Melasma Creams and Treatments to Fade Hyperpigmentation for Spots Removal   

Melasma is a medical condition that is cosmetically troubling. It mostly affects the face, takes months to treat, and can easily recur. Because of this, our medical providers and aestheticians take a serious approach to melasma. Not only do we devise individualized treatment plans, but we also take the time to educate our patients about melasma triggers and prevention to prolong each individual’s treatment results.

Melasma is a benign chronic hyperpigmentation disorder that causes dark blotches on the skin. This discoloration is caused by overproduction of pigment in the skin that is stimulated by certain triggers, such as sun exposure, hormones, and skin irritation. Melasma is most commonly seen on the face, but in rare cases can occur on other sun-exposed areas. About 90% of affected individuals are women. It is more common in individuals with darker skin tones. Melasma has also shown to be hereditary in some cases. Even though melasma does not cause symptoms, treatment is often desired for aesthetic reasons.

What is the main cause of melasma?

"Melasma happens when melanocytes—the cells that produce melanin in your skin—become overactive and produce an excessive amount of pigment," says Dr. Okereke. The overactivity can happen for any number of reasons (which is one of the reasons melasma is so hard to treat), but the two biggest causes are sun exposure and hormones, hence why you sometimes hear melasma referred to as a "sunstache" (sun!) or "pregnancy mask" (hormones!).

That means if you love to lay out, skimp on sunscreen, use hormonal birth control, or are pregnant, you're a prime candidate for developing melasma. Other triggers? Certain medications (so talk to your doctor), inflammation (from pollution, products, irritation, etc.), excessive heat (from things like hot yoga or hanging in the steam room), and an overly harsh or an aggressive skincare routine.

Who can get melasma?

It primarily affects women (fact: 90 percent of people with melasma are female) in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—so really, any adult woman can get it. That said, people with darker skin tones have more active melanin-producing cells in their body (melanin, FYI, is the thing that gives color to your skin, eyes, hair, etc.), making them more prone to melasma.There also the genetics thing: If your mom or grandma has or had melasma, chances are you could too.

What is the main cause of melasma?

"Melasma happens when melanocytes—the cells that produce melanin in your skin—become overactive and produce an excessive amount of pigment," says Dr. Okereke. The overactivity can happen for any number of reasons (which is one of the reasons melasma is so hard to treat), but the two biggest causes are sun exposure and hormones, hence why you sometimes hear melasma referred to as a "sunstache" (sun!) or "pregnancy mask" (hormones!).

That means if you love to lay out, skimp on sunscreen, use hormonal birth control, or are pregnant, you're a prime candidate for developing melasma. Other triggers? Certain medications (so talk to your doctor), inflammation (from pollution, products, irritation, etc.), excessive heat (from things like hot yoga or hanging in the steam room), and an overly harsh or an aggressive skincare routine.