Melasma is a common problem that makes many people worry about the change in color of their skin. Although not painful, melasma can reduce self-confidence and affect overall appearance. In this article, we will learn effective methods of caring for melasma skin, from choosing treatment products, to skin care habits and daily skin protection measures.
1. Why does skin get melasma?
Melasma is often the result of the accumulation of melanin – the pigment that gives skin its color – in specific areas, leading to the appearance of brown or gray spots on the skin. There are many main causes of melasma, including:
- Impact of sunlight: Long-term exposure to sunlight is the leading cause of melasma. UV rays from the sun stimulate the body to produce more melanin to protect the skin, leading to the formation of melasma.
- Hormonal changes: Changes in hormone levels, especially during pregnancy (pregnancy) or when using birth control pills, can stimulate melanin production, causing melasma.
- Genetics: Genetic factors also play an important role in the formation of melasma. If you have a family member with melasma, your risk of getting it is also higher.
- Aging: As age increases, the skin tends to reduce its ability to regenerate and recover, causing melasma to become more obvious and more difficult to treat.
- Hormonal changes and stress: Stress and hormonal changes can increase melanin production, contributing to the appearance of melasma on the skin.
- Using inappropriate cosmetics: Some cosmetic products that contain irritating ingredients or are not suitable for your skin type can aggravate melasma or cause skin irritation, leading to the appearance of melasma. of melasma.
- Lack of skin care: Not taking proper steps to protect and care for your skin, such as not using sunscreen or not cleaning your skin thoroughly, can increase the risk of melasma forming.
Understanding the cause of melasma is an important first step in choosing appropriate treatment and skin care methods to improve melasma and maintain healthy skin.
2. How to care for melasma skin to reduce melasma, dark spots, and dark spots
Melasma is a skin condition characterized by hyperpigmentation, causing brown spots on the skin’s surface. This condition often appears when women are pregnant, using birth control pills, or due to overexposure to the sun. Although it does not affect your health, melasma can reduce the aesthetic appearance of your face. To control and limit melasma, mastering the notes in the skin care process is essential. Below are these How to care for skin with deep melasma Important to help improve skin condition and maintain healthy, bright skin.
2.1 Wash your face every day
In the morning, your melasma skin care routine should start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. This helps remove oils, secretions and bacteria that build up on the skin throughout the night, which can clog pores. You should choose gentle cleansers instead of harsh exfoliating products, as harsh products can strip away the skin’s natural lipid layer, which plays a role in protecting the skin barrier. Excessive removal of natural oils and fats can damage the skin’s protective layer, leading to inflammation and irritation. In particular, people with acne or acne blemishes should avoid harsh physical exfoliating methods, as they can worsen inflammation and facilitate the formation of melasma. skin.
2.2 Use vitamin C during the day
After gently washing your face, the next step in your morning skin care routine is to apply an antioxidant serum. These serums, especially those containing vitamin C, help protect the skin from the effects of sunlight and environmental pollution throughout the day. Vitamin C not only brightens the skin and fades brown spots but also stimulates collagen production, improving skin elasticity. When choosing an antioxidant serum, prioritize products that contain a variety of antioxidants but have a low risk of irritation, to ensure optimal effectiveness without damaging the skin.
2.3 Apply medication as prescribed
Skin that frequently suffers from acne, especially when there is chronic inflammation, is often more susceptible to melasma than skin without acne. Therefore, if you are at risk for acne (for example, when traveling, drinking alcohol frequently, or during your period), supplementing with prescription acne medications is necessary to prevent melasma. Two common acne medications recommended by doctors are clindamycin and azelaic acid. Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic that helps kill acne-causing bacteria, while azelaic acid stands out for its multifunctional abilities. Azelaic acid not only helps improve acne but also brightens the skin and reduces post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, including melasma.
2.4 Apply seasonal moisturizer
During the summer months, when taking care of melasma skin, you should choose light creams or gels to avoid a heavy feeling on the skin. On the contrary, in the dry winter, when the skin needs more moisture, you should use a thicker cream containing ceramides to provide the necessary moisture. Using a seasonally appropriate moisturizer will help maintain the skin’s protective barrier, thereby reducing the effects of sunlight and limiting the formation of melasma.
2.5 Apply sunscreen every day
Sunscreen is an indispensable element in skin care for melasma. Sunscreen works by creating a protective layer on the skin’s surface, blocking ultraviolet rays – the main cause of skin pigmentation. For optimal results, apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours if you are still exposed to the sun.
Besides using sunscreen, it is also important to protect your skin by wearing sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and seeking shade to limit exposure to sunlight. When choosing sunscreen, prioritize gentle products that do not clog pores to avoid increasing the risk of acne. Additionally, choosing a sunscreen that contains ingredients like zinc and titanium dioxide will help protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, ensuring comprehensive protection for your skin.
