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What is Melasma?

Melasma is a chronic skin condition characterized by dark, discolored patches, usually on the face. It’s caused by an overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, in response to factors like sun exposure, hormonal changes, and genetic predisposition. Despite various treatments available to lighten melasma, achieving a complete cure is challenging for several reasons:

1. Chronic and Relapsing Nature:

– Underlying Causes Persist: Melasma is often driven by factors that can be ongoing, such as hormonal fluctuations (e.g., during pregnancy or from oral contraceptives) and UV radiation exposure. Even if treatment successfully lightens the pigment, the underlying triggers may still be present, causing the melasma to return.

– Sensitive Melanocytes: The pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in people with melasma are hypersensitive to stimuli like sunlight, he

2. Deeper Skin Layers:

– Dermal Involvement: In some cases, melasma pigments are located deeper in the dermis (dermal melasma), which is harder to treat than superficial (epidermal) melasma. This deep pigment can be more resistant to standard topical treatments.

3. Skin Barrier Limitations:

– Skin Sensitivity: Many treatments for melasma involve skin-lightening agents or exfoliants that can cause irritation if used too aggressively, leading to inflammation and a rebound effect (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that worsens the melasma.

Cysteamine’s Role in Lightening Pigmentation

Cysteamine is a topical treatment for hyperpigmentation, including melasma. It works through several mechanisms:

1. Inhibition of Tyrosinase:

– Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the melanogenesis pathway, responsible for converting the amino acid tyrosine into melanin. Cysteamine inhibits tyrosinase, reducing the production of melanin in melanocytes, which helps lighten existing pigmentation and prevent new pigment formation.