Regular skin care and sun protection but still have melasma and age spots?

A doctor at Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital is examining a patient with melasma - Photo: Provided by the hospital

Skin is an important factor that affects women's appearance. However, melasma and freckles darken the skin, affecting aesthetics.

Ms. N.D. (35 years old, Thu Duc) said she was worried that melasma and age spots would appear early in middle age, so she regularly took care of her facial skin, bought moisturizer and sunscreen to use continuously.

However, recently her face still has melasma. Although she has applied all kinds of creams, her face still does not go away, making Ms. D. lose confidence.

Talking to Tuoi Tre Online , Dr. Tran Nguyen Anh Tu - head of the cosmetic skin department at Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital - said that skin care, especially regular use of sunscreen to avoid melasma and age spots is not enough.

This also depends on choosing a good sunscreen product, suitable for your skin type, meeting broad spectrum sunscreen standards, protecting the skin from the harmful effects of both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays.

In addition, the amount used each time must be thick enough (average 2mg/ ^cm2 of skin) and the usage must also be correct, such as needing to be repeated every 2 hours if still outdoors for a long time.

In addition to using sunscreen, it is also necessary to combine other mechanical measures such as: wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, wearing long-sleeved clothes, and limiting sun exposure between 10am and 4pm.

Most importantly, the cause of melasma is very complex, combining many factors such as genes, hormones, inflammation, free radicals... and not just due to exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight.

The cause of melasma is the impact of free radicals, called ROS. Vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E have the role of fighting ROS, helping to limit and support in controlling and treating melasma.

However, the cause of melasma is very complex and multifactorial, so vitamins A, C, and E cannot completely prevent melasma.

To prevent melasma or other skin pigmentation disorders, Dr. Tu recommends having a suitable skin care regimen and limiting direct exposure to sunlight.

Regularly use moisturizers and broad-spectrum sunscreens to protect your skin from UV rays and environmental pollutants.

In particular, do not use active ingredients that irritate the skin, because it will create an inflammatory reaction that damages pigment cells and causes dark spots on the skin.

Visit dermatologists at reputable hospitals and medical facilities as soon as you see new melasma. Early and proper treatment will help you quickly regain healthy, beautiful skin.

Can taking birth control pills cause melasma and age spots?

Dr. Tu said that there have been many reports of melasma appearing after using old-generation progestin contraceptives because progestin causes levonorgestrel synthesis, stimulating pigment cells to produce pigment (melanin).

Most cases of melasma appear early, about 2-3 months after taking the medicine.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cham-da-chong-nang-deu-dan-sao-van-nam-da-doi-moi-2024032513511552.htm