Tana Ramsay, who married TV chef Gordon in 1996, told of her diagnosis of melasma, which is a skin condition characterised by brown or blue-grey patches or freckle-like spots
Tana Ramsay, pictured with Gordon, said she has a skin condition(Image: Philip Coburn)
Gordon Ramsay’s wife Tana has told she has been diagnosed with a skin condition after spending so much time in the sun.
The broadcaster and author said she has melasma, a common skin condition characterised by brown or blue-grey patches or freckle-like spots. The 51-year-old woman, who married Gordon in 1996, stressed she has been more vigilant in the sun following the diagnosis.
But it comes after Gordon revealed he had a skin cancer scare from sun exposure, and had surgery as a result last year. In her interview this week, Tana said she and her husband regularly liked to sunbathe but this has changed after her diagnosis and Gordon’s operation.
Speaking to The Times, Tana said: “Gordon and I used to bake. Now I have melasma… I’ll never forget going into a pharmacy and the woman behind the counter asking what the stains on my face were.”
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Gordon and Tana have been married for nearly 30 years(Image: PA)
Writing on social media, one fan said: “That’s alarming.” According to the NHS website, skin affected by melasma darkens more than the surrounding skin with exposure to sunlight, so sun-avoidance and sun-protection are important. Several factors contribute to the condition, including the use of some cosmetics and exposure to sunlight.
Gordon, aged 59, reminded his followers to “remember [their] sunscreen” when he had his skin cancer scare. A large bandage was applied to the side of his jaw underneath his ear after the surgery, but once removed, a photograph showed the bandage was covering several stitches.
Writing on Instagram last year, the TV chef said: “Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this Basal Cell Carcinoma, thank you!”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Basal Cell Carcinoma often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin and typically occurs on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck, after long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.
Gordon’s Instagram caption continued: “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend. I promise you it’s not a face lift! I’d need a refund…”
At present there is no cure for melasma, but there are several treatment options which may improve the appearance. Superficial pigmentation is easier to treat than deep pigmentation. If melasma occurs during pregnancy, it may resolve on its own within a few months after delivery and treatment may not be necessary.