Maintaining skin health during the summer is a challenge for melasma sufferers, as daily sun exposure can exacerbate dark spots. However, the arrival of autumn/winter, with the drop in temperatures, is an ideal time to start treating these conditions.
Melasma is a skin disorder that manifests itself through irregular shapes and brown or brown pigmentation. Although it has no cure, it is possible to control its evolution through clinical and home care treatments.
According to dermatician beautician Patrícia Elias, specialist in melasma treatment and skin health, several factors can contribute to the appearance of these spots, such as genetic causes, excessive exposure to the sun or heat, excess stress, changes in the liver and intestine, hormonal factors, medications, pregnancy, excessive use of acids and aggressive treatments.
In order to obtain satisfactory results in the treatment of melasma, it is necessary to reduce the inflammatory process of the skin and the body at the same time. For this reason, it is important for the specialist to evaluate each case individually, in order to identify the skin’s needs at each moment of the treatment and to set up the correct care protocol.
Patrícia Elias points out that, when melasma is still in its initial phase, the best options are techniques that control skin inflammation, such as low-power laser, LED therapy, Ilib therapy, microcurrents, lymphatic drainage, milder chemical peeling, whitening, antioxidant and calming actives. Products such as retinol, tranexamic, vitamin C, white clay, aloe vera, rosehip oil, palm rose essential oil, nicotinamide, kojic acid, mandelic and alpha arbutin are also an option.
In the case of older pigments, more intense resources can be used, such as the application of injectable tranexamic acid, ozone therapy, plasma application, medium peels, high power laser that does not cause damage to the skin, in addition to the use of oral sunscreen.
Before starting any type of treatment, it is necessary to assess the depth of the stain, whether it is epidermal or dermal, pigmented or vascular, how long the melasma has been present and check the general health to design an exclusive and judicious treatment for each individual.
Patrícia Elias holds a bachelor’s degree in Aesthetics and Cosmetology and a postgraduate degree in Dermatology from Faculdade IBECO, specialist in the treatment of melasma, hyperchromia, skin sagging, skin health, among other areas.
