Dark spots on the skin, commonly known as melasma, are a more frequent issue than many realize and can significantly affect the self-esteem of both men and women. As a result, many people dealing with this skin condition are constantly looking for ways to remove melasma from their faces. Although there is no cure for melasma, there are methods that help reduce these dark spots. Learn more about what melasma is, how to quickly remove melasma from the face, and the most effective treatments available.
Quem Somos?
O Dr. Waldemar H. Szerman é dermatologista e uma referência no Rio de Janeiro quando se trata de cuidados com a pele. Com mais de meio século de atuação na dermatologia, formado pela Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), o Dr. Szerman possui uma carreira sólida e respeitada, tendo sido ex-chefe do serviço de dermatologia da aeronáutica.
Em 1969, fundou a Clínica de Pele, unindo sua vasta experiência médica à tecnologia de ponta para oferecer tratamentos dermatológicos com excelência no Rio de Janeiro. Desde então, a clínica se tornou sinônimo de tradição, inovação e confiança, sendo reconhecida como uma das melhores do estado.
Na Clínica de Pele, todos os procedimentos são realizados exclusivamente por médicos, com formação especializada em instituições reconhecidas.
Acreditamos que os melhores resultados vêm da união entre ética, produtos de alta qualidade, capacitação técnica e experiência dos profissionais que irão realizar o tratamento.
Em tempos em que os procedimentos estéticos têm sido amplamente banalizados, reforçamos nosso compromisso com a segurança, o conhecimento médico e a ética profissional.
Os Drs. Guilherme Szerman e Ronaldo Szerman são médicos com mais de 20 anos de experiência, formados pela conceituada Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), consistentemente reconhecida entre as melhores faculdades de medicina do Brasil.
Somos uma clínica dermatológica no Rio de Janeiro, com mais de 50 anos de tradição e certamente uma das melhores nesse tratamento.
Teremos um imenso prazer em atendê-lo!
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition characterized by dark spots on the skin. These spots usually appear in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, but can also develop on other parts of the body.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are the main cause of skin darkening, but other light sources, such as cell phones and computers, can also contribute to the worsening of these spots.
Hormonal factors are also linked to the appearance of melasma, including pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and thyroid dysfunction. As a result, the condition is more common in women.
What makes melasma worse?
Certain conditions and factors can worsen melasma, leading people to seek ways to remove it from their face, such as:
- Excessive sun exposure without UV protection.
- Overexposure to artificial lights, such as lamps, cell phones, computers, tablets, and LED lights.
- Not using sunscreen or applying it incorrectly without reapplying throughout the day.
- Heat exposure, such as using very hot hair dryers, being near a hot oven, or other situations that expose the skin to high temperatures.
- Intensive skin procedures.
- Hormonal changes, including contraceptive use or pregnancy.
- Stress.
What is the Best Product to Remove Melasma?
There are many remedies and homemade recipes on the internet that claim to teach how to remove melasma from the face. However, these methods can actually worsen the condition and are not effective.
The best recommendation is to consult a dermatologist to assess the issue individually and determine the most suitable treatment for each case.
There are numerous products that can be used to treat melasma. However, these products are generally used as complementary treatments to more effective procedures.
How to Remove Melasma from the Face?
Since melasma has no cure, saying that it can be completely removed would be misleading. However, there are several methods that can lighten, soften, and make the dark spots almost imperceptible. Check out some of them below:
Brightening Creams for Melasma Treatment
There are several dermatological creams for melasma that provide good results. The most effective ones contain ingredients such as:
- Hydroquinone
- Retinoids (Tretinoin, Adapalene, and Tazarotene)
- Topical corticosteroids
- Azelaic acid
- Kojic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Salicylic acid
Warning! It is crucial to follow the correct treatment with the appropriate dosage and duration as recommended by a dermatologist. Overuse of these creams can cause irritation, peeling, itching, and other adverse skin reactions, worsening the condition instead of improving it.
Therefore, a well-structured skincare routine should be carefully planned.
