Clear and flawless skin is something everyone desires. However, as time passes, with age and external environmental factors, the outer layer of the skin inevitably develops various spots to some degree. Different types of spots form for different reasons, and they appear at different depths within the skin. Common types include freckles, sunspots, and age spots, but the most persistent and troublesome of all is melasma.
Melasma, also known as chloasma, is sometimes referred to as dark spots or hyperpigmentation. It can occur in both men and women but is more common in women. It often appears on the cheekbones and cheeks as a web-like or patchy pattern in shades ranging from light brown to dark gray, typically distributed symmetrically on both sides of the face. The name “melasma” comes from its color, which resembles the appearance of cooked liver, rather than being related to any liver dysfunction.
The exact cause of melasma is unknown and its formation is complex. It involves more than just melanin accumulation. Factors such as emotions, sleep, hormonal changes, and photosensitive medications can all trigger the formation of these spots. Clinically, melasma has also been found to be related to ultraviolet (UV) exposure, or photoaging, which is why it often appears on areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the cheekbones, forehead, and cheeks. Other areas, like the forearms and neck, can also sometimes develop melasma.
Treatment for melasma: need a multi-layered approach, addressing both internal and external factors, as well as various skin depths!
Treating melasma requires considering multiple factors. The medical community recognizes that melasma has chronic inflammatory characteristics, so treatment needs to be multi-faceted, combining various therapies with long-term maintenance. Current melasma treatments focus on stabilizing overall skin condition and lightening the spots. However, results are not immediate, and long-term improvement isn’t guaranteed. It’s important not to give up if there are no visible effects in the short term—patience is essential.
Traditional treatments include adjusting lifestyle habits, diet, and using topical sun protection, as well as combating melanin with laser treatments, oral medications, and topical agents to speed up pigment removal and maintain skin stability.
The methods mentioned above can provide some degree of effectiveness for melasma. However, conventional laser treatments can accumulate heat, leading to thermal injury that may damage surrounding skin tissue and result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which could worsen the condition. Therefore, if laser treatment is used, it’s crucial to opt for lasers with short pulse durations, which reduce the risk of thermal damage and minimize the chances of darkening the skin further.
Melasma can be very distressing. In addition to the treatments mentioned above, modern approaches should emphasize creating a healthy skin environment, increasing skin elasticity and thickness, and restoring the skin’s ability to metabolize melanin effectively.
Melasma Injections: A Breakthrough New Therapy
Recently, melasma injections have emerged as a groundbreaking new treatment. This method involves injecting compounds with properties that promote tissue repair and regeneration, suppress inflammation, and stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis into the subcutaneous layer. Combined with other anti-melanin treatments, this comprehensive approach works to repair the skin barrier, optimize dermal health, and enhance the skin’s metabolic capacity.
From my personal experience, each treatment session has lightened my melasma by about 20%. After three to four sessions, the lightening effect reached approximately 70%, and the affected area significantly reduced in size. The treatment leaves only a pinhole-sized wound, making post-procedure care very easy, and there’s no need to worry about post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
It’s important to emphasize that both “sun protection” and “hydration” are essential daily skincare steps. Additionally, adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle—especially eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C—can be beneficial. Based on my professional assessment, using this new combination therapy provides comprehensive improvement and long-term maintenance to strengthen skin quality, enhancing results and reducing the likelihood of recurrence.
