Monthly Archives: February 2012

Today’s Question: I recently had a baby and now my face has these brown patches all over it. What is this and how do I get rid of it? Melanie, Warsaw

Answer: Melanie, it sounds like you have may have a common skin disorder known as melasma. In fact, melasma is so common in pregnant women that it is nicknamed “the pregnancy mask.” Those brown patches of skin associated with melasma usually appear on the forehead, cheeks, nose and upper lip, but can form anywhere your body is exposed to the sun.

Melasma is caused by overactive pigment producing cells that is often linked to pregnancy, but has other causes including hormonal treatments and sun exposure. Researchers do not know the exact cause of melasma. All they know is there is a relationship between hormones and the sun with this skin disorder. Some women develop this “mask” even when they are not pregnant. It can develop with the use of birth control pills and sun exposure or just sun exposure alone. A fairly common skin condition, melasma affects mostly women, but according to the American Academy of Dermatology, 10 percent of those affected are men. There is no specific test to diagnose melasma or the pregnancy mask. Medical skin specialists diagnose the condition by examining the skin and taking a thorough medical history.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for melasma; however, once the cause is determined and under control, melasma can be effectively treated with prescription-strength skin care and chemical peels. Melasma cannot be controlled by taking an oral pill. It can only be treated with prescription strength products. Over the counter products promising to take away brown spots will not work. Don’t waste your money, Melanie. Unlike what many people think, prescription products can be just as affordable as over the counter products, plus you receive much better clinical results! With the use of these treatments, we can stop the abnormal cells from producing their brown pigment, and essentially “shut them off” causing the brown patches to fade away.

Prescription-strength skin care containing medications like hydroquinone, Retin-A and glycolic acid used in conjunction at home can dramatically reduce or eliminate melasma. To speed up the fading process, medical grade chemical peels can also be utilized. Chemical peels will repair the damaged skin cells and add a healthy glow. As an added bonus, they improve the tone, texture and clarity of skin, reduce or eliminate age spots, freckles and hyperpigmentation, including melasma, soften lines and wrinkles, clear acne skin conditions, reduce acne scars and stimulate the production of collagen. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a common acid to treat melasma.

The key to the success of any melasma treatment is diligent use of sunscreen daily with SPF 50 or higher that blocks out both UVA and UVB rays. The minute the sun’s rays shine on your skin the melasma will start producing pigmentation all over again. When you have worked so hard to undo it, the last thing you want to do is start the process over again. In addition, Melanie, you need to always wear a wide-brimmed hat when you are outside. The abnormal skin cells (the brown ones) in melasma multiply rapidly when exposed to the sun. You may notice when you are exposed to the sun, or go “tanning” in a tanning bed or simply laying by the pool, that the brown patches become much worse. This is because these abnormal brown cells multiply like rabbits with sun exposure! Melasma can be very difficult to treat, and once it is treated, it can return very easily after any sun exposure.

Be sure to talk to your medical skin care specialist, Melanie, for a skin evaluation to determine if you do in fact have melasma. Remember there is no cure for melasma, but it is treatable with the right treatment plan and lots of sunscreen!

Jennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, practicing in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne. She is a sought after speaker at medical conferences such as the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. Jennifer is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. She received her Nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Goshen College, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on medical aesthetic procedures.

Do you have a question for Jennifer, about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future columns. Questions can also be submitted online at www.veinmedicalspa.com.