Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition that can occur at any time of life. It presents itself as skin discolouration on areas of the face which has been exposed to the sun. It usually affects both sides of the face.

Research has shown that people with darker or Asian skin tones have a higher chance of developing the condition.

Melasma can be avoided or treated in many ways.

Melasma usually affects women, with only around 10% of sufferers being male.

There are many factors that can trigger Melasma, and it is usually a combination of factors that are to blame, including:

• Hormones – melasma is often associated with the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone and this makes it common during pregnancy, with women taking oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during the menopause.

• Sun exposure is also one of the main triggers

• Light - all types including UVA, fluorescent and even computer screens can prompt the onset of this type of condition. Simply staying in and watching TV exposes your skin to ageing UVA rays!

• Genetic factors

• Medications – some medicines prescribed by your doctor may cause you to be more sensitive to sunlight, and therefore trigger conditions such as melasma. The herbal remedy St Johns Wort is well known to make skin more sensitive to light

We can offer in clinic treatments for melasma such as laser treatment. Watch our lasers and find out about pigmentation problems in Channel 4′s Embarrassing Bodies TV programme…

We also offer skin peels (link to website) or home care products. Products range from tyrosinase inhibitors that block the reaction to melanin production, to botanical skin lighteners such as Kojic Acid (a mushroom derivative favoured in bygone days by Japanese Geisha Girls), to prescription only medicines, such as hydroquinone and tretinoin, found in creams such as Pigmanorm and the Obagi Nu-Derm System.