Melasma is a benign skin condition where people get abnormal pigmentation, often on their faces. While often brown, it can also present as greyish spots or patches.
Melasma tends to affect people with darker complexions. Women also seem to be affected more often, with some studies even estimating the female-to-male ratio at 4:1.
Doctors believe that this is often related to hormonal changes, which could explain why it’s often seen in pregnant women, as well as sun exposure. Some also point to genetic factors.
Fortunately, people seeking a melasma treatment have several options.
Topical medication
There are a number of topical treatments used for melasma: hydroquinone, tretinoin, kojic acid, Vitamin C, and corticosteroids are just a few of them. Some of these have also been shown to reduce pigmentation in 3 to 6 months.
Oral medications
The key treatment being proposed for melasma here would be tranexamic acid. It may be better known as a treatment for bleeding disorders, but some research shows it could help with pigmentation as well.
This is because it addresses the vascular factors that contribute to melasma. This may be related to the way it affects keratinocyte function – keratinocytes are the main cells of the epidermis.
In some cases, even doses of it as low as 500 mg per day have been shown as effective in treating melasma. While some use it as an alternative to topical medication, some use it in conjunction with treatments like hydroquinone.
Procedural treatments
Procedural treatments include chemical peels, microneedling, and lasers. Some report appreciable results from their use, especially for Q-switched Nd:Yag lasers.
A concern with using these could be that some people may experience inflammatory skin responses as a side effect of these treatments. It’s therefore important to consult a doctor for their recommendations on which procedures would best suit your needs before proceeding.
Sun protection
While this may not exactly be a treatment, it’s a key part of every melasma management plan because sun exposure can potentially exacerbate melasma development.
As such, people undergoing melasma treatment are typically advised to use high-SPF sunscreens and avoid long sessions of sun exposure.
Success rates and side effects
The treatments mentioned above have varying success rates, especially due to the differences in individuals’ responses to them.
Patient skin types are extremely important, which is why professional consultations are key in determining which treatment should be applied to each case.
Side effects are also possible for all procedures. For instance, one known side-effect for the most common treatment, hydroquinone, is skin darkening.
Patients are advised to perform regular follow-ups with their dermatologists to monitor the progress of their melasma treatment.
This is especially important when one considers that melasma has a high rate of recurrence and is typically classified as a chronic condition. It may require repeated treatment not just to achieve results, but also to maintain them.
If you’re struggling with melasma and would like to seek a doctor’s opinion on the best course of action in treating it, reach out to us at M-Aesthetic Clinic. Our team of doctors will be able to assess your skin condition and recommend a suitable treatment plan to reach your goals.
