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Suggest Treatment For Melasma On Lips And Cheekbones
Question: Hi, I recently noticed melasma development on my upper lips and cheek bones..please suggest if OTC hydroquinone cream can be used or will it be harmful. Alternatively, can you suggest some remedy for it as it is growing? Some people suggested cosmetic skin brightening creams like meladerm but im not sure.
Brief Answer:
Sunprotection along with skin lightening creams
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Melasma presents as hyperpigmentation over the cheek bones/malar area, nose, forehead, upper lips. The pigmentation may vary in intensity from light brown to dark brown or even bluish, depending on whether the pigment is confined just to the upper layer of skin/epidermis (light brown) or it involves both the upper as well as deeper layers (dark brown or bluish).
It is idiopathic in most of the cases. However, there are a few well known causes of melasma such as oral contraceptive pills, pregnancy and NSAIDs
Sunscreen is an essential part in the management of any facial hyperpigmentation including melasma.
I would suggest you to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, throughout the day.
Reapply every 2-3 hours.
It should have both UV A as well as UV B coverage.
A broad spectrum sunscreen that has a minimum spf of 30, would be suitable.
You may find one such sunscreen OTC from a drug store Or you may also get it prescribed from a dermatologist.
At night you may use a skin lightening cream, containing one or more of the following active ingredients e.g Azaleic acid, Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Arbutin, Glycolic acid, licorice extract, Niacinamide, Vit C etc.
Hydroquinone, is a good alternative, but I am not sure if it is available OTC. You may inquire about it from a drug store Or else you may get a prescription for it, from your dermatologist
The Other cream that you mention is available OTC and is an effective option for treatment of melasma as it contains the following active ingredients which are skin lightening i.e Kojic acid, Arbutin, Glycolic acid, licorice extract, Niacinamide, Vit C. You may try it.
Along with the creams, you may also opt for a few sessions of chemical peeling from your dermatologist.
Melasma may take time to respond and you have to be patient with the treatment and follow up regularly with a dermatologist. Your dermatologist might change or modify treatment according to the response.
Regards
Sunprotection along with skin lightening creams
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Melasma presents as hyperpigmentation over the cheek bones/malar area, nose, forehead, upper lips. The pigmentation may vary in intensity from light brown to dark brown or even bluish, depending on whether the pigment is confined just to the upper layer of skin/epidermis (light brown) or it involves both the upper as well as deeper layers (dark brown or bluish).
It is idiopathic in most of the cases. However, there are a few well known causes of melasma such as oral contraceptive pills, pregnancy and NSAIDs
Sunscreen is an essential part in the management of any facial hyperpigmentation including melasma.
I would suggest you to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, throughout the day.
Reapply every 2-3 hours.
It should have both UV A as well as UV B coverage.
A broad spectrum sunscreen that has a minimum spf of 30, would be suitable.
You may find one such sunscreen OTC from a drug store Or you may also get it prescribed from a dermatologist.
At night you may use a skin lightening cream, containing one or more of the following active ingredients e.g Azaleic acid, Hydroquinone, Kojic acid, Arbutin, Glycolic acid, licorice extract, Niacinamide, Vit C etc.
Hydroquinone, is a good alternative, but I am not sure if it is available OTC. You may inquire about it from a drug store Or else you may get a prescription for it, from your dermatologist
The Other cream that you mention is available OTC and is an effective option for treatment of melasma as it contains the following active ingredients which are skin lightening i.e Kojic acid, Arbutin, Glycolic acid, licorice extract, Niacinamide, Vit C. You may try it.
Along with the creams, you may also opt for a few sessions of chemical peeling from your dermatologist.
Melasma may take time to respond and you have to be patient with the treatment and follow up regularly with a dermatologist. Your dermatologist might change or modify treatment according to the response.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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