Are you tired of hiding your face?

1) Are you embarrassed by your skin?

2) Do you feel people focus on your skin rather than you?

3) Do you feel your skin discoloration makes you less attractive to others?

4) Do you spend a lot of time everyday covering up your skin discoloration?

5) Has your skin discoloration affected your social and leisure activities?

6) Do you currently have brown or gray – brown skin discoloration on your cheeks, upper lip, nose, forehead or chin?

If you have answer “Yes” to any of the above questions, you might have Melasma. Consult your dermatologist or professional health care providers for an accurate diagnosis & treatment option today.

What is melasma?
Melasma or “mask of pregnancy” is a common skin condition characterized by brown patches on the face, cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose or chin area. It occurs due to the excessive production of melanin, the pigment that causes skin to tan. It is more common among women of child bearing age. Approximately 10% of cases do occur in men.

Why me? What causes melasma?
The primary culprit for the initiation and exacerbation of melasma is exposure to sunlight. Several other factors that may play a role in its severity are:
a) Genetic Influence
b) Increased exposure to female hormones as in
- Pregnancy.
- Use of oral contraceptive pills.
- Post menopausal hormonal replacement therapy.
- Use of certain cosmetic, drugs or a consequence of hormonalb
conditions such as thyroid dysfunction.

Management of melasma?
Exposure to the sun is a definite trigger for melasma, so you should practice a comprehensive Sun Avoidance Program. Every day you need to apply a broad spectrum (UVA+UVB) sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your face from the harmful rays of the sun… even a few minutes in the sun without protection are enough to make your melasma worse. If you are in the sun for long periods of time you should wear a hat tp protect your face. Sun protection is essential for effective treatment of melasma.

Sun protection tips:
- Umbrella
- Hat
- Sun Glasses
- Sun Block