What is Chloasma?- Chloasma Facts

by admin on April 7, 2012

What is Chloasma? Chloasma is a pigmentation of the skin. It appears as dark, uneven, separated macules in the nose, neck, cheeks, forehead and upper lips. It is a cosmetic dilemma that is common to women. It is not a harmful skin disorder. It is appears because melanin producing cells are stimulated to give off more melanin especially when you are under the sun for a long duration. Females with a lighter brown color with strong sun exposure are vulnerable to having this disorder. Genes also determine if a person is probable to have chloasma. Patients having thyroid conditions are also prone to developing chloasma. It can also be due to hypersensitivity to drugs and cosmetics, which is very uncommon. But one common physical condition that entails having chloasma, is pregnancy. This is due to hormonal variations inside the body. In fact, it is named “pregnancy mask”.
Chloasma can actually be avoided from occurring. This can be with the use of sunscreen or any products that will protect the skin. You can also use any protective gears like hats. Beauty is a crucial issue for women and having chloasma is very depressing. Women who undergo hormonal therapy are more vulnerable to developing chloasma.
There are many things is the market that you can use to decrease the chloasma, like creams. A lot of effective creams have steroids in them that is efficient in the chloasma therapy. There are cosmetics that can minimize the appearance of the pigmentation. But if you want permanent therapy, then opt for surgical procedures, which can also promote smoothness of the skin. There are a lot of options to choose from. However, you must know, that depending on the cause, chloasma can disappear by itself.
It is suggested that people with chloasma must prevent being under the sun and make the chloasma normally vanish by itself. You can use make-ups that will cover the chloasma temporarily. But the best choice is to visit a doctor specializing on skin. Here are ways to diminish or remove chloasma.
1. Skin Lightening Creams. These are used to lighten the pigmentation. In three months, the chloasma can totally vanish, well in most situations. You can apply then twice daily, morning and night.
2. Concoctions. Trentinoin or Hyroquinone is a top suggested treatment. They prevent the production of melanin and will lighten the affected area.
3. Bleaching creams or soaps can also be used but can result to uneven skin tone.
4. Sun Blocking Creams can be applied to avoid the chloasma which is due to sun exposure.
5. Glycolic Acid for chemical peeling.
6. Dermatologic Consultation. This is deemed the best option above all.
7. Oral medications such as MSM sulphur as prescribed to decrease chloasma signs.
8. Camouflage make-ups are also available in the market to mask the chloasma.
9. Surgical treatment such as chemical peeling, laser treatments, which are painful but very effective and allows for permanent disappearance of the pigmentation.
10. Prevention is better than cure. Make sure you don’t love the sun too much.

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    Melasma Chloasma – What You Need to Know

    by admin on April 7, 2012

    Chloasma is a term derived from a Greek word chloazein, which means, being green. It is an incorrect term and many skin specialists are favour the term melasma which is derived from the Greek word melas, which means black. Melasma chloasma, is therefore, the same, for those who are confused about them.
    Melasma is a patchy dark brownish skin hyperpigmentation that is found on the face. This is commonly due to hormonal alterations, like during pregnancy and in the intake of oral estrogen. It appears on areas commonly exposed to the sun. It often disappears in a matter of months after pregnancy or after halting the use of oral contraceptives or any HRT. It usually comes back in the next pregnancies and when you use again the drugs or therapy. The pigmentation slowly disappears in several months. But in other individuals, the pigmentation does not completely fade. But then, this disorder can occur in some people who are not taking pills, nor pregnant.
    For us to further understand who the people at risk for having melasma are, I will elaborate it further. Firstly, it is usual among dark skinned individuals, like people from Asia and with Hispanic blood. Second, it is common among people who have work related to being under the sun for a long time. This is one of the most well-established cause. Thirdly, it is hormonal in nature. Researches state that it appears in pregnancy and associated with intake of pills and for people suffering from thyroid disease. Fourthly, it has been studied that the genes are a contributory factor.
    For the management of chloasma, well, it is a very complex condition to manage. Sun is a major factor and it is not easy to avoid the sun, despite your application of sunscreens. For mild situations, this only needs a little guarantee that it will fade in a few months. Many therapies are here but if therapy is not effective after six months, that is when you need special consultation. As of the moment, what you can do is apply lightening creams, like Hydroquinone which is usually used. However, the problem is that there are some side effects like exogenous ochronosis. Retinoic acid is also used. Azelaic acid is also as effective like hydroquinone. There is also a solution that is used in chemical peeling, known as glycolic acid. When all else fail, that is when you can opt for medical therapy or surgical therapy, like laser treatment, chemical peels and a new one called intense pulsed light therapy. However, they do not give assurance that your melasma will fade 100 percent. Lasers can also be used and they are known to be more successful in the treatment of melasma, followed by an intravenous vitamin C.
    A lot of situations resolve in the long run, but it takes a long duration. When you are under the sun it can make your treatments null and void. For those patients who have darker skin or higher melanin rate, case will resolve longer.

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      Chloasma Treatment – The Top Options

      April 7, 2012

      There are many changes that happen in the body during pregnancy, be it on the physical appearance, sudden, unexplainable feelings in the body and emotional alterations. One of the most common one is Chloasma. Chloasma is called mask of pregnancy. It is a brownish discoloration that occurs in the face, commonly in the cheeks, the [...]

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        Chloasma or Melasma – What is the Difference?

        April 7, 2012

        Many people are confused about Chloasma and Melasma in the sense that every time they research about one, it is always related with the other. Whether it is chloasma or melasma, well, truth is, they are the same. In fact, Melasma is also called as Chloasma Faciei or mask of pregnancy. Now let us further [...]

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          Chloasma – The Mask of Pregnancy

          April 7, 2012

          Melasma or Chloasma, looks like a regular patchy, dark brownish discoloration found on some parts of the face. This discoloration is because of the overstimulation of pigment cells, called the melanocytes, thus giving off excess melanin, which is responsible for making the skin dark. It is a major issue because to the part of women, [...]

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            All About Chloasma

            April 7, 2012

            Chloasma is a skin condition wherein a mottled, dark discoloration occurs in the surrounding skin. The condition appears primarily on the areas surrounding the face. The blotches that occur in both sides of the face are often almost equal, and the colors are usually in the shade of dark brown or tan. Dark blotches occur [...]

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