Melasma vs Hyperpigmentation
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By Summer Summit Online Skincare
Today’s post “unmasks” one of the most common, yet frustratingly stubborn skin conditions
Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that can also be known as Chloasma, or “mask of pregnancy”. However, pregnancy isn’t always the cause. Melasma describes a condition in which sections of skin on your face, chest, or forearms darkens in color because of an overproduction of melanin.
It’s unknown what specifically causes melasma, but it is thought to be a combination of hormones and sun exposure, and is very common in women who are taking hormonal birth control or who have been pregnant.
Melasma tends to mirror itself, which means that if you develop it on one side of your face, there's a high chance it will also develop in the same spot on the other side as well.
Is melasma the same as sun spots?
Melasma is different than sun spots, and needs to be treated differently. Melasma is caused by a hormonal change that causes an excess of melanin to be produced withing the cells. Sun spots, on the other hand, are a patch of cells that have been damaged by UV rays.
Melasma is different than sun spots, and needs to be treated differently. Melasma is caused by a hormonal change that causes an excess of melanin to be produced withing the cells. Sun spots, on the other hand, are a patch of cells that have been damaged by UV rays.
Sun spots can usually be faded with a retinol regimen. Melasma is unfortunately more difficult to treat and requires a more intensive treatment.
Don’t worry though, there is good news! Just because melasma is more difficult to treat, doesn’t mean it’s untreatable. Here are 3 steps to help return your skin to it’s original state:
Medical Intervention
This is the most drastic step you can take but is almost guaranteed to work to combat this stubborn condition.
Chemical Peels are one of the most effective ways to clear up melasma. They work because the remove the top layers of skin and allow fresh new skin cells to come to the surface.
Laser treatments are offered as a way to clear up melasma, but some dermatologists say that the most stubborn cases of melasma they see are the ones that have been treated with a laser in the past.
The least invasive medical treatment is the addition to Hydroquinone cream to your skincare routine. The cream works on a deep level to block the receptors that encourage melanin production. It can have some side effects, such as dryness, but is very effective in treating melasma.
Before settling on a treatment, we always suggest meeting with a dermatologist to go over your options and choose the best treatment plan for you.
Exfoliate and Treat at Home
Exfoliation at home is the mild version of what a professional chemical peel will do. You can’t “scrub” melasma away. Rather, exfoliation gently removes the top layer of skin, which stimulates the deeper layers of skin to push healthier cells to the surface.
Follow exfoliation up by applying vitamin-rich serums (especially vitamin C!) and proper hydration to your skin. A few of our favorites are:
Once you know that your skin is susceptible to melasma, you will want to take extra care to help prevent it in the future. Wearing sunscreen every day is the best way to protect against future damage, since it blocks UV rays from reacting with the estrogen in your body to further the melasma.
Try our sunscreen to not only protect, but also to nourish your skin with ultra hydrating ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and antioxidants.
While you are treating it, it can be effectively covered with a good quality concealer. A light layer of orange or peach toned concealer will work to correct the dark color and even your skin tone.
Melasma can be a pain to deal with, but with a little bit of extra care, you can return your skin to its usual radiance!
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