Melasma is an unpleasant skin condition that appears in the form of a brown or greyish patch or spots on the face. This condition can affect both genders, but it is more common among women. It often occurs due to the overproduction of the skin cells responsible for your skin colour. There are three known types of melasma, and they are:
- Epidermal
- Dermal
- Mixed Melasma
While these conditions are not harmful to your health, there are several other skin conditions similar to melasma, that can adversely affect your skin. For this reason, it is important to check with your skin doctor to ensure that your particular skin condition is properly identified. Melasma is self-diagnosable, but this is only possible if you are familiar with the various symptoms. Here are some of the most prevalent symptoms of melasma:
- It is characterised by spots and patches that are darker than your skin
- It appears on the cheek, nose, forehead, or chin areas of the face
- It often covers a large area of the face
- It is not painful and does not itch
Common Causes of Melasma
A few known factors trigger melasma in both men and women, and the severity with which melasma develops on the skin, varies from patient to patient. Here are some significant causes of melasma.
- Medication: specific medications, like antiseizure and contraceptive drugs, can cause these patches to appear on some people.
- Genetics: most skin conditions are not hereditary, but about 30 – 50% of melasma patients have confirmed that the condition has also affected another member of their family.
- Hormones: some hormones, like progesterone and estrogen, have been figured to trigger this condition in women. Pregnancy hormones can also cause melasma.
- Cosmetics: it is rare for cosmetics to trigger melasma, but some can cause phototoxic reactions that develop into melasma.
As earlier stated, this condition can appear in different proportions in different people. But some factors like infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause it to become worse.
Is Melasma Treatable?
Yes, melasma is treatable. However, melasma may be among the most challenging skin conditions to treat. This is because your skin doctor will need to first figure out the cause of your condition before deciding on a treatment plan for you. There is no definite treatment for melasma, and your doctor will likely suggest a skin therapy depending on your skin’s texture and distinct nature.
Moreover, melasma can go away without any treatment at all. In fact, most patients just wait it out, as it often takes about three months of staying out of the sun for the patches to disappear naturally. But it is essential that you notify your skin doctor as soon as you notice any strange appearances on your skin, to ensure that the condition that you have is benign.
Clinical Treatment Methods for Melasma
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels utilise alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids to remove or ‘peel’ the outermost layer of your skin. Doing this helps to remove any irregularities from your skin such as those caused by melasma, while also helping to promote the growth of new skin cells. Chemical peels for the treatment of melasma are most successful when used in conjunction with a skin lightening agent. This results in a more consistent skin peel, while reducing any instances of post-treatment hyperpigmentation.
Skin Needling
Skin needling concerns the application of tiny needles into the skin of the treated area. These needles create miniscule puncture wounds (pores) that enable the contents of topical substances to permeate the skin, where your body’s bloody vessels and pigmentation cells are found. Skin needling achieves optimal results when combined with a topical ointment. There is no evidence to suggest that attempting to treat melasma without a supplementary ointment, will yield a satisfactory outcome.
Cosmelan
Cosmelan treatment has been specifically designed to reduce the appearance of various skin conditions, include pigmentation. The first step of Cosmelan treatment, involves the application of a ‘Cosmelan peel’ by a registered nurse. Following this, the peel is removed at home by the patient. 4 days later, the patient will return to the clinic and receive LED treatment. Once the peeling process has completed, patients can expect their skin to appear refreshed, with a complete absence of pigmentation.
Conclusion
Melasma is a skin condition that affects the face and manifests itself by through the onset of tiny brown spots and patches. Although the coloured skin patches themselves are not harmful, their position on a person’s face makes them aesthetically undesirable. This article contains vital information about melasma and the various clinical treatment methods available to manage the condition.
If you’re suffering from what you believe to be melasma, or any other skin condition, get in touch with our doctors today and find out how we can successfully treat your condition.
