This is particularly useful when the diagnosis is not obvious from clinical examination* (nails, extensor surfaces (elbows), folds on the face): Psoriasis lesions appear reddish Seborrheic Dermatitis (Seborrhoeic Dermatitis) lesions appear yellowish *It is typical to have this problem when the lesions are located on the scalp only Use a dermatoscope and look at the…
The new generation (that is non-hydroquinone based) depigmentation creams also work… They are not as a group more effective than hydroquinone-based topicals(HQ)… …However they do have a much lower frequency and severity of side-effects Contributors: Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland Source of Information: 2012 (09) – Sachdev M. 21st Annual Congress of the…
Hormones only provide a partial explanation to the pathogenesis of melasma (chloasma, mask of pregnancy) In a study involving 400 pregnant women: 16% of them had melasma even though it was not related to the stage of pregnancy Also the pigmentation was located more often on the arms which is an atypical distribution for melasma.…
Other articles deal with this issue however we can say here that lasers play a limited role: They are only indicated in the treatment of dermal melasma (chloasma, pregnancy mask). Even in this indication, the response is unpredictable* and the pigmentation tends to recur. Response to treatment has been reported for the following lasers (non-exhaustive…
Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic which inhibits the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. It has an antiallergic and antiinflammatory action. It might be effective in the treatment of melasma (chloasma, pregnancy mask): However tranexamic acid is in its inital stages and over the long run, the good results in the few reports* might not be…
Hydroquinone is the Gold Standard for treating Melasma (Chloasma, Pregnancy Mask). Numerous concentrations are used but a concentration of 4% in practice begins to be effective (and to have side-effects). Side effects include: erythema burning exogenous ochronosis confetti-like depigmentation In practice it is safe to use at 4% when closely supervised medically. Contributors: Dr Christophe…
Hydroquinone is the Gold Standard for treating Melasma (Chloasma, Pregnancy Mask). Numerous concentrations are used but a concentration of 4% in practice begins to be effective (and to have side-effects). Side effects include: erythema burning exogenous ochronosis confetti-like depigmentation In practice it is safe to use at 4% when closely supervised medically. Contributors: Dr Christophe…
In practice, when a patient is seen during a consultation, for a pigmentation problem, it is labelled “facial melanosis”. The most frequent cause of facial melanosis is chloasma (melasma, pregnancy mask) When in doubt should we do a biopsy on the face ? Yes, sometimes. Here are some other causes of facial melanosis: Leprosy when…
In practice, when a patient is seen during a consultation, for a pigmentation problem, it is labelled “facial melanosis”. The most frequent cause of facial melanosis is chloasma (melasma, pregnancy mask) When in doubt should we do a biopsy on the face ? Yes, sometimes. Here are some other causes of facial melanosis: Leprosy when…
Pigments There are two types of pigments (melanin) which determine skin colour in caucasians: Eumelanin: Has a photoprotective action Acts as a physical and chemical filter to light Absorbs free radicals in response to sun exposure Pheomelanin Is found most often in red-haired individuals Has a photoaggressive action Produces free radicals in response to sun…
