Stubborn discoloration: A Common Skin Problem and Solutions

Are you searching for how to get rid of pigmented marks? If so, you have come to
the right place. stubborn discoloration is a burdensome condition that affects many
women – especially pregnant women. If you are dealing with the dreaded
“pregnancy mask,” you are not alone. Fortunately, stubborn discoloration is a
condition that can be corrected with remarkable success.
Stubborn discoloration, (also known as chloasma faciei, or the mask of pregnancy
when present in pregnant women) is a tan or dark skin discoloration. Although it can
affect anyone, stubborn discoloration is particularly common in women, especially
pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) medications.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of stubborn discoloration are dark, irregular well demarcated

pigmented macules to patches commonly found on the upper cheek, nose, lips,
upper lip, and forehead. These patches often develop gradually over time. Stubborn
discoloration does not cause any other symptoms beyond the cosmetic discoloration.
Stubborn discoloration is also common in pre-menopausal women. It is thought to
be enhanced by surges in certain hormones.

Stubborn discoloration Causes

Stubborn discoloration is thought to be the stimulation of melanocytes (cells in the

epidermal layer of skin that produce a pigment called melanin) by the female sex
hormones estrogen and progesterone to produce more melanin pigments when the
skin is exposed to sun. Women with a light brown skin type who are living in regions
with intense sun exposure are particularly susceptible to developing this condition.

Genetic predisposition is also a major factor in determining whether someone will

develop stubborn discoloration.

The incidence of stubborn discoloration also increases in patients with thyroid

disease. It is thought that the overproduction of melanocyte-stimulating hormone
(MSH) brought on by stress can cause outbreaks of this condition. Other rare causes
of stubborn discoloration include allergic reaction to medications and cosmetics.

Stubborn discoloration Suprarenale (Latin – above the kidneys) is a symptom of

Addison’s disease, particularly when caused by pressure or minor injury to the skin,
as discovered by Dr. FJJ Schmidt of Rotterdam in 1859.

Diagnosis
Stubborn pigmentation is usually diagnosed visually or with assistance of a Wood’s
lamp (340 – 400 nm wavelength). Under Wood’s lamp, excess melanin in the
epidermis can be distinguished from that of the dermis.

Solutions
The discoloration usually disappears spontaneously over a period of several months
after giving birth or stopping the oral contraceptives or hormone replacement
therapy.

solutions are often ineffective as it comes back with continued exposure to the sun.
Assessment by a dermatologist will help guide solution. This may include use of a
Woods lamp to determine depth of the stubborn discoloration cyspera pigment
corrector. solutions to hasten the fading of the discolored patches include:

Evidence-based reviews found that the most effective therapy for stubborn
discoloration includes a combination on topical agents.
In all of these treatments the effects are gradual and a strict avoidance of sunlight is
required. The use of broad-spectrum sunscreens with physical blockers, such as
titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide is preferred over that with only chemical blockers.
This is because UV-A, UV-B and visible lights are all capable of stimulating pigment
production.

Patients should avoid other precipitants including hormonal triggers.

Cosmetic camouflage can also be used to hide stubborn discoloration.

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