How to Get Rid of Melasma: Home Remedies That Really Work

If you’ve developed big brown or gray-brown patches on your skin, chances are that you may be suffering from melasma.

Melasma is a skin condition caused by hyperpigmentation and is characterized by brown, gray-brown or tan-colored patches on the skin, especially on the face. It is also called chloasma or the mask of pregnancy, since it often occurs in pregnant women.

intro get rid of melasma

Melasma is characterized by brown, gray-brown or tan-colored patches on the skin

However, it is not an infectious disease and, contrary to popular myths, does not lead to skin cancer. The problem is primarily cosmetic.

This condition is more common in sunny regions, especially during the summer months. In fact, the brown patches can eventually fade away in the winter. Still, prevention is better than the cure and there are many steps you can take to prevent these patches from occurring.

Factors Causing Melasma

Melasma is caused due to the excessive production of melanin (pigment) by skin cells. While it usually affects more women than men, below are some factors that can lead to this skin condition.

Sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) sunrays stimulate melanocytes (color-producing skin cells) to increase the production of melanin. Exposure to the sun can also cause a recurrence of this condition even after the patches have faded away.

Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy frequently cause melasma. In this case, the brown spots or patches fade away once the pregnancy is over.

Ancestry: If you are of Latin, Hispanic, African, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern descent, which typically means you have darker skin, then you are at higher risk of developing melasma.

Gender: Women develop this condition more commonly than men. Only 10 percent of melasma sufferers are men.

Family history: If any of your blood relatives have melasma, you are also highly likely to develop it at some point in your life.

Symptoms of Melasma

Melasma patches most commonly appear on the face. The areas where you most often see these brown patches are the:

Forehead

Cheekbones

Bridge of the nose

Just above the upper lip

Chin

Occasionally on your forearms or neck

Preventing Melasma

Keep your skin covered when you go out in the sun to avoid UV exposure.

Protect exposed skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. Reapply it every 2 hours.

Use gentle skin products that do not burn or sting. Harsh products can cause a recurrence of brown melasma patches.

Home Remedies to Treat Melasma

Melasma can take a toll on your mental well-being, as the prominent brown patches on your face can make you self-conscious while going out or even deter you from leaving your house.

This condition cannot be cured completely, but you can use simple home treatments to fade existing patches and take measures to prevent them from reappearing.