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What is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition affecting adults, it occurs more often in women, those who tan easily or have naturally darker skin. Melasma can develop during or after pregnancy for almost 50% of women and is often referred to as the ‘mask of pregnancy.
What does it look like?
Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation which develops typically on the face and/or neck area and is often symmetrical in appearance. It can present itself in 3 ways:
- Epidermal melasma – affecting the top layer of skin. The hyperpigmentation presents as brown pigmentation with well-defined borders.
- Dermal melasma – affecting deeper dermal layers of skin presents as blue-grey patches of pigmentation.
- Mixed melasma – a combination of epidermal and dermal melasma presents as a combined brown-grey pigmentation of the skin
What causes it?
Melasma is a complex skin condition and multifactorial resulting in an overproduction of pigment by the body’s pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Several factors can contribute towards the development of melasma, such as hormonal changes and the use of hormonal drugs. However, exposure to UV light is also associated with triggering and worsening the condition.
Can it be treated?
There is currently no absolute cure for Melasma, but there are a number of effective treatments to improve and manage its symptoms.
Here at the Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetic Clinic, Dr Tanja successfully treats patients with Melasma using a 4 step multi-layer laser treatment, tackling various aspects of melasma. Each treatment is tailored towards the individual patient’s needs and is recommended as a course of 6 sessions for best results.
The use of Tranexamic acid in combination with laser treatment is also known to enhance results, as well as regular chemical peels using Alpha Hydroxy Acids. You can learn more about AHA’s and their benefits here.
Dr Tanja Phillips
Recommends:
Skincare at home
The use of sun protection is essential for maintaining healthy skin and ensuring that the symptoms of Melasma are not exacerbated. Using a broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen such as *Heliocare 360* is recommended daily.
If you have any questions regarding the treatment of Melasma or you would like to book in for a consultation, contact us on 01256 213 007 or email us at hello@tanjaphillips.com.
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