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Normal cutaneous pigmentation is due to the biosynthesis of the pigment melanin produced 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 irregular and abnormal spots appear 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 women who are pregnant, 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 represented by chunks of uneven dark skin on the face. These brown colored spots tend to appear on the lips, forehead, or cheeks. Some causes of melasma could include genetics, oral contraceptives, hormonal changes, and excessive sun exposure but skin specialists can't completely pinpoint the reason why they show up. And even though it is a very common skin affliction, and there is no unanimously accepted reason why they show up, it is considered very hard to treat.

Melasma Treatment The most common treatments 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 erase the spots.

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

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

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

Skin Bleaching creams should only be used under rigid medical supervision. Skin lightening can take a few months to show signs of observable difference. In order to get the preferred results, one needs to be diligent 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 since it can damage the melanin production and could foster a cancerous reaction.

Melasma Laser Removal. Hardcore cases of melasma can require chemical peels or even plastic surgery methods. Chemical peels can be alluring 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 substantially less than the 6 months to a year needed for topical treatments. But chemical peels can sear 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 major medical treatment. Increased redness and scabbing are possible side effects of this treatment.

These are reasonable options, but why not select a treatment that won't sear your skin or impede melanin production?

Fortunately there is now a breakthrough 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 Müller Glycoconjugates which dissolve the upper layer of dead cells with each application, activate and orchestrate the regenerative 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 special choice for treating melasma and much faster than what can be achieved with the use of topical bleaching agents alone. Different melasma lotions are obsolete treatments for melasma and a wide range of other hyperpigmentation skin ailments and the more common brown sun spots and age spots.

The first ingredient we mentioned is a natural complex compound that deeply infuses the skin and activates skin regeneration. It is teeming with (a) biological enhancers of intercellular and intra cellular communication, (b) enzymes that dissolve damaged tissues and trigger their regeneration with the amino acids they liberate, and (c) antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and moderate inflammation. The ingredient already yields a complete and balanced acne scar removal skin care solution.

The same lotion made with this biological substance 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 undesired side effects. It is not a skin bleaching agent that can trigger a cancerous reaction. The glycoconjugates work naturally with the cells in your body in order to rejuvenate the skin and restore its natural defense mechanisms.

Injured cells are flushed out with diligent application of this natural skin care ingredient twice a day. Melasma marks 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.

Ulrich Birkkjaer is in the team that developed the melasma treatment formulation, for exfoliation of hyperpigmentation and vanishing a variety of skin issues like age spots and sun spots, and safely treating melasma during pregnancy.