Melasma 101

Melasma is a common pigmentation disorder that causes brown or gray patches to appear on the skin, sometimes referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”. Melasma can appear in a variety of places but the most common areas are on the face, including the upper lip, cheeks, forehead, and even the bridge of the nose. This condition can also occur on parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the arms and neckline.

Although the disorder appears that it would be painful or irritating, there is no evidence of melasma being painful or harmful. It is also not a condition that is dangerous to anyone. Those who develop melasma are only inconvenienced by the way it looks rather than how it feels.

While the underlying cause of Melasma is not fully understood, there are many triggers.

Those triggers include:

1. Changes in hormones during pregnancy

2. Hormone treatments

3. Birth control pills

4. Over irritating products to the skin

5. Darker skin tones (Hispanic, Latin, African, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Descent- these skin tones have more melanocytes and therefore more pigment).

6. Sun exposure: Melanocytes, the cells that develop skin color, are affected by the harsh UV rays produced by the sun. This is why during the summer and warmer months of the year melasma spots appear darker.

Women are also much more likely to have Melasma than men; only ten percent of those who live with melasma are male and of those men, the majority have darker skin tones.

When first noticing Melasma your immediate first reaction may be to find a solution to correct it. Melasma is a condition which typically fades on its own but even if it does there is a possibility that it can come back. If you are not bothered by your melasma, then you are not required to treat it. If you are interested in treating your melasma I offer a variety of treatments which I am able to perform at Skin Care By Calie to help you do so:

1. Pigment Balancing Peels: The SkinCeuticals Pigment Balancing Peel is a customizable chemical peel targeting hyperpigmentation to dramatically improve the uneven appearance of photodamage, mottled skin. This peel combines high-performance brightening and anti-inflammatory agents with a powerful exfoliating solution to accelerate cell renewal and diminish localized hyperpigmentation, photodamaged skin, melasma, and acne-related discoloration. This peel should be performed every 2-4 weeks and a series of 4-6 treatments can be needed.

2. Dermaplaning: Dermaplaning is a physical exfoliation procedure. It requires the use of a sterile, surgical scalpel to gently “shave” the skin’s surface, removing the top-most layer of dead skin along with fine, vellus hair (aka peach fuzz). The procedure can be performed monthly,  with no downtime post-treatment. Dermaplaning is only performed on the face; however, it is not meant to be used to shape eyebrows, which are made up of “terminal” (not vellus) hairs. The nose is also avoided. Dermaplaning’s purpose is to give your skin an immediate exfoliation for a luminous glow that lasts weeks! The benefits are dewy skin, faster cell turnover, and smoother texture.

3. Using a Vitamin C every morning such as Phloretin CF or C E Ferulic. A Vitamin C serum is an essential step in any SkinCeuticals skincare regimen. These synergistic, high-concentration antioxidants are designed for optimized absorption in the skin and proven in peer-reviewed research to help prevent free radical damage that can lead to the appearance of premature aging. Vitamin C for skin can also improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.

4. Using a corrective product called Discoloration Defense every morning and evening. This product features a synergistic blend of anti-discoloration ingredients to reduce the appearance of skin discoloration, improve brightness, and minimize the reoccurrence of discoloration (with continued use). Studies have shown a 60% average improvement in the appearance of stubborn brown patches. If Discoloration Defense is used in the morning, apply after a SkinCeuticals vitamin C serum and follow with a SkinCeuticals broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen.

5. Using a Retinol Cream 2-3 nights a week.  I offer a variety of Retinol strengths including 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0.  A form of vitamin A, retinol or retinoic acid, is clinically proven to improve the appearance of aging skin, acne, and skin discoloration. Retinol helps promote cell turnover, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, and blemishes. When applied to the skin, retinol converts to retinoic acid and is often considered a more tolerable form of vitamin A.

As you can see there is hope for those who want to correct this skin issue with a variety of treatments.  The challenging part is knowing exactly what treatment is best for you and how it will correct the condition of Melasma.  That is something inwhich I will pride myself on and strive really hard to figure out with you. It is crucial for all treatments for any skin condition that it is tailored specifically for you.  Never forget that no matter what you are dealing with, you are beautiful and don’t ever think otherwise.