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Melasma Hyperpigmentation: Causes & Best Treatments

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Hyperpigmentation and Melasma are two of the most common skin conditions that cause skin pigmentation and discolouration, but they are not the same condition.

Hyperpigmentation is a very broad diagnosis for any type of skin condition that causes discoloured or darkened skin. Common causes are sun damage, acne scarring and inflammation.

Hyperpigmentation can appear as freckles, dark spots, sun spots or large fark areas and vary in severity from covering small areas of the face to much larger areas.

What is melasma?

Melasma is actually a very common pigmentation disorder that appears as brown or even grey coloured patches upon the face. Women are more likely to be affected than men.

You are most likely to see melasma on the upper lip, cheeks, forehead, or bridge of the nose but it can also appear on the shoulders, neck, and forearms.

What causes Melasma?

The cause of melasma on face can be tricky to determine but it is thought to occur when the colour making cells in the skin known as melanocytes produce too much colour.

There are known triggers for melasma, the most common being a change in hormones which can occur during pregnancy, but other factors include:

  • Birth control medication
  • Skin care products
  • Sun exposure
  • Genetics

You are also more likely to be affected by melasma if you are from an Asian, middle eastern, Mediterranean, African, Indian, or Latin descent with darker skin tones.

Do I have melasma?

Melasma can be diagnosed following a consultation with either a doctor or dermatologist. They may take a biopsy which involves removing a very small section of skin which will then be examined in a lab.

As melasma is commonly misdiagnosed as other skin hyperpigmentation conditions it is best to get a proper diagnosis before trying to treat melasma.

How is melasma treated?

In most cases, especially if the melasma is as a result of hormonal changes due to birth control medication or pregnancy then it will gradually fade once you give birth or stop taking birth control.

If melasma is showing no sign of fading, then there are treatments available to help remove or fade the patches.

Melasma and Hyperpigmentation treatments

Obagi

We have a great range of products available at our clinics and after a consultation with one of our skin specialists, they will be able to recommend a great treatment plan to help reduce the appearance of melasma. The Obagi Nu-Derm system is a great prescription treatment option and best treatment for melasma on face. The Nu-Derm system is a complete skin care system that uses prescription strength hydroquinone that is formulated to target skin discoloration and help you achieve a more healthier looking and even skin tone.

Chemical Peel

We have a wide range of skin peel treatments available which can be customised to address your skin type and any skin concerns including melasma. Chemical peel treatments work by helping to remove skin cells that contain excess pigment to achieve a brighter and more even skin tone.

Other treatments include microdermabrasion which can be used in combination with the treatments above to help to achieve the best results and maintain them with regular treatment.

Laser treatments such as the Pearl Laser Resurfacing treatment can be used to treat melasma however in some cases it can make it worse so a thorough assessment of the skin would need to be carried out ahead of treatment. In most

How to avoid Melasma and Hyperpigmentation?

Taking care of your skin is the best way to avoid melasma and hyperpigmentation. This includes wearing sun cream everyday and avoiding excessive sun exposure.

Hyperpigmentation melasma treatment at The Private Clinic

To find out more about our treatments for hyperpigmentation and melasma, contact us on 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.

Treatment clinics are located in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Northampton.

FUE Hair Transplant – Steve

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Steve Ashworth is a Patient Coordinator at our Birmingham Clinic and aged 33 he decided to have a FUE Hair Transplant procedure with Dr Michail Mouzakis.

“I first decided that a FUE Hair Transplant was the right procedure for me compared to other hair transplant treatments because of the minimum downtime required after treatment it all seemed very straightforward and fitted into my life and routine easily”

Steve first noticed the signs of hair loss aged around 18/19 and has had very low self-confidence for the years following.

“My confidence was extremely low for many years, I wouldn’t ever let anyone stand over me or I would never walk down stairs in front of anyone as my crown was very visible.”

Steve has worked in the aesthetics industry for many years so he had good knowledge of the FUE Hair Transplant procedure but finding the right surgeon was the biggest challenge. In Steve’s job role at The Private Clinic he started working alongside FUE Hair Transplant surgeon Dr Michail Mouzakis and finally decided that he was the right surgeon for him.

“I have been working closely with Dr Mouzakis and he has won me over with his knowledge and his nice manner. The patients safety and comfort is at the forefront of what he does which I think is the most important thing to look for in a surgeon, as well as the fantastic results.”

