Melasma & Hyper-pigmentation
Dark spots or pigmentation on your skin?
It can be difficult to distinguish between sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and melasma, as these common skin conditions often appear similar. Although they have distinct underlying causes, they frequently share overlapping features and contributing factors, making accurate diagnosis by a Specialist Dermatologist essential.
Melasma
One specific type of hyperpigmentation is melasma. Although it is also a condition characterised by darker patches of skin, namely affecting the cheeks, nose, chin, upper lips and forehead, melasma is differentiated from other forms of hyperpigmentation by its cause. Rather than being purely sun-related, melasma is caused in part by hormonal and vascular changes within the body.
Melasma is treated with sun protection, cosmetic camouflage, topical treatments, such as peeling and lightening agents, oral medications and laser and light treatments.
If you have noticed the development of pigmentation in cosmetically sensitive areas speak to our team at HCDL. Our Dermatologists will take a thorough clinical history and perform an examination of the area affected. They will create a treatment plan that is unique to you that will provide the best possible solution for your pigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is an umbrella term used for conditions where one patch of skin becomes noticeably darker than the surrounding skin. This term covers a number of more specific conditions such as age spots, freckles and melasma.
Although different types of hyperpigmentation can be caused by various factors such as acne scarring, medications or inflammation from other conditions, one of the main causes of hyperpigmentation is sun exposure. When we leave our skin unprotected, harmful UV rays can cause damage that causes the skin to produce more pigment than normal.
Most hyperpigmentation is harmless, and many forms are readily treatable using a combination approach with topical creams and laser therapies. It is important to accurately assess your pigmentary concerns by one of our Dermatologists or highly trained Registered Nurses.
Why do we recommend combination medical & laser management?
Achieve Faster and More Noticeable Results
Medical creams can take several months to show visible improvement. When combined with gentle, carefully selected laser treatments, results are superior and seen sooner, with greater clarity and evenness of skin tone.
Reduce Risk of Recurrence and Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation
Melasma is prone to recurrence. A dermatology-led combination plan uses well-tolerated medical therapies to suppress pigment cell activity, while selecting low-risk laser modalities to stimulate collagen and improve the skin immune function. Ongoing sun protection and skin barrier support are also part of this holistic, preventative approach.
Target Multiple Causes of Pigmentation
Melasma and hyperpigmentation are often driven by a mix of hormonal, inflammatory, and environmental factors. Medical treatments reduce pigment production at the cellular level. Laser treatments target existing pigment in the skin, breaking it down for natural removal. Together, they treat both the cause and visible pigment more effectively.
Real Patient Results
Treatment Options
For treating melasma and hyperpigmentation, several options are available, including laser therapies, such as the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser micropeel, Q-switched laser and Tixel.
Our energy based devices are part of a comprehensive medical approach to managing hyperpigmentation and where appropriate we combine these with topical therapies to optimise outcomes.
CO2 Laser Micropeel
The CO2 laser micropeel is a light fractional ablative laser treatment that targets the superficial layers of the skin. It effectively removes pigmented lesions and promotes the regeneration of new skin cells, which can help in reducing hyperpigmentation. The procedure offers precise control, allowing for tailored treatment depth depending on the severity of the pigmentation. Downtime can vary, but typically, there is a period of redness and peeling for a few days as the skin heals. A course of treatment may be necessary for best results.
Q-Switched Laser
The Q-switched laser is a non-ablative laser that targets melanin in the skin. It delivers short, high-intensity pulses of energy that break up the pigment into smaller particles, which the body then naturally clears away. This laser is particularly effective for treating deeper pigmentation issues like melasma, post inflammatory pigmentation and birthmarks. The Q-switched laser has minimal downtime, with mild redness or swelling possible after treatment. Several sessions are generally required to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.
Tixel
Tixel is a non-laser fractional skin rejuvenation system. Tixel works by creating microscopic columns within the skin to allow deeper penetration of topical anti-pigment agents.
Tixel treats delicate facial skin, including periorbital, eyelids, the neck and décolleté safely and quickly with low pain and 0-2 days downtime.
Tixel employs direct heat and is radiation-free.
Achieve Clear, Even Skin tone with Personalised Care
Our comprehensive melasma and hyperpigmentation treatments combine advanced laser therapy with targeted prescription grade topical agents.
We focus on helping our patients to maintain excellent long term results for this often chronic condition.