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Skin Renewal Doctors all have a broad knowledge, background and passion for aesthetic medicine. Please feel free to ask them your questions and concerns.

Conditions
Conditions

Hormonal Pigmentation / Melasma

Melasma, also called hormonal pigmentation, is a persistent and complex skin condition that affects many South African women and, in some cases, men. It manifests as darkened patches on the face, often triggered by hormonal changes, sun exposure, and other environmental factors. While it can occur in any skin type, melasma is particularly prevalent among women with darker complexions and often requires long-term management.
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Understanding Melasma and Hormonal Pigmentation

What is Melasma?

Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation characterised by brown or greyish patches, commonly on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. The condition is often associated with hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy, when using oral contraceptives, or undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, other factors such as thyroid dysfunction, certain medications, and excessive sun exposure can also trigger melasma.

Common Skin Pigmentation Disorders

Triggers of Pigmentation Disorders

Various factors can trigger pigmentation disorders like melasma. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), are common contributors. Prolonged exposure to sun ultraviolet (UV) light can also worsen pigmentation. Additionally, certain photosensitising medications, including tetracyclines and some anti-psychotic drugs, can increase the likelihood of developing pigmentation issues.

Why Treating Melasma is Challenging

Melasma involves both superficial and deep pigmentation, treating it more challenging than other pigmentation disorders. It is often accompanied by underlying issues such as redness, sensitivity, and inflammation. This means treatment requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that addresses these root causes while managing pigmentation.

Skin Renewal's Doctor-Led Approach to Melasma

At Skin Renewal, we believe in a holistic, doctor-led approach to melasma treatment. During your initial consultation, one of our experienced doctors will assess your medical history, lifestyle factors, and skin condition to identify any underlying health issues contributing to your pigmentation. This personalised consultation ensures targeted treatment and addresses the condition's root cause.

Our comprehensive consultation process includes a physical examination and discussion of any external factors, such as hormonal imbalances, medications, or environmental exposures, which could exacerbate your condition. This thorough evaluation enables us to design a tailored treatment plan that offers the best results for your skin type and pigmentation severity.

The Importance of Combination Treatments

Melasma is a complex condition that often requires a combination of treatments for optimal results. At Skin Renewal, we combine various therapies to target different layers of the skin and address both superficial and deep pigmentation. This ensures that all contributing factors—vascular issues, redness, and inflammation—are managed effectively. This multi-pronged approach improves the appearance of pigmentation and promotes overall skin health.

Melasma treatments are customised based on the depth and severity of the pigmentation. Superficial treatments, such as chemical peels, Laser Genesis, PicoToning, and RF skin needling, focus on exfoliating and rejuvenating the skin to reduce pigmentation. For deeper pigmentation, treatments like PicoFractional, MesoBrite™ depigmenting mask, injected mesotherapy with Tranexamic Acid, and Dermapen skin needling with tyrosinase inhibitors are effective in targeting and breaking down pigmentation for long-term results.

Supplementation and Lifestyle Recommendations

For long-term management, we recommend daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen, topical antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E, and essential supplements like glutathione and MSM to boost skin health and reduce pigmentation.

Skin Renewal Tips for Managing Melasma

frequently asked
questions

Are treatments for Melasma available at all Skin Renewal clinics?
What does melasma look like?

Melasma typically appears as brown or greyish patches on areas of the face, such as the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin. The pigmentation is usually symmetrical and can vary in size, often triggered by sun exposure or hormonal changes.

What vitamin deficiency causes melasma?

A vitamin deficiency does not directly cause melasma, but low levels of certain nutrients, like Vitamin D and B12, may exacerbate skin conditions. A well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins can support overall skin health and may reduce the risk of pigmentation issues.

How do you stop melasma from spreading?

To prevent melasma from spreading, it's essential to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50+ every day, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and use products containing ingredients like Vitamin C and tyrosinase inhibitors. Managing stress and maintaining hormonal balance can also help reduce the spread of melasma.

What foods cause melasma?

While there is no direct link between specific foods and melasma, diets high in processed sugars, dairy, and inflammatory foods can contribute to skin inflammation, potentially worsening pigmentation issues. A diet rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, and foods high in omega-3, can promote healthy skin.

Does melasma go away?

Melasma can fade over time, especially if triggered by pregnancy or the use of birth control, but it often requires ongoing treatment and maintenance. It can persist or worsen without proper care, especially with continued sun exposure or hormonal imbalances.

What hormones cause melasma?

Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone are strongly linked to melasma. These hormones increase during pregnancy, when using oral contraceptives, or during hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can trigger or worsen melasma.

Is melasma hard to treat?

Due to its chronic nature and deep pigmentation, melasma can be challenging to treat. To see noticeable improvements and prevent recurrence, a combination of professional treatments, consistent sunscreen use, and long-term skincare management is required.

Frequently asked questions

Are treatments for Melasma available at all Skin Renewal clinics?
What does melasma look like?

Melasma typically appears as brown or greyish patches on areas of the face, such as the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin. The pigmentation is usually symmetrical and can vary in size, often triggered by sun exposure or hormonal changes.

