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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Melasma

I'm 16 years old ,5 ft4 and weight 8 and half stone.I have a fair-medium skin tone. I have been aneamic in the past(not anymore) and also had irregular period cycles due to which i was put on femodene(birth control). I had been on it for a year and then went off it just to check if my cycle had been repaired. I went on holiday to Italy and made sure i wore spf and hats etc, when i got back i started to get pigmentation come up on my chin, laugh lines and on the left side of my nose. I'm guessing this is melasma..my doctor said he can't do anything about it and that it's not serious enough to go to a dermatologist.I dont have the crazy amount of money for it anyway i come from a middle class family. Please help me i feel so self concious, i havent stepped out of the house since a year without any makeup on, i hate taking photos, i missed out on a holiday to Egypt this year as i was scared of the sun! I wear sunscreen religiously everyday and even improved my diet. I feel like setting my face on fire it's horrendous..i'm scared i will never get rid of this problem, i feel ugly and unattractive.
Mon, 16 Feb 2015
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

Pigmentation of face Or Melasma is also one of the side effects of Birth control pills.
Most of the cases of Melasma are however idiopathic.
Sunscreen use is essential part of management of Melasma and I suggest you to continue with regular use of a sunscreen, throughout the day.
A broad spectrum sunscreen, that which offers both UV A as well as UV B protection should be ideal.
Reapply every 2-3 hours.
Besides sunscreen, pigment reducing agents would either help exfoliate existing pigment or reduce synthesis of new pigment.
Pigment reducing agents that would prove helpful are glycolic acid, kojic acid, hydroquinone, arbutin, azaleic acid etc.
I suggest you to visit a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will assess the severity of pigmentation and advice accordingly.

Regards
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Suggest Treatment For Melasma

Hello. Thank you for writing to us Pigmentation of face Or Melasma is also one of the side effects of Birth control pills. Most of the cases of Melasma are however idiopathic. Sunscreen use is essential part of management of Melasma and I suggest you to continue with regular use of a sunscreen, throughout the day. A broad spectrum sunscreen, that which offers both UV A as well as UV B protection should be ideal. Reapply every 2-3 hours. Besides sunscreen, pigment reducing agents would either help exfoliate existing pigment or reduce synthesis of new pigment. Pigment reducing agents that would prove helpful are glycolic acid, kojic acid, hydroquinone, arbutin, azaleic acid etc. I suggest you to visit a dermatologist. Your dermatologist will assess the severity of pigmentation and advice accordingly. Regards