Melasma

Melasma; also known as ‘chloasma’ or ‘pregnancy mask’ is a common skin condition that develops in adults where brown or grey coloured patches of pigmentation  develop on the skin, usually on the face.

Melasma is more noticeable in the summer as your skin is exposed to more sunlight and seems to improve during the winter months.

Melasma is not an infection of the skin and is not contagious. It is also not cancerous and will not develop into skin cancer.

The specific cause of Melasma is still unknown, but it is reported to be because of the pigment-producing cells in the skin (melanocytes) producing too much pigment (melanin).

Factors that can contribute to developing melasma, include;

• Pregnancy
• Birth Control Pills
• Hormone Replacement
• Medical problems that affect hormones
• Certain medications medications  such as anti-epileptics.
• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
• Use of sun-beds
• Phototherapy

Melasma is more commonly developed by women, particularly during pregnancy where up to 50% of women can be affected. It is also more common in people of colour and those who tan very quickly. Melasma is not hereditary but it is more common in people with a family history of the condition.

Melasma is most commonly diagnosed by appearance alone usually by your GP.

In some cases, a dermatologist may recommend that a small sample of skin is removed under local anaesthetic for examination under the microscope (a biopsy) in order to exclude any other conditions.

Melasma treatment is difficult. At The Private Clinic we have a variety of treatments to help reduce the apperance of Melasma but these should not be seen as a cure.

If melasma occurs during pregnancy, in most cases it will dissapear again a few months after delivery of the baby but it may return should you become pregnant again.

At The Private Clinic we do not treat any paitents who are pregnant and recommend that any type of Hydroquinone and retinoid creams are avoided in pregnancy as they could cause harm to the baby.

Our range of treatments can help to reduce the appearance but it is important to remember that, melasma will most often return after stopping the treatments so patients should expect to continue with regular treatment to achieve the best results.

At The Private Clinic we have a range of treatments to suit all skin types to help reduce the appearance of melasma on the skin.

Chemical Peel
Chemical peels can help to improve melasma by removing the outer cells of the skin that contain the pigmentation.

Microneedling
Dermaroller or Dermapen treatment works to create controlled damage to the skin which promotes new collagen and healthy cells to form which helps to improve your skin’s texture reduce the appearance of melasma and other types of hyperpigmentation.

Obagi Nu-Derm System
Melasma can be treated with prescription topical agents such as our Obagi Nu-Derm system. This is a series of skin care products which contain prescription 4% hydroquinoine to help reduce the visible signs of hyperpigmentation.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a method by which very fine crystals are vacuumed across the skin under pressure. The treatment works to increas the cell turnover rate, which speeds the transit any unwanted pigment out of your skin. Microdermabrasion is usually combined with a chemical peel but can be performed as a stand-alone treatment for very mild forms of Melasma.

Laser Skin Resurfacing
Some forms of Melasma can be effectively treated using our Laser Skin Resurfacing treatment. We offer Pearl Laser Skin Resurfacing, Pearl Fractitional Laser Resurfacing or Pearl Fusion Laser Skin Resurfacing. The three different treatments allow practitioners to create the most tailored experience for your skin’s needs and achieve the best possible outcome.

To find out more about which melasma treatment is going to be best for you. Book a free consultation with one of our skin experts.