Aesthetic Treatments for Melasma
Some aesthetic treatments provide faster and better results than creams and are also recommended for melasma treatment, as they work on the superficial layer of the skin. The most recommended treatments include:
Chemical Peeling
Performed with substances in higher concentrations than creams, chemical peels remove the outermost layer of the skin, treating both mild and deep melasma. The most effective peels are for medical use only and are considered the safest procedures. It is essential to pay attention to the brand of the product used.
Microdermabrasion
Also known as crystal peeling, this treatment exfoliates and removes the superficial layer of the skin, renewing its appearance. It can be used as a complementary procedure before applying chemical peels.
Microneedling
This procedure uses micro-needles that puncture the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve blood circulation. It helps reduce dark spots, wrinkles, and skin laxity. However, it is considered a deeper method with a higher risk compared to the others mentioned.
The number of sessions needed depends on the chosen treatment.
How to Remove Facial Dark Spots – Laser Treatment
Among all available options, the most effective treatment for those looking to remove melasma is laser therapy.
Laser treatment works by emitting heat waves that penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, breaking down melanin pigment without causing burns. Due to its high efficacy, laser therapy is the best option for treating deep melasma.
The CO2 Deca Touch laser is one of the most recommended for treating melasma, sunspots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and other skin discolorations.
This technology can also be combined with chemical peels, making it easier to lighten facial dark spots, as previously mentioned.
What Causes Melasma?
The exact causes of melasma are still not fully defined, but the main factors include genetics, sun exposure, pregnancy, and the use of birth control pills. The main symptoms of melasma are:
- Dark or brown spots that start to appear on the face, particularly on the cheeks, forehead, and nose.
- Melasma can also appear in other areas of the body, such as the neck, arms, and legs.
The spots characteristic of melasma do not have a regular shape but are well-defined on both sides of the body.
What Are the Classifications of Melasma?
Melasma can be classified as dermal, epidermal, or mixed.
To understand how to remove melasma from the face, it’s essential to know its depth in the skin.
- Epidermal Melasma: Occurs when excess melanin deposits only in the epidermis, the outermost skin layer.
- Dermal Melasma: The dermis is a deeper skin layer located below the epidermis and above the hypodermis. Dermal melasma is more challenging to treat.
- Mixed Melasma: This type affects both the epidermis and the dermis, meaning it involves both superficial and deep skin layers.
What Are the Risk Factors?
Several factors can increase the risk of developing melasma and may prompt individuals to seek ways to eliminate melasma from the face. Some of the main risk factors include:
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop melasma than men.
- High Temperatures: Exposure to high temperatures can increase the risk.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy also contribute to the development of melasma.
- Dark Skin: People with darker skin are more prone to melasma due to a higher amount of active melanocytes.
- Family History: Having a close relative who has had melasma is also a warning sign.
Other factors that may contribute to melasma, according to the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, include:
- Pregnancy Hormones: Some studies suggest that certain pregnancy hormones stimulate melanotropin, which triggers skin pigmentation.
- When melasma occurs during pregnancy, it is called chloasma or melasma gravidarum. This condition is primarily due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone levels in pregnant women.
Another condition that can cause melasma is the use of birth control pills. Some women report that brown spots, i.e., melasma, appeared after taking the pill. Before using birth control, they didn’t have any skin spots, highlighting the importance of having a healthcare professional prescribe the pill.
Taking the pill without medical guidance is risky and could compromise your skin’s health, causing issues like melasma spots.
Skin Care: Sun Protection
Did you know that unprotected sun exposure is linked to the development of melasma? That’s right.
How to remove melasma from the face – sunscreen is the first step!
Although we don’t fully understand the cause of melasma, we do know that excessive sun exposure increases melanin production in the skin, worsening melasma spots. Always use sunscreen on your face.
Can Birth Control Pills Cause Melasma?
Birth control pills can affect a woman’s body in various ways, including causing melasma. This is why birth control pills should always be prescribed by a gynecologist.
