Melasma. Classification and treatment

Abstract

Melasma is a cosmetic problem that sometimes causes great emotional suffering. The tv^-o most important causative factors are sunlight and getietic predisposition. Moreover, natural and synthetic estrogens, the use of certain drugs and the use of cosmetics with certain components have been implicated as etiologic factors. For the treatment of melasma, the elimination of the factors that are associated with the abnormality of pigmentation, is essential (discontinuation of birth control pills, avoidance of sun exposure). From the many medications that have been used in the treatment of melasma, Hydroquinone alone at a concentration of 2-5%, or in combination with tretinoin or tretinoin and corticosteroids, is now the most widely used preparations. New phenolic compounds and Azelaic acid are also used. Medium depth chemical peeling alone or in combination with other bleaching agents has also been tried with success in some cases. Finally, the use of lasers is discussed. 0926-9959/95/509.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSDl 0926-9959(95)00049-6

Role of oxidative stress in melasma: a prospective study on serum and blood markers of oxidative stress in melasma patients

“…3 It is much more common in women and races with darker skin types, however a significant proportion is comprised of males. 1,5 Various factors implicated in the causation of melasma include sun exposure, genetic factors, hormonal factors, pregnancy, certain cosmetics, and drugs. 1,5 Various factors implicated in the causation of melasma include sun exposure, genetic factors, hormonal factors, pregnancy, certain cosmetics, and drugs.…”

Development and validation of a HPLC and a UV derivative spectrophotometric methods for determination of hydroquinone in gel and cream preparations

“…Clinical studies have established the beneficial therapeutic effect of HQ in the treatment of melasma, freckles, lentigines and other skin hyperpigmentary disorders [6][7]. Several analytical methods for the determination of HQ in skin-toning preparations are described, including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [8][9][10][11], capillary electrochro- * Tel.…”

What is the mechanism for melasma that so commonly accompanies human pregnancy?

“…From its appearance under Wood light (340 -400 nm), melasma is classified into epidermal (70%), dermal (10 -15%) and mixed (20%). There is also a small group of melasma patients (2 -3%) of dark skin types that cannot be classified using Wood's light examination only (5,6).…”