Melasma Uncovered: Understanding, Managing, and Preventing Skin Discoloration

Explore the causes, treatments, and prevention tips for melasma to regain control over your skin's health and appearance.

Rediscover Your Confidence with MJ Exposé: A Journey to Melisma-Free Skin

Melasma is a common skin disorder that causes dark patches on the face and can have significant psychological effects, such as anxiety and reduced self-esteem, due to its impact on appearance. Managing melasma is difficult and requires long-term treatment. You can prevent melasma by avoiding triggers like oral contraceptives and UV exposure.

It is now considered as type of skin aging caused by sun exposure. Recent studies show that melasma has various underlying causes, including damage to the skin's elastic fibres from the sun, increased blood vessel formation, and a higher number of aging skin cells, along with the abnormal activation of pigment-producing cells.


Key Points:
 

  1. Genetic factors influence melasma, with a dominant pattern seen in facial cases. It's more common in light brown skins, especially in people of East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Hispanic origin.
  2. Melanogenesis (how the skin produces melanin) in melasma can be induced by UVB, UVA, or short-wavelength visible light (VL).
  3. Melasma may fade with aging and often disappears in women after menopause, but extrafacial melasma can persist longer.
  4. Successful treatment strategies can help improve pigmentation and prevent relapse, but there is currently no curative treatment available for melasma.
  5. Direct sun exposure is a leading risk factor for melasma, so wearing broad-spectrum tinted sunscreen and avoiding excessive sun exposure are crucial in preventing melasma exacerbation.
  6. Melasma is more resistant to treatment during pregnancy because of the persistent hormonal trigger for development of the disease.

What causes Melasma?

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 predominantly affects women with darker skin tones, such as those with Fitzpatrick skin types III, IV and V.

What's the difference between Melasma and Hyperpigmentation?

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.

What's the best way to treat Melasma?

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.

Client A before treatment

Client A before treatment

Client A after treatment

Client B before treatment

Client B after treatment

We have helped hundreds of women achieve clearer skin, aiming for a 50% to 80% reduction in melasma, often in a short period. When you start your treatment with MJ Exposé, it’s vital to follow the aftercare instructions closely. 

Your skin will be as delicate as a baby’s during and after treatment, so proper care is essential to prevent melasma from returning and to protect your sensitive new skin.

Our approach is both scientific and personalised, tailoring each treatment to your skin's specific needs for the best results. Our team of experts is committed to providing the highest level of care and support throughout your journey.

Join us, and let’s work together to achieve the clear, beautiful skin you deserve. Your journey to a melasma-free life begins here.

Book a Consultation & rediscover your confidence with MJ Exposé Book a Consultation & rediscover your confidence with MJ Exposé

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What's the best way to prevent 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.

Very high factor sun protection with colour indicated for skin with pigmentation imperfections.

mesoprotech® melan 130 pigment control

This dual-action sunscreen, with ZOX12® complex, protects against the damaging effects from UVA/UVB and IR-A rays, and from HEV light.

ZO Skin Health Primer + Sunscreen

SPF50+ photoprotection stick with a repairing action specific for sensitive areas and suitable for all skin types that protects the lips, eye contour, scars and spots.

mesoprotech® sun stick 100

Moisturizing and protective, Sun Cream SPF 50 helps to protect the skin from the harmful effects of sun exposure.

MCCM Sun Cream 50+ (Oil–Free)

Will Melasma go way?

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.

How can I stop melasma getting worse?

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.

In Conclusion

Managing melasma requires a comprehensive approach that includes understanding its triggers, using effective treatment options, and maintaining consistent sun protection. Although a complete cure for melasma is not yet available, with the right strategies, you can significantly reduce its impact on your skin and improve your quality of life. 

By staying informed and proactive in your skin care routine, you can help prevent melasma from worsening and maintain a clearer complexion. Always consult with a skincare professional to find the most suitable treatment plan for your specific needs.

Join us, and let’s work together to achieve the clear, beautiful skin you deserve. Your journey to a melasma-free life begins here.

Book a Consultation & rediscover your confidence with MJ Exposé Book a Consultation & rediscover your confidence with MJ Exposé

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References:

This article was written with extracts from the following scientific articles; You can find the full articles at the following links.