A respected developer of professional skin care products, Robert S. Baraczek formulates novel skincare treatments for conditions such as acne, vitiligo, rosacea, and melasma.
Melasma commonly affects women between the ages of 20 to 50 and is characterized by darkened patches of skin on the face or other parts of the body. The following are a few key tips on how to avoid and correct melasma.
1. Use Sun Protection. Use skin care products containing a high SPF (skin protection factor), which protects against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, and antioxidants, which help to manage free radical damage caused by the suns rays to fight against melasma. Wearing protective clothing such hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants also helps protect the skin from melasma caused or worsened by the effects of the sun.
2. Topical skin lightening products. Some creams help to lighten melasma and include skin brighteners such as niacinamide, vitamins C and A, and ingredients such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin. However, caution must be used when using these products, as some ingredients can cause irritation or excessively lighten the skin.
3. Cosmetic Treatments. Procedures such as laser treatments and chemicals peels can help to treat melasma by removing damaged cells from the skin’s surface. A series of laser treatments may be required to treat the condition, although this is considered one of the most effective ways to treat melasma. Chemical peels can vary from mild to harsh, and some use natural ingredients such as lactic or pyruvic acid and can be used safely at home.
