a hormonal imbalance, the use of oral contraceptives or hormone
replacement therapy” says Dr. Jonathon Weiss, an Atlanta area dermatologist.
“Genetics also plays a role. However, sun exposure can trigger or worsen
the appearance of the condition.”
Although
melasma is common in women of all races, Latina women have the highest prevalence
of the condition. Research documents that non-white patients have a 30 percent
higher probability of pigmentation disorders than white patients. While 50 or
70 percent of pregnant women will exhibit some degree of melasma, the incidence
of melasma in Hispanic pregnant women is as high as 80 percent. Of the Hispanic
women who develop the condition during pregnancy, 30 percent will have the condition
for a lifetime without proper treatment.
However,
a new cosmetic treatment call Cosmelan depigmentation has proven to be effective
in treating melasma. In 99% of the cases the disappearance of the treated blemish
(mainly Melasma) improves by 95%. And many doctors in the San Diego area are using
Cosmelan with their patients.
