Sun Protection Is Critical To Melasma Treatment

I’m always talking about the importance of everyone protecting their skin from the sun and about sun protection being the foundation of the best melasma treatment solutions.  

Sun protection is vital for people with any form of skin pigmentation.  It isn’t enough to wear a hat or walk on the shady side of the road or use sunscreen from time to time.

Tips For Protecting Your Skin From The Sun

1. Stay Away From The Midday Sun

Sunlight is strongest from 10 AM to 2 PM; it’s during these hours that you receive the most damaging UV rays. Avoid going under direct sunlight during these hours, or use lots of sunblock, long sleeves, and a hat with a brim to protect yourself.

2. Use Broad Spectrum SPF Protection and a Moisturizer

You probably slather on sunblock to protect yourself at the beach, but what are you doing to protect yourself from the sun every day? It’s the cumulative damage that you get from everyday exposure that will lead to aging skin and wrinkles [and skin pigmentation].

You can protect yourself from this daily attack by using a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) under your foundation. While SPF 15 is good, SPF 30 is even better [find a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum and which feels good].

3. Liberally Apply Sunscreen To All Exposed Skin

Use a lip balm with SPF protection for your lips.

Sunscreen should be applied evenly on the skin according to the label recommendations for the best protection from UV rays. [most people use far too little sunscreen and don’t reapply it often enough]

4. Also Use A Foundation With An SPF Sun Protection

If you have sensitive skin, you may find that using a makeup foundation with SPF is the best solution for daily use to protect your face from the sun. Double up on the protection by using it over a moisturizer with SPF.

You can also choose the newer mineral makeup; they usually provide protection from harmful rays without causing irritation or breakouts.

5. Use A Sunscreen Stick Or Mineral Makeup Powder To Protect Areas Around Your Eyes

The delicate skin around the eyes is very prone to fine lines and other signs of sun damage, so it needs to be protected. But get sunscreen in your eyes and you’ve got a stinging, irritated eye.

Instead, look for sunscreen sticks that allow more precise application, or use mineral powder around the eyes… 

In summary, if you go to the trouble of finding a good melasma treatment and finally solve the pigmentation problem, you need to change your approach to sun exposure or you are likely to see a return of the condition.

And aside from melasma treatment, we all want to keep our skin young and healthy.  Sun exposure is the quickest way to create prematurely aged, dry, wrinkled skin.

Now expect to go to some effort looking for the right sunscreen or sunscreen plus moisturizer. But it is worth the effort.  I like something which is light, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave a sticky feeling. If you are going to be using other products in your melasma treatment regimen of course you don’t want a sunscreen with a greasy consistency.

One last word, make sure the sunscreen can be trusted.  Not all countries are rigorous with their sunscreen regulations.  Try to get sunscreen from a country where there are regulations about what claims can be made and how the sunscreen must perform.