Melasma – treatment

Melasma, otherwise known as chloasma, is a fairly common skin problem that mostly affects women. Melasma is also-called "pregnancy mask" due to the fact that it often appears in pregnant women.

Ophthalmia is not a health risk and does not cause physical discomfort. However, it can cause psychological discomfort because it occurs on the face, making it a defect that is difficult to hide.

What are the symptoms of melasma

Typical symptoms of melasma are brown or brownish-gray, flat spots on the cheeks, forehead, back of the nose, above the upper lip, and on the chin that take many shapes and forms. Occasionally, spots also appear on the forearms and neck. Skin lesions usually become more prominent in summer and disappear in winter.

In whom melasma appears

Melasma most often appears on the skin of women, but it can also occur in men. People with darker skin and those who have a close family member with a history of melasma are more likely to develop chloasma. The appearance of chloasma is also related to age and affects up to 50% of people over 30 years of age.

What are the causes of melasma

Brown spots occur when the cells responsible for coloring the skin (melanocytes) produce too much pigment (melanin). Dark-skinned people are more susceptible to osteoma because their melanocytes show more activity than those with lighter skin.

Three main factors are responsible for excessive melanocyte activity:

1. Skin exposure to UV radiation (sun, solarium, phototherapy). Even short-term exposure to UV light can cause dark spots on the face. Sometimes skin lesions that faded in the winter turn an intense brown color again with the onset of summer. If chloasma appears as a result of sun exposure, sunscreen with a high SPF is an effective method of prevention. You should also avoid solarium and UV light therapy.
2. Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, birth control pills or hormonal medications.
3. Some skin care products.
4. Medications.

Is melasma treatment necessary

Treatment of melasma is not necessary because it does not pose a health risk. However, the fact that it occurs on the face can cause serious psychological discomfort. Osteoma may disappear on its own when the skin is not exposed to UV rays or when the hormonal factor disappears (end of pregnancy, discontinuation of hormonal medications). However, some people struggle with this condition their entire lives.

How to treat melasma

Currently, there is no method that can cure melasma, which is the inhibition of excessive melanin production in skin cells. However, there are therapies that can lighten the dark spots on the face so that they become almost invisible. A dermatologist may suggest to the Patient:

• taking medications applied directly to the face
• facial skin treatments such as chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, laser treatments etc.

It is important that facial treatments are performed by an experienced dermatologist or cosmetologist. By doing so, the treatment will be safe and effective. Once the dark spots have subsided, maintenance therapy may be necessary to prevent the treatment effects from recurring.

Treatments for melasma in the Zakrzewscy Clinic of Aesthetic Medicine and Dermatology

At our clinic, we offer modern forms of therapy that effectively lighten dark spots. Depending on the depth and nature of facial lesions, we offer Patients:

1. Laser therapy Discovery Pico Plus
2. Chemical peelings
3. Mesotherapy treatments
4. HydraFacial treatments
5. Dermamelan treatment.

Therapy often begins with the creation of personalized cosmetics Universkin, which are individually adapted to the needs of each Patient.

If you want to remove unsightly brown spots on your face or you are concerned about the condition of your skin, we invite you to a professional medical consultation, during which we will assess the skin change and present available treatment methods.

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