As we get older, our skin begins to lose its even skin tone and become covered in small, noticeable dark spots that usually appear on the face and hands. Sometimes, these spots can be quite large and noticeable.

This darkening in skin tone is referred to as hyperpigmentation and is commonly caused by excessive solar exposure for prolonged periods of time and hormonal fluctuations, such as those present during pregnancy. Whatever the case, hyperpigmentation can have a significant impact on self esteem.

When hyperpigmentation shows up on certain parts of the face (forehead, cheeks and nose) it is referred to as melasma. This skin condition is commonly seen in all ethnicities, but it is usually seen more in people with darker or olive toned skins. And among this group of people, women are the ones most prone to suffering this form of hyperpigmentation.

Melasma treatments will usually involve forms of skin whitening. The objective behind using this type of product is to get the correct skin tone by reducing the amount of melanin in the cells and blocking its production. Here's a list of some commonly used whitening techniques.

*Laser Treatment

This procedure will work on melasma, but it can lead to more hyperpigmentation and even hypopigmentation problems. The results can also be inconsistent. Laser treatment is recommended more for darker skinned individuals.

*Chemical Peels & Dermabrasion

Chemical peels are a great way of treating melasma because the intensity of the peel can be controlled to best suit your needs. The depth of the peel will depend on the chemicals the specialist uses to perform it, and any discomfort that you may experience will be treated with cooling agents or topical anesthetics.

*Bleaching Creams

These products help lighten the skin. They will probably work best over larger areas of the skin as it is difficult to apply them on a tiny spot. There are a variety of active ingredients that different bleaching creams contain.

Hydroquinone is one of the best known bleaching ingredients. This ingredient can lead to problems such as irritation or permanent discoloration. However, there seem to be safer alternatives.

Azelaic acid is one such alternative that is also used in acne medication. Kojic acid and glycolic acid have also been proven to be a good alternative to hydroquinone.

Post-Treatment Precautions

It is crucial that you protect your skin after using any one of the previous techniques or products. Their main objective is to inhibit the production of melanin, which is precisely the substance that protects your skin from the sun. So, after having undergone the procedure make sure to use a sunscreen with a high SPF.