What is Melasma?
Melasma, also known medically as chloasma faciei, is a type of hyperpigmentation that causes brown or gray-brown patches to appear on the skin. It is a common skin disorder known as the “mask of pregnancy.” Melasma can appear anywhere on the body, but it most commonly appears on the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks, chin, and bridge of the nose, which are frequently exposed to sunlight. While sun exposure is thought to aggravate the condition, melasma is often caused by hormonal changes, and women are more prone to this hormonal pigmentation than men. As a result, it has earned the moniker “pregnancy mask.” Melasma is more common in women who use birth control pills or are undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Understandably, this condition can cause embarrassment and may even have an impact on a person’s self-esteem. Fortunately, there are several treatment options, including the HydraFacial. Melasma: The Best Spa Treatment to Correct It. At Mediterranean Beauty, you have this option.
What Does Melasma Look like?
The word loosely translates to “black spot.” Melasma is characterized by light brown, dark brown, and/or blue-gray patches on the skin. They can take the form of flat patches or freckled spots. Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, worsening in the summer and improving in the winter.
Chloasma is a less common name for melasma. Although this disorder is completely harmless, some people may experience self-consciousness as a result of it.
Where does melasma most commonly occur?
Melasma is most commonly found on the cheeks, nose, chin, upper lip, and forehead. It can also affect your arms, neck, and back. Melasma can affect any part of your skin that has been exposed to sunlight. As a result, most melasma patients notice that their symptoms worsen during the summer months.
How common is melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition, particularly among pregnant women. It affects between 15% and 50% of pregnant women. Melasma affects between 1.5 and 33 percent of the population, and it occurs more frequently during a woman’s reproductive years and rarely during puberty. It usually begins between the ages of 20 and 40.
What are the types of melasma?
Melasma is classified into three types based on the depth of the pigment. To determine the depth of the pigment, use a Wood’s lamp that emits black light. The three types are as follows:
- Epidermal: Epidermal melasma has a dark brown color, a well-defined border, appears obvious under black light and sometimes responds well to treatment.
- Dermal: Dermal melasma has a light brown or bluish color, a blurry border, appears no differently under black light and doesn’t respond well to treatment.
- Mixed melasma: Mixed melasma, which is the most common of the three, has both bluish and brown patches, shows a mixed pattern under black light and shows some response to treatment.
Do certain foods affect melasma?
Experts currently believe that no foods or drinks can cause, cure, or worsen melasma. To keep your skin healthy in general, try a skin-healthy diet high in Vitamin D:
- Almond milk.
- Eggs.
- Meat.
- Milk.
- Mushrooms.
- Oily fish.
- Orange juice.
- Yogurt.
How to Get Rid of Melasma
Prevention
It is critical to protect your skin from the sun in order to prevent the development of melasma. To protect your skin from harmful UV rays, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.
Furthermore, topical therapy can be used to prevent and treat melasma. Topical vitamin C and E applications will help to protect your skin from the sun, while medical applications such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and azelaic acid have been reported to aid in the treatment of melasma, though individual results vary.
Chemical or Natural Peels
A chemical peel, which exfoliates one or more layers of the skin, is an effective treatment option for melasma. At Mediterranean-Beauty, we offer all natural peels like Pumpkin Enzyme Peel and Seaweeds Facial Peel. These can address the discoloration, improving the overall tone and texture of the skin.
Hydrodermabrasion is The Best Spa Treatment to Remove Melasma
The HydraFacial treatment is one of the most effective options for people with melasma because it gently resurfaces the skin, improving its overall quality. This four-step process, which includes cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, and nourishing the skin, is completely tailored to the patient’s specific needs. Thus, when treating individuals with melasma, salicylic acid will be utilized in combination with serums that are rich in antioxidants in order to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
To learn more about the prevention or treatment of melasma, we welcome you to call for consultation with a member of our team of skin care experts. At Mediterranean-Beauty Day spa, we are proud to offer both Organic Peels and HydraFacial treatments, which can effectively minimize the appearance of melasma, by restoring and invigorating the skin.
In order to improve Melasma with The Best Spa Treatment to Correct It contact us and schedule hydrafacial or natural peel appointment.
693 1/2 High Street, Suite A,
Worthington, OH 43085