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| CHLOASMA |
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| TECHNICAL TERM. Increased deposits of pigment in skin. Found mainly on the forehead, nose and cheeks. Also known as Melasma, " the mask of pregnancy" or liver spots. |
| Chloasma usually affects women but occasionally is seen in young men who use after-shave lotions, scented soaps, and other products. Chloasma is expecially common in young women and affects the forehead, cheeks and upperlips. It occurs frequently during pregnancy and is more common in dark skins than in fair skins. It usually fades away a few months after delivery. Chloasma also occurs as a side-effect of taking contaceptive pills. It may also be noticed in apparently healthy, normal, non-pregnant women. It is presumed to be due to some mild and harmless hormonal imbalance. Sun exposure, following the use of deoderant soaps, scented toiletries, and various cosmetics can also produce this pigmentation. This pigmentation often extends down to the sun exposed areas of the neck and may be more pronounced on the right side of the forehead, face and neck due to sun exposure while driving. |
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| TREATMENT |
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| If you are on hormonal contaception, consider stopping for a while. However any benefit from changing hormonal preparations is usually slow to become evident. Sun protection is very important. Use a very high protection factor sunscreen and apply it to the whole face. Alpha hydroxy acid ( containing preparations). These can reduce the severity of Chloasma if applied daily for several months. Chemical Peels. Superficial chemical peels may be helpful. Medium depth peels may recommended in severe cases, but may worsen pigmentation. |
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| These pics show the severity in Chloasma (Melasma). The left pic shows a women in her late 40's and the right pic shows Chloasma in a Polynesian. |
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