Melasma

Melasma symptoms

Melasma, also known as chloasma, is a condition characterized by symmetrical, brown-reddish pigmented patches on the skin. These discolorations are typically well defined and can vary in intensity, from light, barely noticeable tones to darker, more pronounced shades.

The classic appearance of melasma significantly shapes the skin appearance and is mainly visible on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip or chin. In some cases, it may also affect other parts of the body that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as the neck and forearms. The localization and extent of melasma makes it clearly visible to the environment and can therefore be psychosocially stressful for those affected.

Although melasma has no disease value and does not cause physical discomfort such as pain or itching, it can be a significant cosmetic problem. It can affect the self-esteem and general well-being of those affected, especially since it can be difficult to treat in some cases and often recurs chronically.

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Melasma causes

Melasma occurs due to an overproduction of melanin, the natural pigment responsible for the coloration of our skin, hair and eyes, among other things. This phenomenon occurs when melanocytes, the special cells in our skin that produce melanin, are stimulated by certain factors. The two main triggers for this stimulation are UV light and hormones, especially the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

The relationship between hormones and melasma explains why women are affected by this skin change much more frequently than men. Hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, or when taking hormonal contraceptives, can stimulate melanin production. It is worth noting that during pregnancy, a time of intense hormonal transition, 50-70% of women may be affected by melasma, often referred to as "pregnancy mask."

UV exposure also plays a central role in the development of melasma. Sunlight stimulates melanin production, which means that hyperpigmentation is often more pronounced in summer than in winter. This also explains why melasma often appears in areas that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as the face.

There are also genetic factors that may play a role in the development of melasma. If close relatives have melasma, the risk of developing melasma yourself is increased. In addition, certain ethnic groups, especially those with darker skin, are more prone to this condition.

Melasma treatment

You should come to the treatment without make-up so that laser treatment can begin immediately. The treatment itself takes about 20 minutes, during which the affected areas are gently treated with the laser. After the treatment, we will provide you with products that you can use to remove your make-up afterwards.

Several options are available for the treatment of melasma:

Depending on the diagnosis, local therapy with bleaching preparations or special laser therapies can be used for melasma treatment. However, often a combination of different methods provides the best results. With the combined methods, we can achieve an improvement in skin appearance of over 50% in 80% of patients, although this cannot be guaranteed in individual cases. The number of treatments required varies depending on the individual case.

Laser and light treatments

We have been working successfully for years with gentle laser toning, also known as the "Asian Way". This procedure can be performed with our Spectra laser as well as with the Nd:YAG picolaser.

• Q-switched Spectra Lasertoning
  • For darker skin types, a gentle laser procedure is chosen, which is applied repeatedly. Please count on 5-15 treatments.
• Pico Laser Toning
  • This procedure uses the Nd:YAG wavelength, which penetrates particularly deep into the skin.

Both methods are suitable for all skin types and can be used all year round. In case of difficult response, we switch to the slightly invasive LaseMD in the course of treatment.

• LaseMD
  • An innovative method of delivering tranexamic acid into the dermis using a thullium laser.

Cream treatment

The basis of any melasma therapy is consistent and double light protection. This involves the combination of chemical and physical photoprotective filters. In addition, a bleaching preparation is needed that aims to inhibit tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that plays a key role in melanin production and thus contributes to the development of melasma.

Please note that melasma can be resistant to treatments in rare cases. Therefore, we attach great importance to individual care and therapy adjustment. In such cases, patience and perseverance are of great importance. We will be happy to support you on your way to improving your skin appearance and effective melasma treatment.

Melasma Frequently Asked Questions