At our skin care center in Austin, I am frequently asked about melasma. Melasma is a light to dark skin discoloration that appears on sun-exposed areas of the face. Although it can affect anyone, Melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives. During pregnancy, it is commonly known as the “mask of pregnancy” and often improves when hormone levels drop after pregnancy or when alternating methods of birth control. Affected areas can also improve with regularly scheduled aesthetic treatments such as chemical peels and the use of Hydroquinone and Kojic Acid. With these treatments, the effects are gradual, and a strict avoidance of sunlight is required. The judicious use of sunscreens with physical blockers such as titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide is preferred. Any sun exposure is capable of stimulating pigment production. It is important to remember the majority of the treatments offered are safe during pregnancy, and starting early can help prevent the worsening of hyperpigmentation. A client with this condition may need long-term treatments to clear or improve those areas.
So here are my recommendations:
- Strict avoidance of UV light
- Skin Care Products
- Incorporate a skin-lightening agent
- Skin Enlighten Brightener (Kojic Acid + L-Arbutrin): Safe during pregnancy. Apply to the full face each morning and evening.
- Hydroquinone 4%: Apply each morning and evening as a part of your daily skincare regimen
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- Apply daily sunscreen
- Theraderm Platinum 43- Physical Blocking sunscreen: Apply before makeup as the last step in your daily skincare regimen
- Blue Lizard Sunscreen (Sensitive) is for your active lifestyle. It is water resistant up to 240 minutes underwater. Remember that a little of this product goes a long way and that you must re-apply after swimming, jogging, or toweling off.
- Rae Cosmetics Mineral Makeup is a physical blocking agent that prevents UV light from penetrating the skin. It is a fantastic make-up line for the active Austin woman. It still allows you to work out at the gym or run Town Lake while looking great and without clogging your pores!
- A regularly scheduled series of Chemical Peels (recommendation of a minimum of 3 scheduled 3-6 weeks apart). Chemical peels work by causing damage to the outer layers of skin, which results in exfoliation as new skin regenerates, reducing pore size, stimulating collagen production, effacing fine lines/wrinkles, and correcting hyperpigmentation.
- Lactic Acid Peel (safe during pregnancy) (mild but effective)
- Jessner’s Peel (moderately aggressive)
- PIAZZA Signature Peel (most aggressive)
- Intense Pulse Light Therapy with a Photofacial
- Treatments take about 15 minutes and should be performed in a series of 5 for the most effective results. Photofacials can be alternated with chemical peels and can be performed every 3-6 weeks.
If you are interested in learning more about any of our skin care services, call my Austin plastic surgery office at (737) 787-7338 or email us! You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter on our “news” page.