We know that side effects from birth control pills can include skin issues, including melasma. Therefore, never take birth control pills on your own without professional advice. Always follow the prescribed dosage and use the medication recommended by a specialist.
Light and Melasma
Light exposure can also trigger melasma, just as other skin conditions may be influenced by light.
Melasma During Pregnancy
Melasma during pregnancy is referred to as chloasma gravidarum. It is caused by an increase in progesterone and estrogen in pregnant women, as mentioned earlier.
These two hormones are aided by melanotropins, which are responsible for activating or increasing melanin production in the body. This process triggers melasma on the face.
During pregnancy, you may notice dark spots on the cheeks, around the eyes, and in other areas like the linea alba (the belly line).
Pregnant women tend to develop spots in the following areas:
- Armpits
- Groin
- Breast area
- Areola
- Abdomen (linea alba)
There is also an increase in spots and moles all over the body. Hormonal changes generally start to occur a few months after a woman discovers she is pregnant, but these spots tend to fade after a while.
Dermatologists always recommend using sunscreen for pregnant women. Be sure to apply sunscreen regularly and reapply when necessary, especially after the third trimester.
Your dermatologist may also recommend using topical vitamin C, but if you have melasma on your face, seek a specialist for melasma treatment.
Melasma in Men and Women
Melasma is more common in women but can also occur in men. While the incidence in men is relatively low, it still happens. Men make up about 10% of melasma cases.
Factors associated with melasma in men typically include genetics, excessive sun exposure, and exposure to visible light.
These factors are also common in women. Therefore, regardless of gender, always apply sunscreen – it’s an effective prevention method for melasma on both the face and body. It can also prevent your spots from getting worse.
When it comes to hormonal factors, like those during pregnancy, it is difficult to prevent or control melasma. Therefore, seek treatment from a professional, especially if you suspect hormonal causes.
Laser Treatment for Melasma: Before and After
Check out the before-and-after photos of melasma laser treatments to see for yourself the effectiveness of this procedure:
Frequently Asked Questions about Melasma
Does Melasma have a cure?
Myth! Melasma is a type of skin discoloration where the patient tends to produce and accumulate melanin (dark pigment) uncontrollably in the skin. Various environmental factors can stimulate this production. Therefore, the treatment of melasma aims to lighten and control this condition.
Is every pregnant woman who develops spots affected by Melasma?
Not true. Pregnancy is a period of significant hormonal changes that cause women to be more prone to darkening certain areas of the skin. After pregnancy, the majority of women experience a reversal of this condition.
Does Melasma affect women more?
Yes, that’s true. Although the condition also affects men, its prevalence is much higher in women. This relationship is explained by the influence of female hormones on melanin production.
Is Melasma related to genetic factors?
Yes, that’s true. Some people have a genetic tendency to develop Melasma, which is why we often see members of the same family experiencing this condition. It’s important to remember that environmental factors will interact with this genetic predisposition and trigger its development.
Is Melasma strongly related to sun exposure?
Yes, it is. A person with Melasma must protect the affected area effectively, as sun exposure significantly increases the production of dark spots. There are also other factors, such as heat, white light, and others, that can contribute to the worsening of the condition.
Are there effective treatments for getting rid of Melasma on the face?
In general, the tendency associated with environmental factors causes the production of dark spots to occur differently for each patient. Care and treatment are continuous for controlling the condition. Some treatments show small effects over time on the spots. However, there are more specific and highly effective treatments, such as certain types of peels and fractional laser treatments like Deca Touch (cold laser), which offer excellent results for lightening and controlling the spots. In this way, the patient regains personal satisfaction with their skin.
Now you know that it’s not possible to completely get rid of Melasma on your face, but there are ways to treat the problem correctly. So, consult a professional and start the most suitable treatment for your case today!
Contact:
Clínica de Pele is a traditional and specialized dermatological clinic in Rio de Janeiro for over 60 years, since 1969.
Dr. Szerman has over 20 years of experience and teaches other doctors.
