Does Melasma Go Away? How to Treat Melasma?

This summer have you noticed your skin tone getting darker in patches; are you seeing black spots on your skin, or odd freckle-like spots suddenly appearing?

You may be experiencing melasma: a common skin condition that causes areas of skin discoloration that may look like dark brown patches, blue-grey patches, or clusters of dark spots, primarily on the forehead, cheeks, chin and upper lip.

One clue that you might have melasma is the pigmentation patches will appear darker than the surrounding skin.

Follow our Este advice on how to get rid of melasma and brighten your skin back to normal. We have pulled together commonly asked questions about melasma to help you better understand this common skin condition.

Este Medical offers UK melasma treatments and professional skin assessments that will help you clear up your skin.  

‍Is Melasma Dangerous?  

No, melasma pigmentation is not a significant health threat; melasma is non-cancerous.

You might be surprised to learn that melasma is more common in darker skin tones, and appears more prominently in the summer.

What might be considered dangerous to your health is what is causing your melasma, as there are a few medical conditions and illnesses, like thyroid disease and Addison's disease, that can trigger skin discoloration (i.e., melasma).

‍Contact Este Medical if you would like to have a skin assessment to determine if you have melasma.  

‍What Causes Melasma?  

As mentioned, there are some illnesses that can cause melasma skin pigmentation. More common reasons for melasma on the face and body are the following: 

• Sun damage; frequent sun, UV or heat exposure to the skin
• Hormone changes in puberty, or from postpartum and postnatal changes (e.g., pregnancy mask) 
• Some medications (e.g., birth control pills with oestrogen) 
• Family history and genetics 
• Illness or disease

‍Melasma is a specific type of hyperpigmentation that is more often caused by hormonal factors, particularly oestrogen and progesterone. This doesn’t mean you should neglect protecting your skin from sun exposure.

Our Este skincare experts recommend you wear a sunscreen lotion, cream, or face powder daily of at least SPF 30 or higher, to protect your skin from sun damage and the risk of developing melasma. 

‍Does Melasma Go Away On Its Own? 

It might go away on its own, but if you want to brighten your skin, or find that over time dark spots and grey patches of skin are not going away, then it is time to consider professional skincare treatments like our Este Medical cosmelan pigmentation peel for melasma. 

‍Find an Este Medical UK clinic near you and book a depigmentation skincare treatment. 

‍How To Treat Melasma? 

Find out how is melasma treated successfully at Este Medical clinics. We have 5-star ratings on Trustpilot from Este clients we have helped through depigmentation treatments to overcome an uneven skin tone, dark skin patches on the face, age spots and sunspots, and severe skin discoloration on the face. 

One of the best and most effective treatments for melasma and skin pigmentation is a cosmelan peel. A cosmelan peel’s special ingredients target the skin cells that give your skin its pigment to inhibit melanin production.

The peel’s key ingredient, kojic acid and azelaic acid, work together to balance and enhance the skin tone, as well as repair and renew skin cells.

When it comes to our Este Medical cosmelan treatment, it is not a skin bleaching treatment. Our UK cosmelan treatment is a skin-safe acid peel that is specifically designed to regulate pigmentation at a cellular level, as well as boost new skin cell production to renew and refresh your skin. 

‍Book a skincare consultation with Este Medical in the UK through our website. We are happy to answer any questions you have about treating melasma. 

‍Are Freckles and Melasma the Same? 

No, melasma and freckles are not the same condition. Sometimes people get freckles and melasma spots mixed up.

For the most part, freckles are caused by family genetics and sun exposure, while melasma is linked to hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy) and sun exposure.

The one thing they do have in common is being triggered by excessive sun exposure.  

An Este Medical skin assessment will help to diagnose what type of skin condition you are experiencing. We recommend you book an Este skincare appointment to assess the best skin treatment for your grooming and beauty goals. 

‍Can Birth Control Cause Melasma? 

There is data that reports around 25% of females who use oral birth control may develop skin melasma. As melasma can be triggered by hormone changes (e.g., puberty, pregnancy), it stands to reason that oral contraceptives will affect the hormone levels that control your ovulation. 

If with the start of using birth control you have noticed changes to your skin tone, book an appointment with an Este skincare expert to rule out which type of skin discoloration issue you may be experiencing, in most cases a cosmelan skincare treatment will help reduce the look of sunspots, dark patches of skin discoloration, and pregnancy mask. 

‍Can Melasma Be Cured Permanently? 

Regular cosmelan peel treatments are highly effective at keeping melasma under control. Additionally, you need to protect your skin from sunlight and other sources of light on a daily basis.

Use a daily sunscreen, and high quality skincare, like Este Plus, that helps to decrease skin inflammation and increase skin cell renewal. 

If you slack-off wearing a daily SPF and expose your skin to direct sunlight, then your melasma may come back. We strongly advise you to schedule regular depigmentation cosmelan treatments to keep your skin looking its brightest throughout the year.

‍Protect Your Skin From Melasma with Este Plus Skincare! 

‍Este Medical Group has a new line of phenomenal skincare products that are ideal for treating melasma at home and while on vacation!

We recommend our Este Plus Brightening Solution, EP Natural Lip SPF, and EP Supreme SPF 50+ suncare!