Melasma, which is a very common skin concern, is usually characterized by patches of uneven skin tone on the skin. These appear mostly on exposed areas of the face, neck, and hands. And although the condition is common in both men and women, it seems to affect mostly women, hence the reason most of us have sought melasma treatment at one time or another.

In order to shed more light on Melasma, I had a chat with my usual go-to laser and skin care expert – Amira Nassar, who deals with Melasma treatment on almost a daily basis.

So, what causes Melasma?

The cause of Melasma, explains Amira, has yet to be completely understood. But exposure to UV radiation, pregnancy, genetics, hormones, some cosmetic products, and certain types of medication play a role in this kind of skin pigmentation.

What are the symptoms?

If you suspect that you have Melasma, but you are not sure about it, and you are wondering if it’s just another sunburn from last week, all you have to do is check if you have some “rusty” colored patches of melanin deposits on your skin. According to Amira, it is scientifically proven that exposure to UV rays causes oxidative damage to its components, which leads to this pigmentation. “You should also consider seeing a skin specialist to determine if it really is Melasma or something else, before deciding on any Melasma treatment”.

Skin types that are more susceptible to Melasma

When it comes to the skin type that is more vulnerable to melasma, notes Amira, it’s all skin types around the globe. “But the condition is more aggressive in countries with stronger sun and UV radiation.” Hello, sunny areas!

Melasma treatment

Although it may appear that the skin pigmentation is on the surface, in some cases it goes deeper in the dermis, which brings us to how to get rid of it.

There are two types of treatments for Melasma and are categorized into external and internal treatment. “External treatments include the application of hyperpigmentation agents like hydroquinone, which is supposed to inhibit the production of new melanin,” she explains adding that on the external Melasma treatment, exfoliation of the damaged layer on the surface of the skin is required. This is done with the use of different laser therapies and chemical peels; or both. SEE my Cosmelan depigmentation review, which is the most common Melasma treatment.

The internal treatment involves oral administration of vitamin E or C as well as intravenous injections with glutathione. “The results of these internal treatments might be better and efficient although they come at a cost of a number of side effects,” explains Amira, adding that not everyone who suffers from Melasma is a good candidate for this treatment. “A good skin specialist will have to establish the best cause of treatment depending on your lifestyle and background.”

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How can you manage Melasma?

If you have this skin concern and you don’t want to seek out any Melasma treatment, there are ways you can manage it. This means that it will not go away, and at the same time, it will not get any worse. “If the melasma is caused by medication, hormonal changes, genetics, or continuous sun exposure, then it can be managed with certain homecare rules that one can follow to keep it under control. And although the pigmentation might not get worse, it might not get better either,” notes Amira.

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Protecting your skin from Melasma

To protect your skin from Melasma advises Amira, it is very important to take the application of a broad spectrum sunscreen very seriously. “The time it takes to apply sunscreen is very minimal compared to the time it takes to finish a course of Melasma treatment. For instance, if it’s laser therapy, you can have a minimum of 3 sessions, with a maximum of 6; each 3-4 weeks apart.” On the other hand, if you are opting for a chemical peel like Cosmelan depigmentation treatment, then be prepared to stay indoors for at least 5 days, and to follow the home care treatment to the letter.

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At the end of the day, Melasma is just a painless skin concern, whose only symptom is discolored skin. The patches can be covered by makeup (or not), just in case you don’t want to pursue any Melasma treatment or management whatsoever.