All You Need to Know About Treating Melasma

5 ways to get rid of melasma

A common condition among women, melasma appears as discoloration of the nose, forehead, chin, and upper lip. It may also show up on other body parts that get lots of sun, such as the forearms or neck.

Melasma is mainly triggered by pregnancy, birth control pills, and hormone therapy. Sun exposure also causes it; ultraviolet rays affect the cells that control skin pigment. For some women, melasma may disappear on its own. But for others, the discoloration can stick around indefinitely.

If you’re suffering from melasma, there are steps you can take to help fade it. These include:

1. Wearing sunscreen

Since sun exposure causes melasma, it’s essential that you wear sunscreen at all times. Choose a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, such as LaserAway Beauty BFF SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Tinted Color Corrector, that protects against daily UVA/UVB exposure, oxidative stress, and pollution. When you’re out in the sun, you’ll also want to wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face further.

2. Applying hydroquinone and other skin-lightening products

Prescription hydroquinone creams, like LaserAway Beauty Lighten Up Dark Spot Corrector 2% Hydroquinone Skin Lightener, lighten the skin, which helps to fade melasma. They work by blocking the natural chemical process that’s responsible for creating melanin in your skin. There are also non-prescription lightening creams you can use, such as LaserAway Beauty Lighten Up Non-Rx Hydroquinone-Free Dark Spot Corrector, that contain niacinamide, kojic acid, and tranemamic acid to help improve pigmentation issues.

3. Undergoing aesthetic dermatological treatments

Specific aesthetic dermatological treatments, like IPL photo facials and Clear + Brilliant Perméa, can lighten the appearance of melasma. IPL photo facials use broad-spectrum light, which penetrates multiple layers of skin to correct pigmentation irregularities. Clear + Brilliant Perméa creates microscopic treatment zones, replacing damaged skin with healthier tissue, improving skin tone and texture, and addressing skin discoloration.

4. Using skincare products that contain retinoids

Skincare products containing retinoids turn over skin cells, which rejuvenates the skin and produces new collagen. This can help to smooth skin and minimize dark spots. Depending on the severity of your melasma, you can use OTC retinoid products.

5. Reaching for vitamin C serums

Because the discoloration from melasma stems from an overproduction of melanin, consider using skincare serums containing vitamin C, like LaserAway Beauty Wake Me Up Vitamin C Firming Day Serum, that reduce pigmentation and treat the excess melanin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can lighten up dark spots with consistent use.

The color that you want

While there are many skincare treatments and products that can help improve the appearance of melasma, you should keep in mind it is a skin condition that can come and go with the seasons and changes in hormone levels. Even if your melasma clears up, it’s still important to continue with your skincare regimen to prevent it from coming back.

References

“Here’s How Ginger Zee Got Rid of Her Melasma — and Everything Else You Need to Know About the Common Skin Issue,” People, March 1, 2017.
“How to Remove Upper Lip Pigmentation,” LiveStrong, August 16, 2013.
“Melasma: How to Cope with Skin Discoloration During Pregnancy,” Fox News, March 1, 2015.
“My Cure for Melasma,” Singular, December 2, 2016.