Melasma Uncovered: Understanding, Managing, and Preventing Skin Discoloration

Melasma, a common pigmentary disorder, is primarily triggered by factors like pregnancy, photosensitising drugs, and sun exposure. It appears as dark brown spots, usually on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip.

Sun exposure is a significant factor in the development of melasma. The process of melanogenesis—how the skin produces melanin—can be triggered by UVB, UVA, and short-wavelength visible light (VL). This underscores the importance of sun protection and avoiding photosensitising medications, which increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

Genetic factors also contribute to melasma, which predominantly affects women with darker skin tones, such as those with Fitzpatrick skin types III, IV and V.

Treating melasma is difficult due to its stubborn nature, unclear causes, and frequent recurrence.

Melasma and hyperpigmentation both cause darkened skin, but have different causes. Melasma appears as brown patches on the face, especially in sun-exposed areas. It's linked to hormonal changes like pregnancy or contraceptive use and worsened by sun exposure. 

Hyperpigmentation is a general term for skin darkening due to excess melanin, caused by sun exposure, inflammation, hormones, and injuries. While melasma is a specific type of hyperpigmentation with distinct features, hyperpigmentation includes a variety of conditions with diverse causes.

The best way to treat melasma varies depending on who you ask, as there are several different approaches. 

We believe our method is the fastest and most effective treatment available, but we encourage you to judge for yourself. While there is no complete cure for melasma, as skin specialists, we can significantly reduce its appearance. However, without proper skin care, melasma will return.

There are topical therapies, such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, steroids, and some other topical creams, and oral therapies like Tranexamic acid.

Procedures such as microneedling, peels, lasers and ultrasound therapy can accelerate results by increasing melanin removal from the epidermis.

Most therapies work gradually and carry a low risk of causing permanent hyperpigmentation. These treatments often take many months to show changes, which can lead to frustration and disillusionment for patients undergoing treatment.

Our experience has shown that the most effective way to treat melasma is by tackling the problem from multiple angles. By combining world-class, medical-grade cosmetics with the latest cutting-edge technology, we can significantly reduce the appearance of melasma.

Rigorous daily sun protection, including the use of tinted sunscreen (such as mesoestetic melan 130 pigment control and ZO Skin Health Primer + Sunscreen), are crucial for successful prevention and prevention of relapse.

Avoiding photosensitising drugs, such as: Antibiotics, Ibuprofen and Antihistamines.

There is currently no curative treatment (a treatment that will completely eradicating a condition) available for melasma. Therefore, managing melasma involves a combination of treatments (including sun protection) to control the condition and minimise its impact on quality of life.

Melasma may fade with aging and often disappears in women after menopause, but melasma in areas of the body other than the face can persist longer.

To prevent melasma from getting worse, it's important to protect your skin from the sun. Direct sun exposure is a major risk factor, so wearing broad-spectrum tinted sunscreen and avoiding too much sun is crucial. UVA and visible light can cause melanogenesis (the process how the skin produces melanin) even indoors or in the shade. Using sunscreens designed for pigment issues is important.

Avoid photosensitising drugs and cosmetics, and consider stopping contraceptive pills to help prevent melasma from worsening.