Alternative Treatment for Melasma?

Melasma is a chronic condition that can be difficult to treat. Treatment usually consists of bleaching creams, such as the Tri-Luma that you mentioned and other treatments (lasers, peels) and lifestyle changes (sun-protective behaviors).  It is important to remember that bleaching creams should be monitored by your provider as you should not be on them long-term and must transition off and back on again throughout your management of this condition. Aside from creams, there are some lasers and peels that can help to minimize the appearance of melasma, but the single greatest thing you can do to help prevent it from getting worse is practicing sun-protective behaviors.  This means wearing high-quality sunscreen (and reapplying), wearing hats, and seeking shade. Inflammation, heat, and hormones also play a role in melasma, so remember activities that cause heat and inflammation (such as waxing, sitting in saunas) may make the pigment appear worse.  Because of its chronic nature, it is easy to be discouraged, but by seeing a provider experienced in treating melasma, you can have a management plan that it easy to follow. 

Melasma is usually a recurrent skin condition that can sometimes be difficult to treat. Most importantly, melasma treatment begins with wearing suncreen daily. I recommend at least SPF 50 with UVA and UVB coverage aling with a physical blocker like zinc oxide. Sunscreen does deactivate within about 2 hours so be sure to reapply.

There are some skin lightening alternatives on the market. Some studies have shown antioxidants such as vitamin C to help lighten some pigmentation Another is Elure which is a new product that my patients have been finding good success with lightening their skin.  This is a natural occuring enzyme and is therefore not found to be irritating to the skin. You apply it twice daily and most patients see results within a month; some have seen improvement within a weef or 2. You do still need to wear sunscreen and protect your skin to minimize recurrence of melasma