What Is Melasma?
Melasma presents as patches of hyperpigmentation (darkened skin) on the face, typically symmetrically distributed on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. These patches appear darker than the surrounding skin, ranging from light brown to greyish brown. The contrast between affected and unaffected areas can create an uneven skin appearance, leading to self-consciousness and a desire to conceal or treat the discoloration.
What Causes Melasma?
Melasma’s exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to stem from a combination of genetic predisposition, hormonal fluctuations, and sun exposure. Hormonal changes, such as those during pregnancy or while taking birth control pills, can trigger melasma by stimulating melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment. Sun exposure exacerbates melasma, as ultraviolet (UV) rays stimulate melanocytes to produce more pigment. Additionally, certain factors like medications, cosmetics, and thyroid disorders may contribute to its development. Although melasma does not pose health risks, its impact on appearance can impact one’s confidence significantly.
How Can I Treat Melasma?
Effective management typically involves sun protection, topical treatments (medical grade skincare products), and occasionally, procedures such as Obagi Blue Radiance Peel as they can improve the overall condition of the skin or microneedling which involves creating tiny punctures in the skin with fine needles, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture. Topical prescription products results can be very impressive as pigmentation lifts and the skin complexion becomes more even with consistency. At Takroni Clinic we can prescribe these medical grade skincare products and your progress is monitored by one of our skin therapists to ensure you are reaching your goals. As the cause of melasma is multifactorial, your treatment will involve maintenance and therefore we can help to guide you on your journey to managing your pigmentation.
