Why Does Melasma Favor Women More?

Melasma, also known as butterfly spots, is a common pigmentary skin problem on the face. The main locations of melasma are the cheekbones, cheeks, nose, forehead, chin, and other areas, presenting as irregularly shaped yellow brown or black patches with unclear boundaries, without obvious subjective symptoms or discomfort.

When melanocytes are active in the skin and melanin particles are produced in large quantities, accumulating and depositing in the skin, dark yellow brown or black patches will form on the surface of the skin, leading to the formation of melasma.

1. Melasma Symptoms   

The symptom characteristics of melasma are obvious, which is an important basis for distinguishing melasma from other color spots.

Firstly, melasma often appears symmetrically on the face in the shape of a butterfly, hence also known as butterfly spots. And its onset time often occurs during pregnancy, lactation, and after oral contraceptives in women, closely related to female endocrine system, hence it is also known as pregnancy spots.

Secondly, the onset of melasma is largely influenced by liver diseases, which are also known as liver spots in traditional Chinese medicine and are significantly affected by sun exposure. When the sun exposure is severe, the symptoms of melasma will develop to a certain extent. On the contrary, if daily sun protection work is emphasized, melasma can also be alleviated to a certain extent.

Besides the above characteristics, the most important and apparent feature is that woman have higher risks suffering melasma, easier than men. The reasons for this is largely influenced by the following factors.

2. Factors Affecting the Formation of Melasma

2.1 Unique Triggering Factors

The causes of melasma are complicated, involving physiological disease such as endocrine disorders and liver diseases, medication factors such as oral contraceptives, as well as various factors such as pregnancy, sun exposure, use of cosmetics, and genetics. In addition to lifestyle habits, dietary structure, and liver disease, women are also more susceptible to the effects of contraceptive drugs, pregnancy and lactation, reproductive system diseases, and cosmetic use. Therefore, the probability of women suffering from melasma is much higher than that of men.

 

2.2 Emotional and Skin Factors

In general, women’s emotions are more delicate compared to men, and their skin health is relatively fragile. Therefore, women’s emotional fluctuations are more obvious, and their skin is also easily affected by this, producing a large number of pigment particles, leading to the occurrence and exacerbation of melasma symptoms.

2.3 Living Habits Factors  

Due to different social divisions of labor, women bear a greater burden in household chores, taking care of children, and family stress compared to men. Moreover, women often have poorer sleep quality than men in the household, making them more susceptible to the invasion of melasma.

2.4 Low Incidence of Male Diseases

Relatively speaking, the probability of men suffering from melasma is very low, mainly because among the many influencing factors of melasma, only genetic factors have a greater impact on men. Melasma is not a genetic disease, but genetic factors have a significant impact on male patients with melasma. The vast majority of male melasma patients have a family history, which is also why men are not as susceptible to melasma as women.

3. The Impact and Harm of Melasma on Women

 

Women are not only more sensitive to the invasion of melasma, but the impact and harm of melasma on women are also more obvious.

First and foremost, women pay more attention to facial health and beauty compared to men. The appearance of melasma will directly affect the patient’s mood and confidence, bringing enormous psychological pressure and even endangering their mental health. This will have a significant impact on the patient’s life, work, family, social life, and even greater psychological pain.

And then, melasma itself does not have much impact on physical health, but it indicates the presence of certain diseases in the body. Due to endocrine disorders, accumulation of metabolic waste in the body, and other factors, patients with melasma often experience symptoms such as lack of energy, menstrual disorders, and restlessness. These are not only the result of psychological factors, but also cannot be ignored in terms of physiological health changes.

Last, the appearance of melasma is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in female reproductive system diseases, as well as symptoms such as liver disease and malnutrition, which may occur when melasma occurs.

4. How to Prevent Melasma

4.1 Prevention First: Improving Lifestyle Habits

The appearance of melasma can be completely prevented. Patients can be well prepared before the onset of melasma and nip it in the bud. Therefore, attention should be paid to regulating and improving unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits in daily life, such as quitting smoking and drinking, avoiding staying up late, maintaining a happy mood, and strictly doing sun protection work. Avoid these adverse factors directly stimulating the skin, prevent excessive production of melanin, and effectively prevent and alleviate melasma.

4.2 Internal Adjustment and External Maintenance: Pay Attention to Critical Periods

Regulating the endocrine system is an important step in preventing melasma. In daily life, it is important to pay attention to skin care, especially during periods of high incidence of melasma such as menstrual disorders, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, and to strengthen care. Proper use of skincare products can improve skin and physical health from the inside out, significantly reducing the risk of developing melasma.

4.3 Scientific Response: Actively Treating Dilution

If melasma has already appeared, there is no need to worry excessively. Although there is currently no cure or prevention plan for recurrence in the market, laser and other medical beauty methods can effectively fade and eliminate pigmentation, minimizing its impact to the greatest extent possible. Combining daily preventive measures after treatment can usually achieve ideal therapeutic effects.

4.4 Long Term Management: Emphasize Daily Maintenance

Melasma has a profound impact on women and can easily cause distress. Therefore, women should pay special attention to daily skin care, starting from daily life and persistently doing preventive work, in order to avoid or reduce the harm caused by melasma.