Melasma Hyperpigmentation: Causes & Best Treatments

Hyperpigmentation and Melasma are two of the most common skin conditions that cause skin pigmentation and discolouration, but they are not the same condition.
Hyperpigmentation is a very broad diagnosis for any type of skin condition that causes discoloured or darkened skin. Common causes are sun damage, acne scarring and inflammation.
Hyperpigmentation can appear as freckles, dark spots, sun spots or large fark areas and vary in severity from covering small areas of the face to much larger areas.

What is melasma?

Melasma is actually a very common pigmentation disorder that appears as brown or even grey coloured patches upon the face. Women are more likely to be affected than men.
You are most likely to see melasma on the upper lip, cheeks, forehead, or bridge of the nose but it can also appear on the shoulders, neck, and forearms.

What causes Melasma?

The cause of melasma on face can be tricky to determine but it is thought to occur when the colour making cells in the skin known as melanocytes produce too much colour.
There are known triggers for melasma, the most common being a change in hormones which can occur during pregnancy, but other factors include:

• Birth control medication
• Skin care products
• Sun exposure
• Genetics

You are also more likely to be affected by melasma if you are from an Asian, middle eastern, Mediterranean, African, Indian, or Latin descent with darker skin tones.

Do I have melasma?

Melasma can be diagnosed following a consultation with either a doctor or dermatologist. They may take a biopsy which involves removing a very small section of skin which will then be examined in a lab.
As melasma is commonly misdiagnosed as other skin hyperpigmentation conditions it is best to get a proper diagnosis before trying to treat melasma.

How is melasma treated?

In most cases, especially if the melasma is as a result of hormonal changes due to birth control medication or pregnancy then it will gradually fade once you give birth or stop taking birth control.
If melasma is showing no sign of fading, then there are treatments available to help remove or fade the patches.

Melasma and Hyperpigmentation treatments

Obagi

We have a great range of products available at our clinics and after a consultation with one of our skin specialists, they will be able to recommend a great treatment plan to help reduce the appearance of melasma. The Obagi Nu-Derm system is a great prescription treatment option and best treatment for melasma on face. The Nu-Derm system is a complete skin care system that uses prescription strength hydroquinone that is formulated to target skin discoloration and help you achieve a more healthier looking and even skin tone.

Chemical Peel

We have a wide range of skin peel treatments available which can be customised to address your skin type and any skin concerns including melasma. Chemical peel treatments work by helping to remove skin cells that contain excess pigment to achieve a brighter and more even skin tone.
Other treatments include microdermabrasion which can be used in combination with the treatments above to help to achieve the best results and maintain them with regular treatment.
Laser treatments such as the Pearl Laser Resurfacing treatment can be used to treat melasma however in some cases it can make it worse so a thorough assessment of the skin would need to be carried out ahead of treatment. In most

How to avoid Melasma and Hyperpigmentation?

Taking care of your skin is the best way to avoid melasma and hyperpigmentation. This includes wearing sun cream everyday and avoiding excessive sun exposure.

Hyperpigmentation melasma treatment at The Private Clinic

To find out more about our treatments for hyperpigmentation and melasma, contact us on 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.
Treatment clinics are located in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Northampton.