A concern is a common reaction from patients with melasma, a skin condition characterized by developing gray or brown patches on the skin’s surface. Many people experience insecurity and concern about the long-term health of their skin due to facial hyperpigmentation and discoloration. Exposure to the sun or tanning beds, hormonal shifts, and genetic susceptibility are all common risk factors, but the exact origin of this sickness is unknown.
This condition affects a considerable number of people all around the world. Women in their twenties to early forties, as well as persons of color, are more vulnerable. People with melasma typically seek treatment in the hopes of curing the condition, whether for cosmetic reasons or the health of their skin. Thanks to advancements in dermatology, chemical peels are an efficient means of treating melasma.
Treating Melasma With Chemical Peels
As part of a resurfacing technique known as a chemical peel, a chemical mask, or “peel,” is applied to the skin. This mask helps gently exfoliate the skin by removing the dead cells’ top layer. Improved skin health and a quicker rate of cell regeneration are the results of this treatment procedure. Chemical peels are an excellent treatment for the discoloration of the skin caused by melasma.
When treated to the affected area, chemical peels diminish hyperpigmentation’s visual impact and prevent further melanin accumulation, the pigment responsible for the condition’s coloring. As a result, chemical peels can help prevent future melasma as long as strict sun avoidance is practiced. When performed by a board-certified dermatologist, the procedure is entirely safe and effectively treats the condition.
What Is Melasma And Why Does It Happen?
While brown or gray skin melasma lesions can show up everywhere on the body, they are more common on the face. The facial features most commonly affected by melasma include the forehead, upper lip, nasal bridge, and cheeks. Although melasma affects both sexes equally, the American Academy of Dermatology reports that 90% of melasma cases are found in females. In particular, middle-aged to older women (those in their twenties to forties) are at a higher risk. Pregnant women have a higher than average risk of developing melasma (15-50%).
Melasma develops when the skin’s melanin-producing cells become overactive. The human body produces its own pigment molecule called melanin. Melanocytes are skin cells in the epidermis responsible for the production of melanin. Melanin, which is made by melanocytes, is what gives skin its color.
Melasma is caused by an increase in the number of melanocytes in the epidermis. Excessive melanin production causes uneven skin tone and the appearance of dark or light patches. The precise source of this overproduction of melanin in the melanocytes is unknown, although risk factors include prolonged exposure to sunlight, hormonal changes, and genetic predisposition.
Consult Before Addressing Your Melasma
When deciding on a treatment plan for melasma, it is essential to consult with a dermatologist who is board-certified in treating the condition. Many skin-lightening products used to treat melasma may have unwanted side effects on persons with darker complexions, making this an essential consideration for those with darker skin tones. Inadequate medical care increases the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in people with darker skin tones. We can provide comprehensive details on the many treatment options available at Aspire Aesthetics and Wellness Clinic.
Laser procedures, topical skin care products, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels are available here at the clinic to treat melasma. Melasma sufferers often come to us since our chemical peel service is one of the most popular and effective treatments. Chemical peels have various active chemicals, including glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and hydroquinone. Chemical peels are an effective method for reducing skin discoloration, and patients often see benefits right away.
How Chemical Works Against Melasma?
Many people with melasma wonder if chemical peels will help them, and the answer is a resounding yes. A chemical peel, which is an acidic topical mask, can be used to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin from the face. Depending on the intensity of the peel, the mask may damage the epidermal (outer) layer of skin or reach the dermal (deeper) layer. The acids break down dead skin cells, causing a gentle peeling effect. The regulated skin injury eliminates skin defects and enhances the skin’s look by stimulating a healing reaction that leads to increased collagen synthesis.
As the VI Chemical Peel specifically targets pigmentation on several layers of skin, it is the gold standard for treating and preventing dark spots. When first applied, the active compounds in the VI Chemical Peel encourage cell turnover, removing excess melanin from the epidermis and lightening dark spots. The peel disrupts the melanin-producing melanocytes and the melanin-transporting keratinocytes, stopping the production of new melanin. New dark patches on the skin won’t form if you do this.
Getting A Chemical Peel
The first step in melasma treatment is to schedule a consultation with our specialists. Please bring a list of all current medications and skin care products you are using to your consultation. You may advise your patient to discontinue certain drugs, contraceptives, or skin care products if they worsen the condition. Additionally, our aestheticians can help you figure out what treatment or combination of treatments would most effectively eradicate your melasma. We’re used to dealing with patients of diverse skin tones, and we know which treatments are safest and most successful for each.
The VI Chemical Peel is the treatment of choice for melasma since it is effective and gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive skin. The first part of the VI Chemical Peel is performed in-office using the VI Chemical Peel 1 solution. Depending on the melasma’s severity and skin tone, the mask should be left on for anywhere from four to twelve hours. After ten minutes, you can wash off the mask with mild soap.
Chemical peels are a noninvasive therapy option with few potential adverse effects. Dryness and discomfort at the treatment site are usual aftereffects, but they subside after a few days. The depth of the chemical peel determines the intensity of the adverse effects. Wearing sunscreen after a chemical peel is necessary to ensure your skin’s safety after treatment.
If you are interested in this option, contact our clinic anytime to experience our services!