2.6 Clean your skin at night
When applicable How to care for melasma skin, do not skip the step of removing makeup at night. This is important to remove oil, sweat and dirt that accumulates on the skin throughout the day, helping to prevent clogged pores. To ensure your skin is completely cleansed, you should wash your face twice in the evening. Start with an oil-based makeup remover to dissolve and remove makeup and dirt. Then, use a water-based cleanser for a deeper clean, removing remaining impurities and leaving skin smoother and brighter.
2.7 Use hydroquinone to improve skin discoloration
After washing your face at night, applying skin lightening cream is an important step in the melasma skin care process. Skin lightening cream helps improve the pigmentation of dark spots and melasma by brightening the skin’s surface.
A popular option is to use a 4% hydroquinone cream, which is recommended to be used continuously for three months, then discontinued for three months to rest. During the three-month period when you stop using hydroquinone, you can replace it with other skin lightening creams such as niacinamide, tranexamic acid, or resorcinol. These ingredients also have the ability to brighten the skin and improve melasma and hyperpigmentation in general.
2.8 Use seasonal retinoids
Topical retinoids are one of the important products in the treatment skin care to reduce dark spots. This ingredient works by simultaneously addressing multiple skin problems, such as acne, acne scars, and melasma, and is one of the most effective anti-aging solutions.
However, retinoids can cause dryness and irritation, so be flexible in using different retinoids depending on the season. During the dry winter months, you should use over-the-counter retinol, as it is often gentler and less drying. Conversely, when summer comes and skin is less dry, you can switch to a prescription retinoid with tretinoin 0.05% for use every night. To avoid excessive dryness, use only a small amount of retinoid cream all over your face and neck each night and always moisturize afterward.
2.9 Weekly peeling
When taking care of melasma skin, skin peeling also needs to be focused and done properly. Note that peeling should be done twice a week, during which time you should temporarily stop using retinol. Instead, use chemical peels containing glycolic or salicylic acid to help remove dead skin cells.
It’s important to not use retinol the same night as a peel, as this combination can cause excessive irritation to the skin. Peeling helps remove dead skin cells, clear acne, tighten pores, prevent acne recurrence, improve dark spots caused by acne and fade melasma.
2.10 Eye cream
The skin around the eyelids is the thinnest skin on the body, so it is also the first place to show signs of collagen loss. When Skin care for melasma, you should not ignore the use of products specifically for this sensitive skin area with highly hydrating properties. Eye cream, when used regularly every night, helps plump the skin, reduce wrinkles and protect the skin from damage. You should choose products containing active ingredients such as peptides and antioxidants to protect the skin and prevent melasma formation. Some eye creams also contain antioxidants to protect the skin, peptides to stimulate collagen production and caffeine to reduce swelling, prevent puffiness, and help the eye area always look youthful and healthy.
3. Points to note when taking care of melasma skin
When Skin care for melasma, there are some important factors to keep in mind to achieve optimal results and protect your skin. Always pay attention to how your skin reacts to care products, from using skin lightening creams, chemical peels, to moisturizers and acne medications. If you notice signs of irritation such as redness, itching, or peeling of the skin, stop using that product and consider changing or adjusting another product. Sometimes, skin may need time to adjust to new products, so test the product on a small area before applying to your entire face.
In addition, record skin changes after each use of the product to easily identify unwanted reactions. This helps you adjust your care routine in a timely and appropriate manner, to optimize melasma treatment results and maintain healthy skin.
In short, effective skin care for melasma requires a thorough and consistent skin care routine. Skin care not only helps brighten and even out skin tone, but also contributes to protecting the skin from harmful factors. Be patient and accompany your skin on its journey to achieving radiant beauty and optimal skin health.
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Nguyễn Thị Thu Uyên
Both the university and the hospital are places where I have spent significant time studying and practicing to build a solid knowledge foundation. With continuous efforts in learning and staying updated with the latest advancements in medical literature, I always maintain an open and flexible mindset in response to the constant changes in the field. My work experience has given me deep insights into various professional aspects, from complex terminologies to sophisticated medical procedures. However, I realize that this knowledge is often too difficult for many people to access due to its dry and complex nature. As a healthcare professional, this has driven me to seek a new approach, transforming complex medical knowledge into something more understandable and relatable for everyone. Writing is the tool I chose to achieve this goal. I do not merely see writing as a means to convey information, but also as a way to connect with readers, patients, and help them access medical knowledge more easily and naturally. I always strive to turn difficult medical terms into memorable, practical stories. My passion for writing stems from a love of sharing knowledge and a desire to bring real value to the community, not just within the hospital. I believe that in a world full of information, the accurate and easy-to-understand dissemination of medical knowledge is extremely important. With every article, I hope to contribute a small part to raising health awareness, helping people better protect themselves and their families. Especially in today's era, when weight loss and beauty according to medical standards are of great interest to many, the Drip Hydration Vietnam project is an information channel that helps me convey the best knowledge and solutions to everyone.
