Effective aesthetic treatment options for Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition that can be caused by a wide range of factors, and while it is difficult to treat permanently, there are several different treatment options that can reduce the appearance. So what is this skin condition and what are the most effective aesthetic treatment options for melasma?

What is melasma?

Melasma is a fairly common skin condition that can cause irregular and dark patches on the face. It typically affects women more than men, and people with darker skin tones are more prone to developing it. Melasma is caused by the overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its colour. While the exact cause of melasma is not yet fully understood, it is believed to be triggered by a combination of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, and exposure to sunlight.

What are the different types of melasma?

There are three different types of melasma: epidermal, dermal, and mixed. Epidermal melasma occurs when excess melanin is produced in the top layer of the skin, while dermal melasma occurs when melanin is produced in the deeper layers of the skin. Mixed melasma is a combination of both types. Depending on the type of melasma, different treatments can be effective for reducing the appearance and symptoms of melasma.

What are the effective treatment options for melasma?

Some of the most effective treatment options for melasma include:

IPL treatments

Chemical peels

IPL treatment

IPL treatment is the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to target specific skin cells and remove these permanently. This is a more gentle treatment option than laser treatment, and as a result can be used to treat melasma issues in very specific facial areas.

This works by directing the light at the target tissue, where it is absorbed by the skin, and then transformed into heat energy. As a side effect of the heat, the patches of skin pigmentation will be divided into small pieces. These tiny particles will then rise to the skin’s surface, initially causing the pigmentation to darken before this will scab, crust and form possible flaking which will then naturally fall away within 7-10 days. This can be very effective for treating epidermal, dermal, and mixed melasma.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels have long been one of the most popular choices for treating skin pigmentation issues as these can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin breaking down the areas of skin pigmentation. This also allows the outer layers of skin to be removed, and replaced with new skin cells. However, unlike IPL treatment a chemical peel treatment will be used across the whole of the face, instead of just to target one area. Chemical peels can be effective in reducing the appearance of melasma, but they can also be harsh on the skin and may cause irritation and redness.

Choose The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic for melasma treatments

Here at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic we are Preston’s leading aesthetic treatment providers, and we offer a wide range of high quality professional treatment options, including both chemical peels and IPL treatments. For more information or advice, get in touch today!