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 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 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 affected by this distressing, albeit cosmetic concern.

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

Melasma is most often characterized by chunks of uneven dark skin on the face. These off colored spots normally appear on the lips, forehead, or cheeks. Some factors of melasma could include genetics, oral contraceptives, hormonal changes, and excessive sun exposure but skin specialists can't completely pinpoint the reason why they form. And even though it is a very common skin affliction, and there is no universally accepted reason why they show up, it is considered very difficult to treat.

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

These melasma treatments can minimize the spots but curing is something completely different. Sometimes if melasma sufferers are fortunate, the patches fade with time but if not, advanced treatments need to be performed in order to return the skin to normal.

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

Dark Spots. The melanin in the skin absorbs the sun's UV rays in order to screen the skin from excessive radiation exposure. Covering yourself with high SPF factors found in sunscreens can help obstruct the rays from saturating the skin. All effective melasma treatments use sunscreens since even after the spots are gone, sufferers need to apply protection in order to prevent re-occurrence.

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

Bleaching agents work best on people with lighter skin tone. Doctor's need to give the authorization for any skin bleaching treatment since it can impair the melanin production and could energize a cancerous reaction.

Melasma Laser Removal. Intense cases of melasma can require chemical peels or even plastic surgery methods. Chemical peels can be appealing 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 methods. But chemical peels can scald the skin which actually markedly intensifies redness and infections and can yield an undesired thicker skin texture.

Laser resurfacing can remove the makes but this is a serious medical treatment. Increased inflammations and scabbing are possible side effects of this method.

These are reasonable options, but why not select a treatment that won't burn your skin or impair 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 M1/4ller 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 new alternative for removing melasma and much faster than what can be achieved with the use of topical bleaching agents alone. Contrasting melasma products are dated treatments for melasma and a wide variety of other hyperpigmentation skin blemishes and the more common brown sun spots and age spots.

The first ingredient we mentioned is a unique complex compound that deeply penetrates the skin and activates skin renewal. It is flowing with (a) biological enhancers of intercellular and intra cellular communication, (b) enzymes that dissolve damaged tissues and trigger their regeneration using the amino acids they release, 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 product made with this biological complex with the addition of a natural melanin inhibitor and a biomimetic peptide that blocks melanin biosynthesis helps to lessen melasma and other dark skin pigmentation disorders.

While this manner of melasma removal may take more time than chemical peels or laser surgery, it yields no dangerous side effects. It is not a skin bleaching product that can stimulate a cancerous reaction. The glycoconjugates react naturally with the cells in your body in order to renew the skin and restore its natural defense mechanisms.

Injured cells are wiped away with persistent application of this natural skin care ingredient twice a day. Melasma patches are diminished and ultimately erased 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 topical remedy, for exfoliation of hyperpigmentation and vanishing a array of skin issues like age spots and sun spots, and safely treating melasma during pregnancy.