Many individuals find that despite rigorous skin care, pigmented patches of skin still appear on their faces. Sun exposure or even hormone fluctuations can have major impacts on your appearance, leaving you at a loss. Luckily, Amavi Aesthetic Surgery is here to help patients combat unwanted skin conditions like melasma.
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Melasma is a common skin condition where brown or gray patches develop on the face in areas of high sunlight exposure like the cheeks, forehead, chin, and upper lip. Though sunlight plays a big role in the development of melasma, melasma patches are noncancerous and will not cause patients any physical discomfort on their own.
Melasma comes in multiple forms which are classified depending on the depth of hyperpigmentation. Knowing which form of melasma is present is crucial for optimal results. There are three main types of melasma—epidermal, dermal, and mixed:
Epidermal Melasma: Brown pigmented patches present within the top layer of the skin or epidermis.
Dermal Melasma: This form of melasma is present within the dermis and appears as blue or gray patches of pigmentation.
Mixed Melasma: Mixed melasma includes a combination of both epidermal and dermal pigmentation.
While the exact cause of melasma is unclear, several environmental and situational factors may contribute to its appearance. Most commonly, hormonal changes due to pregnancy or birth control pills can trigger melasma, but harsh chemicals found in certain cosmetic products and genetics have also been known to increase the risk of melasma. Additionally, sun exposure can worsen or trigger melasma since the sun stimulates the production of melanin.
The primary symptom of melasma is the appearance of dark, irregular patches on the face. Since these patches do not cause any discomfort, there are no other symptoms associated, but these patches may vary in size and shape and typically develop gradually over time. Melasma can be hard to self-diagnose in the earliest stages but usually appears symmetrical. Common areas for melasma to appear are:
Depending on the type and depth of melasma, there are a few different treatment options available to patients at Amavi Aesthetic Surgery. Typically, we utilize microneedling with a topical transexamic acid and oral medication to diminish melasma’s appearance. This treatment is best suited for surface and deep-set melasma; however, certain patients may benefit from an altered treatment plan.
For very minimal cases of melasma, medical-grade products containing ingredients such as retinoids or azelaic acid may help by inhibiting melanin production and promoting skin cell turnover. Alternatively, severe, deep melasma will require chemical peels to exfoliate the damaged layers and promote new, evenly pigmented cell growth.