On the day of his procedure Steve was initially feeling a little nervous but this soon turned into excitement after having his pre-op consultation with Dr Mouzakis.

 “I was asleep for most of the extraction (removal of the hair follicles from the back).  I felt no pain at all which I was quite surprised about. Dr Mouzakis is a very gentle surgeon and he really looked after me in theatre.”

Steve had his FUE Hair Transplant procedure on a Monday and was back to work on Wednesday with the majority of the initial wounds being healed up by Thursday and now 6 months post-procedure he is over the moon with his results so far and can’t wait to see how it looks after the next 12 months.

“It was amazing how quickly I healed.  Everyone has been so supportive and they can’t believe how amazing my results are 6 months in.  My dad is even thinking of having a Hair Transplant and he is 67!”

See below for Steve’s hair transplant video diary;

“When I speak to my patients, who have never met me before, and I tell them I’ve had a Hair Transplant they can’t believe me until I show them my before pictures.”

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*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

Breast Reduction – Emily

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Emily is 22 years old and had a bilaterial breast reduction with Medical Director, Mr Adrian Richards at the Shelburne Hospital.

Watch Emily’s video and find out more about her reasons for deciding on surgery and how it has changed her life.

I don’t have any body hangs ups now, I feel very confident again and can wear whatever I like.

Emily had always struggled with the size of her large breasts as they weighed heavily on her back.  This impacted on her enjoyment of taking part in certain sports and choosing clothes to wear.

She spoke with many people before deciding on the surgery to make sure she got lots of information and advice.  The team at the Paddocks clinic in Princes Risborough made her feel calm and relaxed and she feels she made the right decision for her.

Book a consultation today

*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

Varicose Veins – Jen

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Jen had been feeling insecure about her legs for a long time but since she noticed varicose veins starting to appear she has felt even worse as no amount of diet or exercise was going to reduce the appearance of them.

“For every girl displaying their perfect pins on Instagram, there’s me hoping they don’t show or hiding them away.”

Jen had varicose veins on both of her legs with her left knee being the most prominent, this was the one she wanted to focus on first with the aim of getting her right leg treated too if successful.

It wasn’t just the physical appearance of the veins that bothered Jen. She found herself feeling uncomfortable and her legs feeling heavy if she had spent the day on her feet. Jen also experienced itching and discomfort around the vein on a regular basis too.

Jen initially went to see her GP to try and find out the cause of her varicose veins but the usual causes did not apply to her which left her feeling even more helpless.

“It’s usually related to pregnancy, being overweight (sure, I’d like to lose a few pounds but not so much so that I would fall into this category) or spending a lot of time on your feet. None of which apply to me and can’t be the cause. So why it’s happened to me, I don’t know.”

Although Jen tried not to let her varicose veins determine what she did and didn’t feel comfortable wearing she did find; especially in the summer months her fear of wearing a dress without tights particularly frustrating.

“You won’t find me in a short dress that exposes them (not without tights) jeans or trousers are usually my friend. Which has made heatwave dressing a challenge!”

Jen decided that the time had come to finally do something about her troublesome varicose veins and came to visit us at our Harley Street Clinic to find out more about our range of varicose vein treatments including EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation).

“I met with Mr Rittoo who immediately made me feel at ease. He explained the procedure and that it’s a fairly simple and quick – It’s walk-in, walk-out so minimal drama around it.  Which is good, I am of course nervous – as I think is normal having any sort of medical treatment really. But overall I’m really excited. I know I’m in great hands with The Private Clinic who have a long history of treating varicose veins.”

Jen went ahead with an EVLA procedure to treat the underlying causes of varicose veins and a micro phlebectomy to treat the visible branch varicose veins.

“Mr Rittoo – who saw me for my consultation, operation and follow up – plus his team were all fantastic. In particular the nursing staff too, who were very caring and comforting when was having a bit of a nervous wobble on the operation table.”

The procedure itself doesn’t take long and Jen was able to leave the clinic shortly afterwards once she was feeling ready to do so and soon enough Jen was back to work and her usual activities although taking a bit easier than usual of course.

“No-one would have noticed had I not mentioned it myself”

Jen is now four months post-procedure as is feeling really happy with the results of her EVLA treatment and despite some incision marks still being visible she is much more comfortable about exposing them.

