What is melasma and how to treat it

Melasma is a growing concern, especially in women. We explain what melasma is and how to treat it.

Table of contents

1 Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation of the skin that usually appears on the face and has a symmetrical profile. Although hormonal changes are one of the main causes of its appearance, there are many other reasons why it may develop. In this article we give you the keys to identifying melasma and treating it effectively.

2 Before and after results: melasma treatment with cosmelan®

Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation of the skin that usually appears on the face and has a symmetrical profile. Although hormonal changes are one of the main causes of its appearance, there are many other reasons why it may develop. In this article we give you the keys to identifying melasma and treating it effectively.

What is melasma?

Melasma is the appearance of spots on the skin and is one of the most difficult types of hyperpigmentation to treat. Clinically, it is characterized by the appearance of brown spots that are usually symmetrical on the face and appear especially on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead and upper lip.

What are the causes of melasma?

There are intrinsic and extrinsic factors that cause this type of skin spots:

Intrinsic factors: genetic predisposition, inflammatory processes, hormonal factors and ageing.

Extrinsic factors: solar radiation, photosensitising medication and exposure to chemical agents.

As a general rule, melasma occurs mostly in women, especially due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy or the use of contraceptive treatments.

Types of melasma

There are different types of melasma, depending on the depth of the spot. We can distinguish between:

1. epidermal melasma

It affects the most exposed layer of the skin and the hyperpigmentation is brown with well-defined borders.

2. dermal melasma

It affects the deepest level of the dermis and is characterized by blue-grey patches.

3. mixed melasma

This is a combination of epidermal and dermal melasma and presents as grey-brown pigment. Due to the depth of melanin pigments in dermal and mixed melasma, these types can be more difficult to treat.

In addition, we can speak of chloasma to refer to melasma that appears during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

Can melasma disappear on its own?

Melasma does not disappear. In times when sun exposure is not so intense, it may fade and not be so visible, but the spot still exists and will reappear with sun exposure. Therefore the use of a high, broad-spectrum sun protection is very important.

mesoprotech® is the range that offers the most advanced and complete photoprotective technology, protecting against the harmful effects produced by radiation, thus preventing skin hyperpigmentation.

If you are looking for specific sun protection for the prevention of dark spots, mesoprotech® melan 130 pigment control is a very high sun protection (UVB 131 and UVA 67), indicated for skin with pigmented imperfections and with a touch of color.

How to treat melasma?

There are many treatment methods based on the removal of surface melanin, such as lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL), chemical peels and acid creams. Other topical medical treatments such as those containing hydroquinone are able to regulate melanocyte activity but have a limited therapeutic time.

For a complete approach to melasma, treatments are required that, in addition to eliminating the visible blemish, regulate the overproduction of pigment to prevent its reappearance in the long term.

At mesoestetic® we are leaders in depigmentation and offer solutions that help to keep the spot under control and prevent its reappearance.

cosmelan® is the professional depigmentation method that eliminates the most severe and resistant skin spots with maximum effectiveness and safety. The cosmelan® method has an exclusive combination of active ingredients with proven efficacy that provide a unique and dual mechanism of action, for short and long term results.

dermamelan® is the new generation treatment whose formula has been developed through the application of new technologies. It acts on the main key targets in the formation of skin spots.

This innovation has led to the registration of two patents and offers a more complete and effective action to treat the most severe and resistant blemishes.

In addition, there are also products and home treatments that can help control melasma and enhance the effects of medical or professional treatments.

Discover more about how to treat melasma.