Melasma Treatment
What Is Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by patches of skin becoming darker than your natural skin tone. These spots can vary in size, shape, and color and can be induced by hormonal changes such as during pregnancy or initiation of birth control pills. However, many people may develop symptoms outside of pregnancy due to causes like genetics, UV radiation, certain medications, and more. While melasma can be alarming to experience, a few things to remember include:
- It is not a type of cancer, nor is it contagious or dangerous to your health.
- Effective treatments exist to help restore your skin tone.
- Melasma is asymptomatic.
Dermatologist-Approved Melasma Treatment
Melasma is not a threat to your physical health, but treating it can improve lifestyle and self-esteem. Symptoms most commonly appear in highly visible areas, such as the cheeks, forehead, lips, and chin. Unlike other skin conditions, there is no associated itchiness, pain, or dryness. However, these cosmetic changes can still impact a patient’s self-confidence and how they feel about their appearance. Our safe and effective treatment options allow you to restore your skin and feel back to your usual self, free from the effects of melasma.
Our Melasma Treatment Options
- Sun Protection: UV radiation can worsen melasma. We will recommend a sunscreen to wear throughout the day.
- Topical Medication: Dr. Aivaz can prescribe one of several medications that can be applied directly to the skin. The active ingredients vary, though they all work via different mechanisms to even out skin tone.
- Chemical Peel: The perfect peel and the melanage peel in particular are extremely effective for stubborn pigmentation issues, including melasma.
- Microneedling: Creates micropunctures in the skin to encourage your skin’s natural regenerative abilities, which evens out skin tone.
Melasma Treatments: At a Glance
- Treatment Type: Dermatological, medication, lifestyle considerations, chemical peel
- Best Option: Varies, often a combination
- Treatment Efficacy: Highly effective when working with a board-certified dermatologist
- Results Duration: Variable, depending on individual factors
Which Melasma Treatment Is Right for Me?
Your melasma treatment plan will be tailored to your needs and based on individual skin traits. There is no one-size-fits-all approach with any skin condition, so Dr. Aivaz takes a dynamic approach. Many patients may see improvements with topical treatments alone. Others may require a combination of therapies to restore an even skin tone. Therefore, working with a board-certified dermatologist is essential to seeing results as quickly as possible. Dr. Aivaz develops your treatment plan by looking at factors such as:
- Causes and triggers of your symptoms
- Full medical history
- Previous treatment results
- Your treatment goals and budget
After Your Treatment: Seeing Results
The majority of patients will see improvements in their skin tone. Dr. Aivaz’s experience as a board-certified dermatologist allows her to effectively match patients with treatments that bring about notable results. However, no treatment results are instant, so it will be essential to follow your treatment regimen, whether that means routine application of creams at home or visits to our office for treatments.
What to Know About Results
- Duration of results can depend on health, genetics, lifestyle factors, and future pregnancies.
- Continued maintenance is typically beneficial (avoiding excess UV exposure, applying recommended topical creams)
Book Your
Consultation
Begin working with a board-certified dermatologist today for personalized melasma treatment in Beverly Hills. Schedule your initial consultation over the phone or by using the form on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Melasma is a skin condition in which dark patches and spots develop on sun-exposed areas of the body.
- The face is a commonly affected area, including the cheeks, upper lip and forehead, as well as the forearms.
- Melasma can be induced by the hormones of pregnancy or birth control, exposure to the sun, or from heat exposure. While both men and women can be affected, this condition occurs most commonly in women.
- Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter.
There are many treatment options available for melasma, but unfortunately melasma can recur without strict sun protection and maintenance treatments.
Dr. Aivaz uses a variety of methods to treat melasma including, but not limited to:
- Chemical peels
- Melanage peel
- Microneedling
- Oral medication called tranexamic acid
- LaseMD with topical tranexamic acid solution
- Prescription-strength hydroquinone-based lightening creams
- Tailored skin care regimen with medical-grade cosmeceuticals
Unfortunately, there is no 100% guaranteed way to prevent melasma. The best way to try to minimize flares of melasma is very strict sun-protection, including sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and daily application of tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, SPF 50 or above. Avoiding triggers such as sun, heat, stress, and hormonal changes is also important.