How to Treat Chloasma

Chloasma, synonymous with melasma, mostly occurs in females during pregnancy, hormonal activity and from taking oral contraceptive pills. The occurrence among pregnant women resulted in its common name "the mask of pregnancy." This skin condition predominately appears on the face in the form of blotches, spots and irregular colors from tan to black. Chloasma usually fades over time on its own; but for quicker solutions, various skin treatments accelerate the process.

Things You'll Need

• Protective clothing
• Sunscreen
• Bleaching cream
• Chemical peels
• Laser treatment
• IPL treatment

Instructions

1. Limit sun exposure during treatment by wearing hats, long sleeves and pants.

2. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin daily. Use sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for more blocking protection.

3. Use bleaching creams obtained over-the-counter or stronger prescription creams containing combinations of tretinoin, hydroquinone and cortisone from your doctor.

4. Consider liquid chemical peels that strip away chloasma. Glycolic acid ranks as the mildest solution for treatment.

5. Seek laser treatment to burn away chloasma, typically with one visit. The treatment is expensive so consult your doctor first to discuss possible other medical solutions.

6. Choose Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL), a light treatment that requires about 5 weeks to obtain results. This broadband light penetrates deeper and fades the chloasma without damaging the epidermis.

Tips & Warnings

• Always consult your doctor for proper diagnosis to rule out other causes for the problem areas.

• Many chemical solutions used to treat chloasma require several months for effective outcomes.

• Prescription bleaching creams usually take several months to lighten the skin with possible skin peeling and drying as side effects.