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male melasma
by rockley, Jul 19, 2008 09:02AM
I have a small dark pigmentation patch on my forehead and also others on my waist. They appeared quite suddenly. They are not elevated or anything and don't cause any irritation and I think they may be melasma. My question is what is the underlying cause of this!? I hear it's quite rare for men- and can be related to hormonal irregularities. So is it something I should get checked out? I'd also like to get rid of it if possible!
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Skin pigmentation disorders are conditions that cause the skin to appear lighter or darker than normal, or blotchy and discolored.
In hyperpigmentation, the body produces too much melanin, causing skin to become darker than usual.
Scientists are still studying the reasons why skin pigmentation disorders occur. In some cases there are tangible causes, such as sun exposure, drug reactions or genetic inheritance. In other cases, it is not as clear.
Melasma are blotches of brown skin pigmentation that appear on the face, namely, cheeks, nose and forehead. Only a small percentage of men suffer from Melasma.
The probable causes are sun exposure, but hormonal factors influence it as well, and it is further worsened by exposure to the sun. Melasma in men shares the same clinical and histologic features as in women.
Melasma can be difficult to treat. The pigment of melasma develops gradually, and resolution is also gradual.
The mainstay of treatment remains topical depigmenting agents. Hydroquinone (HQ) is most commonly used.Concentrations vary from 2%-4% applied in cream form or as an alcohol-based solution.
Azelaic acid, available as a 20% cream-based formulation, appears to be as effective as 4%. Other depigmenting agents that have been studied in the treatment of melasma are 4-N-butylresorcinol, phenolic-thioether, 4-isopropylcatechol, kojic acid, and ascorbic acid.
Regardless of the treatments used, application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen at least daily is recommended to prevent failure of treatment.
ref:http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic260.htm
ref:http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.healthline.com/galecontent/skin-pigmentation-disorders
ref:http://www.drula.com/pigmentation.htm