Sun Protection with Sunscreen is a Determinant Factor for the Success of Melasma Therapy

Illustration of using sunscreen to treat melasma. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - The use of sunscreen is the most basic and crucial step in preventing and controlling melasma. Protection from ultraviolet light exposure helps suppress melanin activity, which is the main cause of dark spots on the face.

Without consistent protection, various treatment efforts are at risk of not providing optimal results, even triggering recurrence. Therefore, sunscreen is no longer seen as merely a complement to beauty routines, but an important part of a long-term skin care strategy.

However, protection from the sun alone is not enough. Lifestyle, compliance with therapy, and a realistic understanding of treatment results also affect the success of melasma treatment.

In everyday practice, many people still rely on trial and error methods, changing products without knowing the condition of the skin for sure. Not infrequently, the improvements that occur are only temporary, then followed by irritation or darkening of the spots that are increasingly visible.

Melasma is actually a chronic condition that requires thorough understanding. It is important to know the type of melasma you are experiencing, the triggering factors, the choice of safe therapy, and the limitations of the results that can be achieved.

Without this knowledge base, treatment efforts can potentially cause new problems on the skin. This is where education plays a very important role so that the handling is carried out properly and responsibly.

Launching ANTARA, a dermatologist in Pekanbaru, dr. Tanya Febrina, emphasized that melasma should be handled with a systematic clinical approach and tailored to the needs of each individual.

According to him, each skin has different characteristics, so it cannot be treated with a uniform method. A science-based approach and patient safety must be the top priority in every medical action.

Furthermore, melasma can be seen as a signal from the body. This condition invites someone to better recognize their own skin, be critical of the information circulating, and be more selective in choosing therapy. Although it often affects self-confidence, melasma is not a measure of a person's self-worth.

With proper education, competent medical assistance, and a more accepting attitude, melasma can be well managed. Even when the spots have not completely disappeared, a person can still live a more calm and confident life, because health and self-worth are never determined by skin color perfection.