“I am really delighted when I look at my leg and no longer see the varicose vein there that made me feel so insecure. I can’t wait until next summer when the small incision marks that remain will hopefully be all healed and I can wear shorts without feeling like an awkward turtle.  I would 100% return to The Private Clinic for the same treatment again and would trust them to take good care of me for that second leg.”

To read more about Jen’s Varicose Vein treatment story you can read her blog here.

Book a consultation today

*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

Tummy Tuck – Esther

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Esther is 55 years old and had tummy tuck surgery with The Private Clinic.

Watch Esther’s video and find out more about her reasons for deciding on surgery and how it has changed her life.

I wear my jeans with confidence now as I have a flat stomach.  It’s really changed my life.

Esther had previously had a number of surgeries for medical reasons which left her with scars on her abdomen.  She felt unhappy with their appearance and the excess skin on her tummy.

Esther did lots of research on her procedure and on her surgeon.  She visited  our Harley Street clinic three times prior to deciding to progress to surgery.  She feels so much better about her body and can confidently wear a bikini on the beach and feel happy that the scars that impacted her so much are no longer affecting her.

Book a consultation today

*All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.

FUE Hair Transplant – Doug

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Douglas is a boxing MC from Glasgow and travelled down to our Birmingham clinic from Glasgow to have a FUE Hair Transplant with Dr Michail Mouzakis.

Doug originally started to notice his hairline receding in his late twenties and working as a boxing MC found himself in the spotlight quite often and started to feel a little self-conscious and more aware of his hair loss. It wasn’t until more recently however, now aged 35 that he started to realistically consider a Hair Transplant.

“I had been considering a Hair Transplant for about a year. I researched everything, read every word ever written on FUE’s, I read the forums, watched the videos, read the reviews, considered going abroad and even had two consultations with two different clinics before travelling down to Birmingham to meet Dr Mouzakis at The Private Clinic.”

Doug had already done a vast amount of research on different Hair Transplant techniques, surgeons, results, complications and risks meaning he already felt well informed. He had also already attended previous consultations so felt he was clued up on what was and wasn’t possible and knew what to expect from a Hair Transplant consultation.

“I asked Dr Mouzakis some questions really to test his response… He answered everything exactly the way I hoped he would, was very honest about where my expectations should be and there were no false promises.”

“I also asked him some questions on cost and his response was perfect “I’m sorry Douglas, any cost questions you will have to take up with the office staff, to me you are a patient…not a client“. Decision made…we’ve found our man.”

Despite the distance he faced travelling from Glasgow to Birmingham and back for the procedure he decided that Dr Mouzakis was the surgeon for him and was willing to make the over three hundred mile journey knowing he was seeing someone he felt comfortable with.

“I live in Glasgow so the five hour drive was no easier than flying to Turkey for example but when undergoing a procedure to alter your appearance, there has to be more to the decision making process than simply cost.”

The FUE Hair Transplant procedure took place at The Private Clinic in Birmingham. Doug arrived feeling a little nervous as  expected but soon relaxed once he met with Dr Mouzakis again and went over any last questions and queries before starting the procedure.

Dr Mouzakis took great care to ensure that Doug achieved a natural hairline that matched his age as this often what causes Hair Transplants to look fake and unnatural which Doug definitely didn’t want.

“I can’t believe that I went into the clinic with a hairline that I hated and then walking out later in the afternoon with a hairline that is going to last, stay with me and it is exactly what I wanted.”

“Dr Mouzakis’s advice on my new hairline was superb and I’m already so pleased with the result. It looks very natural and as my wife said, it looks ‘age appropriate’”

Now a year on from his procedure Doug is sporting a new hairline and a new haircut too!

“I’ve now got long hair that I can actually style in different ways. For years I just had a number one cut all over because I was sick of the fact that my hairline was receding so I just went for a number one all over so having the freedom now to style it in quite different ways and try things out – I am just so pleased with the results”

To see Doug’s previous video diaries click here.

“I can honestly say to anyone who is thinking about having a hair transplant that I actually spent too long thinking about it and now if I could go back in time I wish I had just done it immediately so I could have been enjoying this hair line a bit earlier!”

Book your consultation today.

* All of our patient stories are based on the personal experiences of our patients and represent individual body shapes and results. Please bear in mind that result s may vary from person to person. All testimonies are provided voluntarily by our patients and clients. Their comments have not been altered in any way, and their experiences are their own.