Q Are there daily habits that can help manage melasma and age spots?
A The first priority in melasma management is UV protection — apply products with SPF50+ PA+++ or higher 30 minutes before going out and reapply every 2–3 hours. Since skin regeneration is active during sleep, a regular bedtime and sufficient sleep are important for pigmentation recovery. Intake of foods containing vitamin C, folate, and glutathione also helps inhibit melanin synthesis.
Detailed Answer
UV protection is the most basic principle of melasma management. Even on cloudy days, UV-A passes through clouds, so if you sit by a window for long periods indoors, make applying sunscreen part of your daily routine. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C such as kiwi, paprika, and broccoli, and polyphenol-rich foods such as green tea and blueberries daily strengthens antioxidant defenses in the skin. Chronic sleep deprivation and stress raise cortisol secretion, increasing melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), so management is needed.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, 11 PM to 3 AM is the time when the gallbladder and liver regenerate blood, so getting a deep sleep during this time directly contributes to maintaining facial complexion. As a Korean medicine lifestyle prescription for melasma prevention, drinking tea made with Job's tears (薏苡仁) and Poria (茯苓) daily removes dampness and makes the skin lustrous. If melasma is accompanied by irregular menstruation or menstrual pain, uterine and liver function improvement must also be managed together for faster pigmentation stabilization.
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