Melasma treatments at our Melbourne clinic
Melasma treatment tends to present some difficulties since the wrong treatment can actually make the melasma worse. We call this ‘rebound pigmentation’, and it’s even darker than the first round.
With proper sun protection, melasma can fade on its own, especially when the trigger – pregnancy, birth control – is removed.
We prefer a combination approach with melasma treatments, with each melasma treatment program individualised for the person. We might use:
- Stopping oral contraceptives or hormone replacement
- Sun avoidance (strict)
- Sunscreen (strict)
- Chemical peels
- Topical vitamin C
- Bleaching
- Topical treatments
- Anti-inflammatory agents
- Lasers (with the lowest chance of rebound pigmentation)
We might treat blood vessels around the area, since blood vessels can release mediators that make melasma worse. Any melasma treatment is going to take time and be a long-term plan, rather than a short-term fix – when it comes to melasma, there is unfortunately no such thing.
Other side effects from melasma treatment could be redness, flaking or irritation. If this occurs from any treatments for melasma, you must advise your doctor immediately.
When we treat melasma, it will depend on what layer of skin – the dermal or epidermal layer – that the pigment is sitting within. The dermal layer (deeper layer of skin) is harder to treat than the epidermal layer (the top layer).
Pigment always originates in the epidermis, which means that dermal melasma can be halted by treating the epidermis.
Your melasma treatment needs to be undertaken with the utmost care. Any off manoeuvre and your melasma treatment can be derailed.
Less obvious melasma triggers:
- Metals, especially hot metal – sunglasses, belt buckles, bracelets, earrings, watches
- Heat of any kind – lights, kitchen ovens and grills, hair dryers, heat lamps
- Sources of UV light – screens, windows, reflective areas, sunroof
- Lights – any light at home, work, or out
- Hidden hormones – contraceptive devices, breastfeeding, menopause supplements
- Cosmetics – perfume, deodorant, soap
- Autoimmune disease – thyroid issues, adrenal gland disorders, chronic stress
Hiding melasma patches
Hiding melasma may, for some people my be the only option. We have a few solutions to hiding your melasma patches if they bother you.
Sunscreen is your new best friend, so use it generously and religiously, even if you think you will be inside all day. Don’t forget that some clothing is more porous than you might think, so use densely woven threads that actually block all sun. Preventing an outbreak or preventing an outbreak from worsening is your first port of call in managing melasma.
Consider all the places you go to in a day that could cause a problem – a big office window, driving to work, sunglass arms, belts. Foresee issues ahead of time and plan your day. You’ll get better at this once you see that it gives you results, so figure out what your triggers are – because they exist. Melasma does not exist is a vacuum.
Theatrical concealer
Hollywood comes to the rescue – theatre and film make-up is very useful and designed to cover all manner of blemishes. Head to your local or online retailer of quality theatre-quality make-up and see what they have available. Call them to discuss your needs – they will have recommendations. It’s not cheap, but it’s effective.
Living with melasma
If you’ve just had your first outbreak of melasma, make an appointment with a specialist dermatologist at ENRICH in Armadale, Melbourne, for an appointment to analyse your skin condition. If we understand what has triggered your melasma, we can help solve it sooner rather than later. A good treatment plan with a practitioner you trust is at least half the problem solved.
One of the main problems with melanin is that once it is excreted from the cell, it is there for a while until it fades. This is just the nature of pigment – it’s a malingerer.
Melasma doesn’t have standard treatment guidelines, is often a hit and miss type affair with dermatologists, with patients dropping out of failing treatments. This is why at ENRICH, we will be your partner in melasma for as long as you have the melasma, working with you to establish the triggers of your condition and what your skin responds best to. Having a partner in melasma is helpful from a practical and emotional standpoint; having facial discolouration can be frightening and distressing, but knowing you have a professional on your side with the best of technology and the most up-to-date research on melasma at their fingertips can be more than reassuring. Let us be your melasma partner.
Contact us to arrange an appointment at our Melbourne clinic to discuss the treatment options available for melasma.
*Results may vary from person to person
