Melasma and depression

Dr. Irwin
May 25, 2013
I am a Melasma victim, it came on during menopause. I do not take HRT but I drink/eat soy milk & products which mimic estrogen. I'm confused, because I'm losing estrogen which I thought brought on Melasma so I drink/eat soy milk and products less now since researching. I avoid sun like the plague, take zinc/titinaum 2/3x, wear a hat, umbrella, sun protective, jacket, gloves, UVA/UVB window tint, heard mirrored tint is better, Vit C cream, RetinA, and bleach but nothing seems to work. Nothing so depressed :(

You truly are not alone. Many women with melasma or other pigment problems feel depressed at some point during their course. It’s a very frustrating problem because it’s so chronic and difficult to treat. But, there is hope, many women have found a regimen that works for them and keep it under good control if it’s not “cured.” Consider though that it might not be melasma.

 

Since you have tried many of the obvious things like good sunscreening, please see a good dermatologist. Women forget that there are many skin diseases that can cause an increase in pigment, not just hormones with melasma. It’s really important to try to pinpoint the diagnosis down accurately to make sure the treatment is successful.

 

Sometimes a tiny biopsy is done to see where the pigment is exactly in the layers of the skin and what type it is. The pigment may not be melanin the pigment in melasma. Again, other things, for example medications and certain diseases, can cause pigment in the skin to increase.

 

 

Good luck to you,  Dr. B I 

 

Read more information about understanding pigment problems.  

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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