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. It can be caused by too much sun exposure over a long period of time or it can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as those present during pregnancy. Whatever the case, hyperpigmentation can cause a significant impact on your self esteem.

When hyperpigmentation shows up on certain parts of the face, such as the forehead, cheeks and nose, it is referred to as melasma. It is a very common occurrence in all ethnicities, but it is usually seen more in people with darker or olive toned skins. On top of this, women are usually more prone to suffering this form of hyperpigmentation.

Melasma treatments will usually involve forms of skin whitening. The main objective is to get the correct skin tone by reducing the amount of melanin present in the cells and block its production. Here's a short list of some of the most commonly used whitening techniques.

*Laser Treatment

This type of procedure will work on melasma, but it can eventually lead to more hyperpigmentation and even hypopigmentation problems. The results may also be inconsistent so don't be surprised if you don't get the result you were looking for. In fact, this type of treatment is usually recommended more for darker skinned individuals than those with lighter skin.

*Dermabrasion and Chemical Peels

The intensity of a chemical peel can be controlled to best suit your needs, making it a great option in the treatment of melasma. The depth of the peel will depend on the chemicals the specialist uses to perform it. Any discomfort that you might feel can be treated with cooling agents and/or topical anesthetics.

*Bleaching Creams

These products help lighten the skin and are best suited to treat larger areas of skin. Bleaching creams are different from each other and use a variety of different active ingredients.

One of the most popular bleaching ingredients is known as Hydroquinone. It can lead to problems such as irritation or permanent discoloration, however, there seem to be safer alternatives.

Azelaic acid, also used in acne medication, is a common alternative to hydroquinone. Kojic acid in conjunction with glycolic acid has 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 goal is to reduce the production of melanin, which is the substance needed to protect your skin from the sun. So, when choosing a bleaching product, make sure that it contains a high SPF or apply a sunscreen after any procedure.