What vitamin deficiency causes melasma?

A vitamin deficiency does not directly cause melasma, but low levels of certain nutrients, like Vitamin D and B12, may exacerbate skin conditions. A well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins can support overall skin health and may reduce the risk of pigmentation issues.

How do you stop melasma from spreading?

To prevent melasma from spreading, it's essential to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50+ every day, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and use products containing ingredients like Vitamin C and tyrosinase inhibitors. Managing stress and maintaining hormonal balance can also help reduce the spread of melasma.

What foods cause melasma?

While there is no direct link between specific foods and melasma, diets high in processed sugars, dairy, and inflammatory foods can contribute to skin inflammation, potentially worsening pigmentation issues. A diet rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, and foods high in omega-3, can promote healthy skin.

Does melasma go away?

Melasma can fade over time, especially if triggered by pregnancy or the use of birth control, but it often requires ongoing treatment and maintenance. It can persist or worsen without proper care, especially with continued sun exposure or hormonal imbalances.

What hormones cause melasma?

Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone are strongly linked to melasma. These hormones increase during pregnancy, when using oral contraceptives, or during hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can trigger or worsen melasma.

Is melasma hard to treat?

Due to its chronic nature and deep pigmentation, melasma can be challenging to treat. To see noticeable improvements and prevent recurrence, a combination of professional treatments, consistent sunscreen use, and long-term skincare management is required.

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Skin renewal Morningside is absolutely the best. I’m so happy with the service and the friendly and welcoming staff (the ladies at the front desk and the doctors). I started my journey with the clinic in February this year. My skin is looking the best it has ever looked. To my therapist, Prudence, thank you for doing a great job on my skin, for encouraging me to stick to my treatment plan and for explaining what each treatment entails and what to expect treatment. I am very happy and never look back.

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I had an excellent experience! The staff was friendly, welcoming, attentive, and professional, and they made sure I felt comfortable throughout my visit. I have always left feeling confident in the care I have received.

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My sessions with Dani have been a treat. She is gentle, friendly and kind. She explains the products and processes as we go along. My pigmentation is visible lighter, and my skin glows. I am very happy with the results.

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I have been to multiple Skin Renewals branches and changed my home branch as I wanted a new therapist. I visited Bedfordview after a long time for a doctors visit and honestly forgot how amazing the Reception team are. As you walk in, you are greeted with such warmth that you immediately feel special. The ladies should be the gold standard as they are just amazing. A special thanks to Maryke and Catarina. Will actually do all my doctor appointments at Bedfordview just to see the lovely team.

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Really enjoyed my experience, everyone was professional and kind. I loved my results. Would recommend!

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After trying many different top quality in-store and online, approved by dermatologist brands for my hyperpigmentation and feeling frustrated with little improvement, I was happy to find Skin Renewal Century City. My consultation was such a wonderful experience as I arrived at a beautiful office with friendly staff welcoming me at reception. I had my initial consultation with Dr. Liz Dodds who was also very friendly, knowledgable and professional. She made me feel understood and comfortable throughout my consultation. After assessing my skin, Dr. Liz Dodds explained my condition so well, calmed my fears about some of my skin concerns and gave me hope for the future. She worked out a skin plan for me and explained the way forward with my skin treatments so that nothing would be a surprise for me later. When I had my first treatment, Kayla was my therapist. She was professional and very caring. It was my first ever professional treatment and my expectations were exceeded. Before my treatment, she took me into a beautiful room which had such a serene ambiance. I remember it being a cold day, but Kayla ensured that I be comfortable and warm throughout my treatment as my bed’s electric blanket was turned on before my arrival. As part of my treatment, I received a glutathione peel along with a laser genesis treatment, but every time she would explain what I would be experiencing i.e. some heat or tingling as well as my downtime after each treatment. After my laser treatment, I received a face massage with a MelanoOUT serum, which was just so soothing! A few days after my treatment, Kayla contacted me to find out how my skin was doing and feeling post treatment. Fortunately, my downtime was very little (a few hours) and I could notice a brighter and more glowy appearance on the next day already - which made me so excited for my next treatments. I love that the staff at Skin Renewal Century City makes a concerted effort to make their clients feel welcome, comfortable and valued. They offer professional service from start to finish and they actually care about delivering a service that exudes excellence. I have already been referring close friends and family to Skin Renewal Century City, and I would most certainly refer anybody, who like me, needed help understanding their skin and wants to feel confident in their natural skin.

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Amazing experience there, the staff are super nice and helpful. Helen took care of me during her time there and left my skin healthy and amazing by the time she left

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Front desk staff in Rosebank are very knowledgeable, customer oriented and efficient. The new premises have beautiful appointment and decorated with sensitivity.

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Great place, with the best service. Amazing doctors and skincare therapists

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My experience at Skin Renewal Claremont has been nothing short of sublime. I am always greeted with a smile and a friendly, warm, welcoming atmosphere, which is the cherry on top of how incredible my skin looks and feels. The old saying "love the skin you're in" is probably the best way to describe how this journey at Skin Renewal makes me feel. Thank you, Skin Renewal for bringing back my long, lost confidence.

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