Melasma is a form of hyper pigmentation to the face and is more common in women than men. Commonly found on cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead, chin, and above upper lip but can also be present on parts of the body (neck and forearms) that is prone to excessive sun exposure.
Melasma is common in people with darker skin, such as those of Latin/Hispanic, North African, African-American, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean descent.
Melasma is usually more noticeable in summer months and slightly improves in the winter months.
It is not an infection, it is not contagious and it is not due to an allergy. Also, it is not cancerous and will not change into skin cancer. It can be hard to treat, but if properly diagnosed, various treatment options are available.
What are the causes of Melasma?
The exact causes are unknown however it is believed that the following can trigger melasma:
Contraceptive Pill, high sun exposure, hormonal changes, skincare irritation, genetics, pregnancy, ethical background, medication, stress and thyroid disease.
How to treat Melasma?
At OoLaLa Cosmetic Laser Clinic we start treating melasma with a special formulated crème called Hydroquinone with kojic acid or Simply Brilliant depending on the severity.
Further to these topical crèmes we offer and recommend the following treatments to help treat this condition:
- Vascular Laser Treatment/Yellow Laser 585
- Sunscreen
- Q Switch Laser/Nd Yag
- Medical Peel
- Skin Needling
- Microdermabrasion
At present there is no cure for melasma, but our several treatment options 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.
We also would like to mention the importance of sunscreen at all times as it reduces UV exposure and helps prevent the signs of aging.
