Excessive exposure to sunlight without proper sun protection can cause dark spots to appear on the skin, especially on the face. This is called melasma, a condition whose cause has not yet been determined, but is often associated with a genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and sun exposure.
Melasma can also appear in other areas, such as the arms, neck and chest, and is manifested by the appearance of dark spots on the skin and, unlike post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, is not necessarily caused by factors such as pimples or sunburn.
According to the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), in cases of melasma, melanin production intensifies in areas exposed to the sun, causing the skin in that area to look very different from other areas of the face. These spots do not cause pain or any other effect on the body, but they can affect the patient’s self-esteem.
The incidence of melasma is higher in people with medium to dark skin tones, who naturally produce more melanin and therefore have more pigmented skin. The SBD also points out that 40% of patients with melasma report similar cases in close relatives, such as siblings, parents, aunts and cousins.
What is gestational melasma?
The direct correlation between melasma and pregnancy is still not a consensus in the medical community, but, according to Rede D’Or, it is likely that high levels of estrogen and progesterone intensify the production of melanin, and facilitate the creation of spots on the skin.
How to prevent melasma?
The main ally in preventing melasma is the use of sunscreen, which will reduce the impact of the sun’s rays on the skin of people predisposed to the condition. People with melasma should always apply sunscreen, even on cloudy and rainy days when the sun is not as bright, and opt for physical filters, such as those with color, since visible light can also cause skin blemishes.
The SPF of sunscreen for people with melasma needs to be higher than that used by people who do not have this condition. Wearing clothing and devices that protect the areas where spots are most commonly exposed from sunlight also helps in prevention.
How to treat melasma?
Melasma treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist and includes the prescription of topical medications and lightening creams to minimize spots, as well as good photoprotection with products with a high SPF. The doctor may also prescribe the use of lasers which, combined with the reduction of the skin’s exposure to solar radiation, can help to even out the difference between the skin tone of the stained area and the tone of normal skin.
*With information from CNN International
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Source: CNN Brasil
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