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- Think that
umbrellas are too cumbersome to carry about.
- Feel that
hats just ruin your hair.
- Are
thinking of 'getting some color into your skin' and tanning yourself
You may be at
risk for developing melasma!
What is
Pigmentation ? Pigmentation
or melasma, is a skin condition caused by over-exposure to the sun and
is one of the many skin disorders which origins from the sun's damaging
UV rays. Melasma is characterized by the appearance of dark unsightly
patches occurring symmetrically across the face and neck. It accounts
for nearly four percent of patients seen at dermatology clinics in South
East Asia. It is also one of the most prevalent skin disorders in the
region.
Pigmentation
can strike anyone although being Asian and a woman makes you doubly
susceptible to the condition. Yet, sticking by these handy tips will
prevent melasma.
Sunscreen
is good medicine - Experts believe that the first line of defense
against pigmentation is sunscreen - not just before outdoor activities,
but as a routine. The strength of a sunscreen is measured by the Sun
Protection Factor (SPF) - which indicates how much longer it will take
to get sunburned when compared to not using a sunscreen at all.
Sunscreen SPFs range from between 2 to above 15. For daily use, the
recommendation is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least and SPF
14.
Covering
Up - Another simple step in preventing melasma is to wear clothes,
which cover up most of your skin. The type of material used also
minimizes the effects of UV rays. For example, polyester and tightly
woven fabrics help to significantly reduce UV transmission to the skin.
Do not shrink umbrellas and hats! Carry a small foldable umbrella for
quick, neat and essential protection when you have to stay under the sun
for prolonged periods.
Going
deeper - In pigmentation, the UV rays enter into the inner layers of
the skin and cause a kind of organic chemical reaction within. This
reaction generates damaging, unstable chemical molecules, called free
radicals, which in turn stimulates certain skin cells, called
melanocytes, into over-producing melanion, the substance which gives us
skin color.
It is this
sudden increase in melanin that eventually emerges on the surface of the
skin as blotches of melasma. The problem lies in the deeper layers of
the skin so, one of the most effective methods of prevention is internal
treatment. Internal treatment works by blocking excessive melanin
production by the over-stimulated melanocytes and stabilizing collagen.
It also scavenges free radicals and inhibits UV radiation from the
inside. However, it is the way to go for preventing a recurrence and is
a hassle-free method of prevention.
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