Melasma treatment has helped patients restore their complexion and even skin tone. At Greenbrae Dermatology, we offer melasma treatments with the most up-to-date technology. Melasma can affect your confidence as well as the pigmentation of your skin. Many patients feel uncomfortable or self-conscious about melasama, and it can negatively impact daily life. At Greenbrae Dermatology, we prioritize personal care and the top treatments available to best address your particular needs. Our board-certified dermatologists are experienced and have helped successfully treat hundreds of cases of melasma and other dermatological issues.

What is Melasma?

Melasma, also called chloasma, is most common in women between twenty to fifty years of age, and it is characterized by brown, tan, blue, or gray spots that occur on the face. This discoloration is caused by the hyperpigmentation of the facial skin. Melasma occurs mainly on the cheekbones, jawline, or face and can be caused by sun exposure, hormonal changes, and even genetics. If your parents or grandparents has or had melasma, you are more likely to develop the condition yourself.

Chloasma is very commonly seen in women during their reproductive years, but it is possible that it can occur within males, as well. Hormonal changes associated with the use of birth control pills or pregnancy are thought to be a possible cause of melasma in women. Because of these hormonal changes during pregnancy, chloasma affects expecting mothers most commonly. There are four types of chloasma patterns, and they include epidermal, dermal, mixed, and an unnamed form that affects women with darker complexions. Epidermal melasma is characterized by the presence of excess melanin cells in the outermost layer of the skin. Dermal melasma is denoted by the presence of melanophages, which are cells that ingest melanin, throughout the dermis. Mixed melasma includes the excess melanin cells in the epidermis and the presence of melanophages throughout the dermis. For women with darker complexions, melasma is identified by excessive amounts of melanocytes or mature melanin-forming cells.

What Melasma treatments are available?

There are two main melasma treatments, which include a topical melasma treatment and laser treatments. Topical ointments and creams may be possible melasma treatments. These creams contain agents that can help smooth out your skin tone and reduce the discoloration associated with chloasma. Our dermatologist may recommend chemical peels or topical steroid creams as melasma treatments, as well. These peels and creams can help reduce the damage done to skin cells by chloasma and restore your natural even skin tone.

In severe cases of melasma, our dermatologist may suggest laser therapy to help even out the skin tone and to remove the discoloration that chloasma causes. Laser treatments can remove the darker hyperpigmentation occurring on the skin. Laser therapy as a melasma treatment uses high-intensity light to reduce the discoloration of the skin and to provide a smooth, clear complexion

Our board-certified dermatologists would be happy to discuss your melasma treatment with you. To request a personal consultation with our dermatologists to discuss a possible melasma treatment, please request an appointment today.