Dr. Gabriela Strauch, dermatologist at the University of Chile, tells us what this disease is called, why it is produced, what you can do to prevent it from appearing and how to treat it.
What is melasma?
] Melasma is an acquired disease, characterized by symmetrical brown spots in the areas of sun exposure (cheeks, forehead, upper lip). It develops progressively over time and is exacerbated by sun exposure.
Incidence of Melasma
Although the true incidence is not known, it is a very common disease. It has been estimated that 5 to 6 million women in the United States of America suffer from it. In Chile many women consult dermatologist for this pathology.
There are several factors involved in the appearance of this disease: genetic susceptibility, sun exposure, hormonal changes, use of oral contraceptives or cosmetics.
Melasma is common in all skin types, but tends to occur more frequently in people with dark skin (brown).
90% of affected people are women, and only 10% are men. It is more frequent in women between 30 and 45 years, although it can also affect men and boys. It occurs in 66% of pregnant women, and decreases or disappears after delivery; in one third of cases it persists indefinitely.
Melasma can be treated with different active chemical substances and / or laser treatment (ND Yag QS), but no treatment will be effective if the person is not protected against sunlight. The protection against ultraviolet radiation must be made through the use of physical means (sunshades or hat) and chemicals (sunscreens).
Avoid exposure to the sun and the use of sunscreens are key to preventing melasma. [19659011]