How to prevent Melasma triggered by heat when planning a beach vacation?

Question

My Melasma darkens horribly every time I have been on a beach vacation even when I use Skin Ceuticals CE Ferulic, under Zinc Oxide sunscreen, under makeup with sunscreen all religiously reapplied every 2 hours -huge sunglasses, and brimmed hat. The only thing I can think that is triggering it is simply the heat itself. I am not on birth control. Can anyone recommend something I can do to prevent the Melasma from being triggered? Will Obagi Blender mixed with Tret prevent it?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

I would recommend a combination of Melarase creams twice daily, Melapads, Hydrase Soy Facial Cleanser, and light chemical peels to help with melasma. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Steven Swengel, MD · Answer

You discovered on your own that melisma can be exacerbated not only by UV light, but by infrared heat as well as visible light.  That makes it very difficult to control your environment enough to protect from all three.  Zinc totally covers you regarding UV light.  There are some newer sunscreens coming out that specifically address visible light and infrared.  Two that we offer are Skin Medica: Total Defense and Revision: Intellishade.  All of our melisma prone patients are encouraged to use these products over pure zinc based sunscreens.

How to prevent Melasma triggered by heat when planning a beach vacation?

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