Normal cutaneous pigmentation is due to the biosynthesis of the pigment melanin furnished by cells called melanocytes and the donation of melanin in melanosomes (organelles within the cells) to surrounding keratinocytes, which are those cells in the upper surface layer of the skin. The rate of melanin synthesis is determined by intracellular enzymes, the best characterized of which are tyrosinase, and the two tyrosinase-related proteins (TRP)-1 and TRP-2 or DOPAchrome tautomerase.

Normal pigmentation of the skin develops in response to exposure to UV radiation or sunlight. When abnormal and irregular patches develop on the skin, they are called melasma. And while melasma literally means dark skin (in Greek), and it is best known as the "mask of pregnancy" for it is more frequent among pregnant women, you don‚'t have to be pregnant (or even a woman!) to develop melasma. And if you think you‚'re silently suffering alone, think again. An estimated six million women throughout the U.S. are currently affected by this distressing, albeit cosmetic concern.

The dark patches occur because the same melanocyte cells that provide pigmentation to protect us from sunlight expand in number and produce higher amounts of melanin, causing the skin to turn tan or brown in irregular patterns.

Melasma is most often exemplified by patches of uneven dark skin on the face. These brown colored spots usually appear on the lips, forehead, or cheeks. Some causes of melasma could include genetics, oral contraceptives, hormonal changes, and excessive sun exposure but doctors can't completely pinpoint the reason why they show up. And although it is a very common skin affliction, and there is no universally accepted reason why they show up, it is considered very hard to treat.

Melasma Treatment The most common therapies for melasma include chemical peels, laser surgery, and bleaching skin agents. Bleaching creams and sunscreens can be impressive but they are not a certainty to diminish the spots.

These melasma treatments can lessen the spots but curing is something drastically different. Sometimes if melasma sufferers are fortunate, the patches vanish with time but if not, advanced treatments need to be carried out in order to return the skin to normal.

Sun exposure is the biggest culprit of melasma so sometimes it is just as simple as covering up in the midday sun.

Dark Spots. The melanin in the skin takes in the sun's UV rays in order to shield the skin from excessive radiation exposure. Covering yourself with high SPF factors contained in sunscreens can help prevent the rays from penetrating the skin. All successful melasma treatments use sunscreens since even after the spots are eradicated, sufferers need to apply protection in order to prevent re-occurrence.

Skin Bleaching agents should only be used under stringent medical supervision. Skin lightening can take a few months to show signs of distinct difference. In order to get the wanted results, one needs to be persistent in the application of the bleaching agent.

Bleaching agents work best on sufferers with lighter skin tone. Doctor's need to give the authorization for any skin bleaching treatment due to the fact it can deteriorate the melanin production and could foster a cancerous reaction.

Melasma Laser Removal. Severe cases of melasma can require chemical peels or even plastic surgery methods. Chemical peels can be attractive since they get rid of the upper layer of the skin and trigger the replacement of the burned cells with new cells. Healing time can be considerably less than the 6 months to a year needed for topical creams. But chemical peels can char the skin which actually markedly augments redness and infections and can yield an undesired thicker skin texture.

Laser resurfacing can expunge the patches but this is a serious medical treatment. Increased redness and scabbing are possible side effects of this treatment.

These are reasonable options, but why not opt for a treatment that won't burn your skin or impair melanin production?

Fortunately there is now a advanced topical treatment option that can hasten the quick reduction of melasma.

The new skin care option combines three novel ingredients that act synergistically to resolve melasma faster than bleaching agents. They are (a) Helix Aspersa Mƒ1/4ller Glycoconjugates which dissolve the upper layer of dead cells with each application, activate and orchestrate the renewal processes of the skin and have antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, (b) Rumex occidentalis a plant extract which is capable of inhibiting the production of melanin by blocking the enzyme tyrosinase and (c) a human growth factor peptide, derived from the melanocyte-stimulating-hormone which blocks melanin synthesis.

The synergy of their combined effects makes it a unique alternative for treating the brown spots of melasma and much faster than what can be achieved with the use of topical bleaching agents alone. Different melasma lotions are treatments for removing melasma and a wide variety of other hyperpigmentation skin ailments and the more common brown sun spots and age spots.

The first ingredient we mentioned is a unique complex compound that deeply pervades the skin and activates skin regeneration. It is over flowing with (a) biological enhancers of intercellular and intra cellular communication, (b) enzymes that 'digest' damaged skin cells and trigger their regeneration using the amino acids they unleash, and (c) antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and moderate inflammation. The ingredient already provides a complete and balanced acne scar removal skin care solution.

The same solution made with this biological ingredient with the addition of a natural melanin inhibitor and a biomimetic peptide that blocks melanin biosynthesis helps to remove melasma and other dark skin pigmentation disorders.

While this method of melasma removal may take longer than chemical peels or laser surgery, it yields no hazardous side effects. It is not a skin bleaching product that can trigger a cancerous reaction. The glycoconjugates work naturally with the cells in your body in order to repair the skin and restore its natural defense mechanisms.

Injured cells are dissolved with diligent application of this natural skin care product twice a day. Melasma patches are diminished and ultimately removed by the natural occurring enzymes found in the glycoconjugates, while the other two active ingredients block melanin biosynthesis and inhibit melanin production. The compounded effect of the trio hastens melasma treatment.