Melasma is a growing concern, especially in women. We explain what it is and how to treat it.

melasma treatment

What is melasma?

Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation of the skin that usually appears on the face and is one of the most difficult types of hyperpigmentation to treat. Clinically, it is characterized by the appearance of brown to greybrown patches that tend to be symetrical and often have irregular shapes and borders, and they can vary in size. Melasma patches usually develop gradually over time and can darker. Although hormonal changes are one of the main causes of its appearance, there are many other reasons why it may develop.

What are the causes of melasma?

There are intrinsic and extrinsic factors that cause this type of skin spots:

  • Intrinsic factors: genetic predisposition, inflammatory processes, hormonal factors and ageing.
  • Extrinsic factors: solar radiation, photosensitising medication and exposure to chemical agents.

As a general rule, melasma occurs mostly in women, especially due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy or the use of contraceptive treatments.

Types of melasma

There are different types of melasma, depending on the depth of the spot. We can distinguish between:

1. epidermal melasma

It affects the most exposed layer of the skin and the hyperpigmentation is brown with well-defined borders.

2. dermal melasma

It affects the deepest level of the dermis and is characterized by blueish-grey patches.

3. mixed melasma

This is a combination of epidermal and dermal melasma and presents as grey-brown pigment. Due to the depth of melanin pigments in dermal and mixed melasma, these types can be more difficult to treat.

In addition, we can speak of chloasma to refer to melasma that appears during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

How to treat melasma?

There are many treatment methods based on the removal of surface melanin, such as lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL), chemical peels and acid creams. Other topical medical treatments such as those containing hydroquinone are able to regulate melanocyte activity but have a limited therapeutic time.

For a complete approach, treatments are required that, in addition to eliminating the visible blemish, regulate the overproduction of pigment to prevent its reappearance in the long term. 

At mesoestetic® we are leaders in depigmentation and offer solutions that help to keep the spot under control and prevent its reappearance.

Professional depigmenting treatment: cosmelan®

cosmelan® is the professional depigmentation method that eliminates the most severe and resistant skin spots with maximum effectiveness and safety.

The cosmelan® method has an exclusive combination of active ingredients with proven efficacy that provide a unique and dual mechanism of action, for short and long term results.

Before and after results: melasma treatment with cosmelan®

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Medical depigmenting treatment: dermamelan®

dermamelan® is the new generation treatment whose formula has been developed through the application of new technologies. It acts on the main key targets in the formation of skin spots.

This innovation has led to the registration of two patents and offers a more complete and effective action to treat the most severe and resistant blemishes.

How to treat melasma at home

In addition, there are also products and home treatments that can help control melasma and enhance the effects of medical or professional treatments.

melan tran3x concentrate is an intensive depigmenting concentrate with tranexamic acid that acts on excessive epidermal pigmentation by visibly reducing dark spots.

melan tran3x gel cream is a depigmenting cream for daily use that acts gradually on epidermal dark spots providing a more uniform skin tone.

Can melasma disappear on its own?

Melasma does not disappear. In times when sun exposure is not so intense, it may fade and not be so visible, but the spot still exists and will reappear with sun exposure. Therefore the use of a high, broad-spectrum sun protection is very important.

mesoprotech® is the range that offers the most advanced and complete photoprotective technology, protecting against the harmful effects produced by radiation, thus preventing skin hyperpigmentation.

If you are looking for specific sun protection for the prevention of dark spots, mesoprotech® melan 130 pigment control is a very high sun protection (UVB 131 and UVA 67), indicated for skin with pigmented imperfections and with a touch of color.

Dr Andrea Miralbell

Dr. Andrea Miralbell

Doctor specialized in cosmetic medicine

After graduating from the University of Barcelona, she began her hospital medical career in internal medicine and radiodiagnostics, and she worked at the Geneva University Hospital (Switzerland) for several years.
Passionate about cosmetic and regenerative medicine, she decided to dedicate fully to it in several leading clinics in Switzerland. She then completed a master's degree in trichology and hair implantology and was trained in the regenerative aesthetic gynaecology sector.
She currently offers aesthetic, hair and regenerative medical treatments in Barcelona and Geneva, as well as preventive health consultations.