Melasma

Melasma treatment can improve the pigmentation and discoloration issues.

Dark or discolored patches of facial skin are often the result of a condition known as melasma. These gray-brown areas usually appear on the forehead, cheeks, bridge of the nose, chin, and above the upper lip, but can show up anywhere your skin is exposed to the sun. When the melanocytes (cells within the skin) produce too much pigmentation, melasma occurs.

Cause

While the exact cause of melasma is unknown, it appears to be an interaction between hormones and the sun. We know that the sun is necessary for development of melasma, and sun exposure darkens these spots. Melasma is often triggered by hormonal changes, and is more common in women. It often first appears during or after pregnancy, when taking oral contraceptives, or at other times when a woman’s hormones fluctuate. However, it can crop up for no obvious reason, and men can suffer from melasma as well.

Treatment

While melasma is not life-threatening, people are often self-conscious about it. It is natural to want to treat it. Protection from the sun is the best prevention and treatment for melasma. This includes avoiding exposure whenever possible, wearing a wide-brimmed hat outdoors, applying sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher) each day, and reapplying it at regular intervals.

Melasma may fade naturally with time; however persistent pigmentation requires treatment. Non-prescription preparations containing botanical and natural lightening agents may fade mild cases. Your dermatologist can prescribe creams containing hydroquinone, tretinoin, or azelaic acid. Chemical peels, light and laser therapies are effective for restoring even skin tone and coloration.

Talk with the professionals at Sanova Dermatology to learn more about melasma treatment regimen that is right for you.

Contact Sanova Dermatology

If you would like more information, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced dermatologists, please contact us today.

×
Specials
Book Online

Latest Specials & Promotions

View All
Locations
×

Book appointment by

Choose your area

  • Baton Rouge

    6411 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 - (225) 303-9500
  • Lafayette

    1245 Camellia Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70508 - (337) 839-2773
  • Bee Cave & Lakeway

    3944 RR 620 S. Bldg. 6, Bee Cave, TX 78738 - (512) 366-8568
  • Old Metairie

    701 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA 70005 - (504) 836-2050
  • Uptown

    3434 Prytania St., New Orleans, Louisiana 70115 - (504) 897-5899
  • Metairie

    111 Veterans Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70005 - (504) 838-8225
  • SBA Dermatology

    1900 Saint James Place, Houston, TX 77056 - (713) 850-0240
  • North Austin

    12319 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas 78758 - (512) 837-3376
  • Central Austin

    3705 Medical Parkway, Austin, Texas 78705 - (512) 454-3781
  • Dripping Springs

    13830 Sawyer Ranch Road, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 - (512) 829-0009
  • Pflugerville

    1601 E. Pflugerville Parkway, Pflugerville, Texas 78660 - (512) 252-3700
  • Steiner Ranch

    5145 North FM 620 Rd, Austin, Texas 78732 - (512) 266-0007
  • Helyn Alvarez, MD

  • Daniel Barron, PA-C

  • Suzanne Bruce, MD

  • Daniel A. Carrasco, MD

  • Kristy Charles, MD

  • Ryan Couvillion, MD

  • Megan Couvillion, MD

  • Gretchen Donnes, PA-C

  • Leigh Ellen Eubanks, MD

  • Elizabeth Foley, DO

  • Natalie Gibson, PA-C

  • Miriam L. Hanson, MD

  • Alicia Haslauer, PA-C

  • Agezi Igboko, FNP-C

  • Haneen Issa, PA-C

  • Jennifer Jordan, PA-C

  • Ted Lain, MD, MBA

  • Adam J. Mamelak, MD

  • Sharon Meyer, MD

  • Lesley Ott, FNP-C

  • Melanie Pickett, MD

  • Jeffrey C. Poole, MD

  • Chad Prather, MD

  • Maria “Gabi” Prudhomme, FNP-C

  • Marcela Ramirez, FNP-C

  • Diana Reyes, PA-C

  • Israel Rodriguez, PA-C

  • Katharine Saussy, MD

  • Megan Shelton, MD

  • Candace Thrash, MD

  • Mamina Turegano, MD

  • Jennifer Vickers, MD

  • Micah Williams, PA-C

  • Laura Williams, MD