What is Melasma And How Do I Treat It?
The dreaded “mask of pregnancy”, melasma is a very common skin condition associated with hormones that result in darker patchy areas appearing on the skin. many women battle melasma, even if they’re not pregnant! Don’t worry though — with the right treatments, melasma can be managed (there’s no cure so consistent treatment is key). I’ve put together the best ways to treat melasma at-home below!
Have you heard of the skin condition called melasma? Melasma causes dark patches of discoloration on the skin. Most commonly on the forehead, bridge of nose, upper cheeks, upper lip and chin (it always presents itself as symmetric blotchiness, usually in the center face region). One of the most important things for anyone struggling with melasma to do to prevent is to stay out of the sun, use a SPF (everyday) and avoid extreme heat (think saunas, hot yoga)! I’ve outlined a full skincare regimen treating melasma for you below!
Sample skincare regimen to treat melasma/hyperpigmentation —
Cleanse: Use Brightening Facial Wash — It exfoliates dead surface cells for softer, smoother skin while brightening skin complexion.
Tone: Toning Pads — Reveals clearer, brighter skin while tackling clogged pores and increasing penetration of your other skincare products, making them more effective.
Our Must: Vitamin C — Designed to penetrate deep into your skin, all of our Vitamin C products provide effective antioxidant protection from UV damage as it minimizes hyperpigmentation and encourages the growth of collagen and elastin fibers. Take the Skin quiz here to see which one is best for you!
Booster: Choose Brightening Serum — Brightening Serum calms the skin and help with redness, hyperpigmentation (sunspots), and highly recommended for anyone struggling with melasma. Use at least one jar of these before moving onto our Toning Pads!
The Best Everyday Sunscreen For Melasma: The Barefaced SPF — Soft, lightweight and calming formula is perfect for daily use in a weightless, residue-free formula. Available in sheer or tinted with max protection from the sun at 50+.
My Recommended Retinoid: RetinAL Skin Therapy — Improves skin complexion and texture, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while reducing visible signs of photo-aging. Key for melasma treatment!
Melasma treatment FAQ
Are there prescription treatments for melasma? What about laser treatment or chemical peels?
Yes, there are quite a few prescription and office treatments out there for melasma. If your melasma is moderate to severe, it is highly likely you will require a topical prescription to treat. Most commonly, people have to use prescription strength topicals such as hydroquinone with a retinoid to help treat melasma. However, there can be success with at-home prevention and treatment (see above!) Laser treatments and chemical peels can also be very effective, but we highly recommend “prepping the skin” with a medical grade skincare routine (minimizing melatonin production) for at least 6 weeks for best results and going to a provider who knows which lasers are safe.
What is hyperpigmentation, and is it the same as melasma?
Hyperpigmentation is also when some areas of your skin appear darker than others, but it’s not the same as melasma. While melasma causes patches of discoloration, hyperpigmentation can present as freckles, sun damage, red/dark spots after acne has healed, etc. It is more random dispersion than melasma and usually not as intense.
How do I prevent melasma from worsening?
Avoid long sun/heat exposure as well as melatonin supplements, IPL or light treatments, over exfoliation, and even things such as hot yoga, sitting in a hot car, steamers, and hot air from the oven. It is best to start treating melasma as soon as you notice it. Many people with melasma have found that it’s helpful to avoid soy in their diet as well. I highly recommend applying SPF and wearing hats (or a shield if you’re extra like me) religiously!
Final Melasma Treatment Tip! For nighttime use, I recommend using Hydrating Lotion as your moisturizer as it increases the efficacy of retinoids. If your skin is extra dry, you can also incorporate Hydrating Serum. Glow Peel Pads and Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask. See below for some incredible Before + After testimonials about our recommended melasma treatment from our Barefaced community! Brightening Facial Wash
