What is melasma? Why does melasma occur more in women than in men?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Tran Van Sang - Dermatologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Melasma is a condition in which brown patches appear on the skin due to an increase in the pigment melanin. Melasma occurs more commonly in women than in men.

1. What is melasma?

Melanin, also known as melanin, is the factor that determines the color of each person's skin. According to studies, melanin is an effective light absorber (can dissipate more than 99.9% of absorbed UV rays), plays the role of sunscreen and protects the skin from UV rays.
However, if too much is produced, this pigment will accumulate, concentrated in a certain area on the skin. This phenomenon is called melasma.
In women, melasma areas often appear on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead. Melasma in women causes a loss of aesthetics for the skin, which makes many women afraid and lack confidence in life.

2. Causes of skin pigmentation

There are many causes of melasma, of which 4 main causes can be mentioned as follows:
2.1 Sunlight Sunlight is the leading cause of negative effects on the body in which have melasma.
When the sun is in direct contact with the skin, it will lead to an abnormal amount of melanin. This is the cause of the dark spots forming and spreading. In addition, UV rays in the sun also destroy cells, break down structures under the skin, causing dry skin, aging, and even skin cancer.
2.2 Genetics In addition to sun exposure, genetic factors can also cause melasma. According to scientific studies, about 30% of people with melasma are determined by genetic factors.
2.3 Hormones Hormonal disorders make the amount of melanin pigment in the body increase rapidly, causing melasma. This is the answer to about 50-70% of pregnant women with melasma.
In addition, in stages such as puberty, menopause or using oral contraceptives are also causes of skin pigmentation. Usually, hormonal melasma can be easier to overcome, because when the body is If the hormone is stable, the melasma will disappear on its own.
2.4 Other causes In addition to the above causes, there are many other factors that cause skin pigmentation such as improper use of cosmetics, poor quality, unreasonable lifestyle, ..

3. Why does melasma occur more in women than in men?

In the world, about 3% of the population has melasma, of which melasma is more common in women, especially women entering middle age.
Causes of melasma in women account for a higher rate than men will be presented below:
3.1 Due to different hormones Hormones have certain effects on the phenomenon of melasma. Hormones have different differences between men and women, in women the hormonal disturbances or changes take place more than in men. This makes melasma in women more common.
3.2 Due to skin thickness Some studies show that men's skin is 7 times thicker than women's. Therefore, male skin is less affected by environmental influences such as UV, sunlight, air, etc., from which melanin is less produced and forms melasma.
In addition, time also causes erosion and aging of the skin, so melasma is often a higher risk for middle-aged women.
3.3 Due to the impact of cosmetics The effects of cosmetics are also the cause of skin pigmentation. Beauty thanks to cosmetics is an essential need of women, while the rate of using cosmetics is in men. usually very little. This explains why the rate of melasma in women is higher.
3.4 Due to the amount of collagen Collagen has an important role in skin cells, helping tissues to connect with each other and create elasticity for the skin. Collagen density in men is usually higher than in women. Therefore, at the same age, men's skin is often firmer and smoother than women's. Usually, from the age of 25 onwards, women's skin is more prone to aging and pigmentation problems than men.
In addition, psychological factors also affect a large part on the appearance of women in general and the problem of melasma in particular. Abnormal psychological changes, pressure, negative thoughts, unreasonable rest and living regimes also easily cause lifeless aging skin, melasma, dark spots,...

4. Preventing and limiting the effects of skin pigmentation

To prevent and limit melasma, you need to note the following points:
4.1 Should have a healthy diet Adequate water intake, eating lots of green vegetables and fruits will help the skin. Smoother and more vibrant.
4.2 Limit the effects of the sun Protecting your skin from UV rays caused by the sun is one way to reduce skin pigmentation. You should limit sun exposure at times of high UV density, so use sunscreens with an appropriate SPF.
4.3 Reasonable lifestyle and rest Getting enough sleep, keeping an optimistic mind, not worrying not only helps reduce stress but also helps to avoid hormonal disorders that cause skin pigmentation.
4.4 Be careful with cosmetics of unknown origin The use of cosmetics of no clear origin, poor quality can lead to unpredictable consequences for the skin such as allergies, acne, melasma, ... Therefore, before using any cosmetic, you should find out the information and clear origin of that product.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.