Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that, according to the National Institutes of Health, affects 5 million people in the United States. Although it is more common in women in their reproductive years, it can affect anyone. Exactly what is melasma, however?
At Timeless Laser & Skin Care, we offer the guidance and treatment options you need to manage this skin condition in Westlake, OH. Take a look at this ultimate guide to melasma.
Understanding Skin Hyperpigmentation: What Is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition that can cause patches or spots of skin that are darker than your natural tone. They usually appear on the face and are known by the colloquial name “the mask of pregnancy” because so many women develop melasma during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Usually, melasma develops as light brown, dark brown, or bluish-gray patches of skin. You may see flat patches or freckle-like spots. For most people, melasma spots develop on the upper lip, cheeks, forehead, and nose. Three types of melasma exist, including:
- Epidermal melasma
- Dermal melasma
- Mixed melasma
The first type, epidermal melasma, is usually darker in color and tends to have a defined border. You can see it under black lights. Dermal melasma, however, is lighter brown or blue, and it has diffuse borders. It is not distinguishable under black lights.
The most common type of these three is mixed melasma, with a mixture of bluish and brown patches. This type can be noticed under black lights, though not as well as epidermal melasma.
Melasma Causes: Are You Likely to Get Skin Hyperpigmentation?
Melasma develops from an overproduction of melanocytes — the cells that make up your skin’s color. If your hormones are fluctuating, as during pregnancy or when taking external female hormones, and you are exposed to UV light or heat, the melanocytes can start creating more pigment. Other melasma causes can include:
- Medications
- Use of certain cosmetics or scented soaps
- Waxing products
- Use of tanning beds
- Infrared saunas
Using an IUD that contains hormones or participating in fertility treatments can also make the development of melasma more likely. Some people are also predisposed to getting melasma. While the genetic connection is not yet clear, you are generally more likely to have skin hyperpigmentation issues if close relatives have it.
What to Know About Melasma Prevention
Although you can’t avoid your genetics, there are some things you can do to help prevent the development of melasma or the worsening of the condition. Try to ensure that you avoid:
- LED lights
- Hormone treatments
- Skincare products that cause irritation
- Hair removal treatments with wax
- Tanning beds
You also want to increase your vitamin D intake. For most people, adding more cereals, meat, and oily fish can be enough, but if not, you can also turn to a vitamin D supplement.
Melasma Treatment: Are There Options?
There are melasma treatment options that can diminish the appearance of melasma patches.
Protect Yourself From the Sun
Certain strains of treatment-resistant melasma need only a bit of sun to be triggered. Therefore, protecting yourself from the sun is vital. Always wear tinted sunscreen. Look for sunscreens that contain titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxide.
Wear sunscreen every day, without exception, even if the day is cloudy. We offer five different sunscreens, including options for oily skin, dry or sensitive skin, and more. You also want to wear a hat when you go out.
Use Topical Creams
If you have epidermal or mixed melasma, one treatment option you have is melasma skincare creams. Use 4% hydroquinone cream or a physician-strength retinoid as an alternative to other melasma treatments or in combination with those treatments. If you plan on getting light-based therapies, remember to stop both retinoid and hydroquinone creams at least one week before your appointment.
Try Perfect Derma Peels
We offer medical-grade chemical peels that can help promote the healing of hyperpigmentation issues. Our Perfect Derma Peel is effective and safe for all skin types. It is a medium-depth peel that offers salicylic acid, vitamin C, phenol, retinoic acid, and other beneficial ingredients.
Perfect Derma peels are also the only options available that contain glutathione, an antioxidant that can help lighten and brighten your skin. To maximize the results of the Perfect Derma peel, we recommend using melasma skincare options like retinoid and hydroquinone creams.
Turn to Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy uses a broad spectrum of light that generates heat and can eliminate the pigments that cause melasma. IPL is a flexible treatment option that we can adjust to suit your skin. We can vary the pulse durations, frequencies, and light spectrum to get the best results.
This type of therapy is an option best reserved for people who have tried other treatment options without success. It is not an appropriate treatment option for those who have dermal melasma.
Give Tranexamic Acid Tablets a Try
If you have melasma, you might benefit from tranexamic acid (TXA) tablets. Take them during the summer months, or when you know you will have a higher degree of sun exposure than normal. They work well with all three types of melasma but can be especially helpful for dermal melasma.
Trust the Experts to Treat Your Melasma
If you are prone to developing melasma issues, knowing what to do to manage the condition can help you prevent new patches while also offering help for preexisting spots. At Timeless Laser & Skin Care in Westlake, OH, we can offer melasma prevention tips as well as a range of safe, holistic melasma treatments.
From IPL therapy to melasma skincare products, you can count on us to help you effectively manage your melasma. Call today or fill out an online form to schedule a consultation.