Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Melasma typically appears as bilateral, asymptomatic, light-to-dark brown patches with irregular borders. It can be categorized into three types:
Epidermal Melasma: Well-defined borders, dark brown color, usually responds well to treatment.
Dermal Melasma: Ill-defined borders, light brown to blue-grey color, often shows a poor response to treatment.
Mixed Melasma: Combination of blue-grey, light, and dark brown colors, with treatment usually resulting in partial improvement.
How Pigment Forms
The stratum corneum (SC) is the topmost layer of the epidermis. This layer is the main barrier against the penetration of water-soluble and lipid-soluble materials into the skin. The stratum basale is the bottom layer of the epidermis that contains melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) which produce melanin or pigment. Melanin determines the color of our skin and also protects against ultraviolet radiation. The process of pigment production is a multistep process that is regulated by female sex hormones, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), tyrosinase, UV and other environmental factors.
With UV exposure and inflammation, the hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is secreted, which acts on the melanocytes to produce pigment. Pigment is produced from tyrosine (a type of protein) and needs an enzyme called tyrosinase. Once the pigment is produced in the deeper basal area of the skin, it is transported up to the surface of the skin where you will see it as dark spots or blotchy skin. There is a special receptor called PAR-2 (protease-activated receptor 2) that acts as a doorway for the traveling melanin along the way. If these PAR-2 ‘doors’ are closed, the melanin cannot reach the surface of your skin and therefore will not show up as dark spots. Too much pigment production can lead to dyspigmentation, resulting in dark spots and an uneven, blotchy skin tone.
In-clinic treatments can help improve melasma, but long-term skincare, sunscreen use, and avoiding trigger factors are essential. While effective treatments can yield positive outcomes, relapses may occur with sun exposure. Maintaining lifelong sun protection and continuing prescribed skincare regimens are crucial for the best results. Dermal melasma responds poorly to treatment, making ongoing management even more important.
In-clinic treatments that treats melasma effectively include the following:
Skin is a beautiful thing, wear it well.
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