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DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid, and it is an omega-3 fatty acid necessary in the process of brain development. DHA also has an important role in heart health, improving vision, and in reducing inflammation. It is also responsible for the health of cell membranes, which directly affects your skin. Healthy cell membranes will give you healthy, soft and moist skin, whereas a weak membrane would cause dry, sad-looking skin.
DHA can help you have reduced sensitivity to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, so you are not as likely to have hyperpigmentation and other sun damage. It can soothe some effects of dermatitis, including dry and itchy skin. DHA has also been found to help with skin healing, and there are studies that indicate it may prevent skin cancer.
The commonest form of DHA is a fish oil supplement. Taking these can have some side effects, including nausea, halitosis and heartburn. There is also a possibility that ingesting fish oil may reduce your immune system’s activity, or interfere with your medication. Consult your doctor before taking DHA supplements. Topical application of fish oil doesn’t have any downsides other than an unpleasant smell.
Melasma is a specific example of hyperpigmentation. Melasma looks like whole patches of brown or darker skin across the parts of the face and neck. Melasma is common among women who are pregnant - it’s even referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.” But melasma can occur in both men and women who are not pregnant, too. Melasma can be caused by UV damage, but there are also genetic, hormonal, and medication-induced causes for melasma, too.
There are a variety of topical ingredients that can be used to lighten the skin from melasma or reduce its appearance. Each ingredient works in different ways, and each has their own benefits and drawbacks. hydroquinone, arbutin, vitamin C (ascorbic acid, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, etc) are some of the most commonly used ingredients for melasma treatment.
Hydroquinone is a skin lightening cream that works by suppressing the production of melanin. There are drawbacks to using hydroquinone, however, including cancer risks demonstrated by recent scientific studies, as well as hydroquinone-induced ochronosis.
Arbutin is a synthesized derivative of hydroquinone. It acts as a powerful skin lightening ointment that works a bit differently than hydroquinone. It blocks the production of melanin instead of “bleaching” the skin.
Vitamin C can be used as a brightening agent to lighten the hyperpigmentation of your sunspots or melasma. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase, preventing the formation of melatonin.
Ascorbic Acid is actually the formal scientific name for one form of Vitamin C. It can refer to either a naturally occurring Vitamin C found in foods such as citrus, or a synthetic form of ascorbic acid created to be more shelf-stable for skincare products like discoloration repair lotions and creams.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is another form of Vitamin C. By synthesizing this compound from Vitamin C, dermatologists are able to give us all the benefits of Vitamin C in a more shelf-stable form that can also be soluble in oil to make more effective, deeper penetrating skin products. (Herndon 2016)
Ingredients in the vitamin A family (ie. Retinol, tretinoin, etc) and acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid) help damaged pigmented skin cells shred faster, so they also help with melasma.
DHA may be effective for melasma, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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