Melasma
Shine Dermatology is helmed by experienced and committed dermatologists with years of medical experiences in London and Singapore.
Achieve Effective Control Of Melasma With Medically Proven Treatments
Melasma typically presents as blotchy brown pigmentation affecting the cheeks, temples, forehead and upper lip of women and men. This is a chronic, difficult to manage condition and we now have treatments that can offer good control.
The main contributing factors for melasma development include:
- Sun exposure
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal treatments eg contraceptive pills or HRT
- Family history of melasma
Our highly experienced dermatologist will assess you carefully to ascertain the diagnosis before recommending any treatment as melasma can look similar to other forms of pigmentation on the face. The treatment of different types of facial pigmentation can vary significantly.
Treatment
Melasma is a condition that can cause considerable embarrassment and distress. Our dermatologists can now offer safe and effective treatments for optimal control.
Sun protection is extremely important in the treatment of melasma.
Lightening creams that are of a high medical grade and only available on prescription can help lighten melasma in some patients.
Oral tablets such as tranexamic acid and polypodium leucotomos provide excellent lightening for most patients. Your Dermatologist will ensure you are a suitable candidate for such treatments.
Picosecond lasers and microneedling radiofrequency at gentle settings can provide further lightening of the facial pigmentation. These can be used in conjunction with topical or oral treatments. Beware of using overly aggressive laser treatments which may cause worsening of melasma.
Ultherapy at superficial settings can repair and rejuvenate the dermal collagen and improve overall skin quality which is an important goal during the treatment of melasma.
Injectables such as Rejuran and Profhilo help to restore and repair the microenvironment of the skin and improve overall skin quality. Microinjections or transdermal delivery of tranexamic acid can also directly impact the melasma patches and improve the pigmentation.
Scientific Publications Related To Melasma
We have a deep interest in the management of skin pigmentation including melasma, resulting in collaborative studies with eminent Hong Kong and Singapore dermatologists and the publication of several scientific articles and book chapters.
- Ho SG, Chan HH. The Asian dermatologic patient: review of common pigmentary disorders and cutaneous diseases. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 2009; 10(3): 153- 68
- Chan NP, Ho SG, Shek SY, Yeung CK, Chan HH. A case series of facial depigmentation associated with low fluence Q- switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser for skin rejuvenation and melasma. Lasers Surg Med 2010 Oct; 42(8): 712-9
- Ho SG, Yeung CK, Chan NP, Shek SY, Chan HH. A retrospective study of the management of Chinese melasma patients using a 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013 Aug; 15(4):200-6
- Chan HHL, Ho SGY. 2008. Special Considerations in Asian/Far Eastern Skin. In: Alam M, Bhatia AC, Kundu RV, Yoo SS, Chan HHL, eds. Cosmetic Dermatology for Skin of Color, 1st edition, Chapter 21. United States: McGraw-Hill
- Ho SGY, Chan HHL. 2013. Laser treatment of ethnic skin. In: Hruza GJ, Avram MM, Dover JS, Alam M, eds. Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology: Lasers and Lights, 3rd edition, Chapter 10. United States: Elsevier
For further information and advice, contact us on +65 6206 6635 for an appointment
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