Treatment Explained
What is melasma?
This common skin condition can develop in adults and is characterised by light to dark brown or greyish areas of pigmentation, which are flat in texture and appear primarily on the face. Melasma can affect the cheeks, upper lip (hence the term melasma moustache), nose and chin, usually in a symmetrical form. Melasma forehead patches are common, the neck can be affected and more rarely, the forearms.
Melasma on the face is more common in women, people with darker skin types and those who have had excessive sun exposure.
It is not an indication of an infection or allergy, nor is it contagious. Importantly, it is not cancerous and will not change into skin cancer. However, melasma can be embarrassing and a cause of distress for those affected by it.
What causes melasma?
Whilst the exact cause of melasma isn’t known, several factors can contribute to the condition:
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause an increase in melanin which presents as melasma (hence the term melasma pregnancy mask).
Hormonal drugs such as the contraceptive pill and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) are also known triggers for melasma.
UV radiation stimulates the production of melanin in the skin, therefore sun exposure and the use of sunbeds can exacerbate melasma.
Melasma can run in families, suggesting that the condition can be inherited.
How to get rid of melasma?
At Hannah London, our luxury clinics offer a range of treatments to gently lighten your skin and help regain your confidence in your appearance.
At-home Self Care Treatments
Whilst there is no known melasma cure, our practitioners can offer advice on at-home treatments in addition to our melasma treatment in London. These include:
Chemical peels
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are a deep exfoliating process that can break up the patches of melanin that form with melasma, reducing skin discolouration.
Mild peels such as those using mandelic or glycolic acids are commonly used over a course of several treatments, to help your skin look its best.
Perfect Peel
Perfect Peel
The Perfect Peel is a deeper peel that uses Glutathione, an antioxidant composed of amino acids, to reverse the discolouration caused by melasma.
Glutathione is also available as an IV (intravenous) treatment and an injection. When administered by a qualified practitioner, it can have a positive effect on skin tone and colour.
Cosmelan
Cosmelan
Cosmelan is another deeper chemical peel which is particularly effective for melasma. It has two phases: part one is applied at the clinic by a qualified practitioner and phase two is an at-home treatment of a maintenance cream.
Dermalan
Dermalan
Dermalan can be used on all skin types and all kinds of hyperpigmentation and, again, is a deeper kind of chemical peel that works in two phases: in clinic and at-home maintance.
Microneedling
Microneedling
With microneedling, tiny needles are used to create microscopic (non-visible) wounds in the skin. This treatment is often used in combination with chemical peels to stimulate collagen production for a more even skin tone.
Skin boosters
Skin boosters
Skin boosters are injections of deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid, which encourage collagen production and skin regeneration for improved skin tone and the popular ‘glass skin’ glow.
Pro Yellow Laser
Pro Yellow Laser
Pro Yellow Laser for melasma precisely targets melanin to break down areas of excess pigment. It also reduces blood flow to the vessels responsible for the pigmentation. The body naturally clears the excess melanin, revealing brighter, more even-toned skin.
Topical treatments
Topical treatments
Our qualified practitioners can recommend specialist topical treatments that you can apply at home to gently lighten and nourish your skin, reducing areas of melasma.
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Further Reading
Information from Changing Faces about melasma .
More information on melasma from the British Skin Foundation
Tips on protecting your skin from the sun , to help reduce melasma from the British Skin Foundation.
Meet one of our doctors for a consultation to discuss your treatment options
Welcome to
Hannah London
We’re a team of aesthetic and medical specialists lead by Dr Kaywaan Khan. We provide award-winning facial, body and hair treatments to clients across London.
Our ethos is to offer cutting-edge treatments in a luxurious setting, ensuring that you leave our clinic feeling pampered and looking fabulous.
