How do you know if you have melasma or sun damage?
How do you know if you have melasma?
Melasma causes light brown, dark brown, and/or bluish patches or freckle-like spots on your skin. Sometimes the patches can become red or inflamed. Melasma appears in six locations or a combination of locations on your skin: Brachial: The melasma appears on your shoulders and upper arms.27 Jul 2020
Is melasma caused by sun?
What causes melasma? Sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun stimulates the melanocytes. A change in hormones: Pregnant women often get melasma. Skin care products: If a product irritates your skin, melasma can worsen.
Is hyperpigmentation the same as sun spots?
Hyperpigmentation appears as darkened patches or spots on the skin that make it look uneven. These dark spots are known as sun spots or age spots and hyperpigmentation is also at the heart of skin conditions such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Is melasma the same as sunspots?
Although it also is a type of condition characterized by darker patches of skin, melasma is differentiated from other forms of hyperpigmentation mainly by its cause; rather than just being sun-related, melasma is caused in part by hormonal changes within the body.28 Jul 2020
Is melasma the same as brown spots?
Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. It's often called the “mask of pregnancy.” Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help.27 Jul 2020
How can you tell melasma from sun damage?
The Look of Melasma You will most often find it on the cheeks, lateral sides of the face, or the upper lip. Melasma can get darker when exposed to the sun, heat, or with inflammation and hormone fluctuations. It can also be aggravated with HEV, or blue light, which is commonly emitted from electronics.13 May 2021
Does sun hyperpigmentation go away?
Hyperpigmentation isn't generally harmful and usually isn't a sign of a serious medical condition. In some cases, dark areas will fade on their own with good sun protection. In other cases, more aggressive treatment is needed. There's no guarantee that the dark spots will fade completely, even with treatment.
How long does sun hyperpigmentation Last?
The truth is, healing hyperpigmentation takes time. In fact, it can take 1 to 2 years to fade, and may take longer for people with darker skin tones.7 Aug 2020
Can melasma disappear by itself?
Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment within a few months. Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light.27 Jul 2020
How do you get rid of sun spots on melasma?
Lightening creams or gels work best for flat spots, such as melasma or age spots. They're effective for patches of discoloration on most skin types. OTC products are accessible (and sometimes more affordable) options for hyperpigmentation, but these can take longer than professional treatments.
How do you test for melasma?
Your dermatologist or other healthcare provider will examine your skin to diagnose melasma. They'll use a Wood's lamp (a black light) to see changes in the color of your skin. You might have your thyroid checked because there does seem to be an association between thyroid disease and melasma.27 Jul 2020