Melasma

What is melasma and how can you treat it?

Melasma is a very common skin problem that affects mainly women in their 20s to 40s. It presents as brownish patches on your face, mainly on both sides. very often, it is triggered by hormonal changes such as pregnancy or starting the pill.

Our treatments can improve 60 to 80% of melasma and make it fade or disappear but, very unfortunately, the risk for it to recur is quite high. Often, melasma comes back when your skin was exposed to the sun, even if it was just for a short moment.

We, therefore, recommend that you wear high-quality SPF 50 + sunscreen every single day, even during winter, to prevent it from coming back.

What is melasma?

Melasma is a skin condition that affects mainly women during their reproductive years. Studies have shown that as many as 8.8% to 40% of the female population suffer from melasma. The condition is more common in women with a darker skin type.

Melasma typically presents as smooth, brownish patches under your skin, mostly on both sides of your face. The reason for the brownish colour change is that some of your skin cells produce more of the brownish pigment melanin. This process is usually triggered by hormonal changes such as you starting the pill or during pregnancy.

What treatment works for melasma?

Many studies have shown that a cream containing a combination of hydroquinone, isotretinoin and a steroid works best. If you apply it regularly over a period of 3 months, it can improve up to 89% of melasma. On top of that, the addition of a prescription medication called tranexamic acid further fades melasma.

We usually recommend that you maintain your result with an anti-pigmentation cream that you use at home.

Furthermore, we recommend the Cosmelan anti-pigmentation program to maintain your results.

There is not much use for IPL and laser as this treatment can improve melasma but it can also make it worse.

Why do you not use IPL or laser for melasma?

Several studies have shown that creams and prescription drugs work better than IPL or laser. They are easy to use, effective and more affordable. In some cases, IPL or laser can worsen pigmentation and they usually only work for women with fair skin types. If you have dark skin, IPL or laser are unlikely to make a difference.

Is melasma different to my other brown spots or freckles?

Yes, melasma is different to dark spots and freckles and also requires slightly different treatment. Melasma is usually triggered by hormonal changes and affects mainly women. it presents as flat, brownish patches under your skin.

Dark spots happen as we age and affect men and women equally. Compared to melasma, where IPL usually does not work or even makes it worse, dark spots can be treated with IPL.

Freckles are inherited and most people have them from a very young age onwards. They are very small, brownish spots on our nose, cheeks or forehead. Most people find them quite attractive. But, if some people find them bothersome, we can treat them with anti-pigmentation creams and IPL.