Understanding & Treating Melasma

Here at the clinic, we have many patients who suffer with melasma. Although melasma can be a lifelong struggle … we want our patients to know there is hope and options!

Melasma is a common skin condition where one gets hyperpigmentation, usually on the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, and chin, and usually occurs 90% of the time in females. This is caused by an overproduction of the cells that give your skin colour. This is most often a life-long condition that will need to be prevented and treated over time.

What are the different causes of melasma?

Darker-skinned individuals are more at risk than those with fair skin. Light exposure including sun, hormonal differences, drugs like phenytoin, and family history are all factors when it comes to melasma. There have been recent studies suggesting other factors such as vascular growth factors, genetic factors, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and Wnt pathway modulator genes, can be involved in the pathogenesis of melasma.

Can melasma go away on its own?

The most common reason for melasma to go away on its own is when the trigger that caused it to flare up in the first place, stops. For example, melasma caused by pregnancy or birth control pills may fade when the baby is delivered and/or when a woman stops taking the birth control pills. It also improves after menopause.

What are the treatments for Melasma?

Clear + Brilliant Laser Treatment
We offer the Clear + Brilliant Laser treatment done by our laser technician, Iva. These are 1 hour-long treatments that gently resurface the skin, focusing on pigment. The traditional laser which often help pigmentation, such as the Alexandrite laser is not suitable for those with melasma; however, the low energy from the Clear and Brilliant laser is ideal for treating melasma. IPL and C02 fractionated laser can actually stimulate and increase the appearance of the darkened pigmentation and are not recommended as treatment

Hydroquinone Treatment
Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that is used to lighten areas of darkened skin. It decreases the production and increases the breakdown of melanosomes in melanocytes. This treatment takes about four weeks of use, and it is important to stay out of the sun and/or to wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Niacinamide Treatment
Studies show that niacinamide induces a decrease in pigmentation, inflammatory infiltrate, and solar elastosis. It is a safe and effective vitamin that you can find in Dr. Anna’s The Cream. This cream has no fragrance, is very clean, no toxic preservatives, is packaged in European glass, and is refillable.

Call 250.590.0883 if you are experiencing melasma and want some assistance from our team at Dr. Anna Medical Aesthetics.