Melasma: treatment in Durango
The most common facial pigmentation in Mexican women, and the most stubborn. It responds well — but with a plan and with persistence.
What melasma is
Brown patches with soft edges, almost always symmetrical, on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and sometimes the jawline. The cells that give skin its color make too much pigment and deposit it in specific areas.
It mostly affects women and is very common in brown skin, which is most Mexican skin. It does not hurt, it does not itch and it is not dangerous — but it weighs on people, because it is on the face.
Why it appears
- Sun and heat. Not only direct sun: the heat from a stove or a hair dryer sets it off too.
- Hormones. Pregnancy, contraceptives and hormone treatments are known triggers.
- Family predisposition. It is common for a mother or a sister to have it as well.
- Skin irritation. Harsh products or poorly indicated procedures can make it worse.
How it is treated
Melasma responds to a combined plan, not to a single product:
- Topical lightening agents, prescribed and supervised. Several of the ones that work have limited courses of use.
- Daily sun protection, reapplied. For melasma a tinted sunscreen is preferable, because it also filters visible light.
- Procedures — gentle peels, SmartPICO — once the skin has settled. Never on inflamed melasma.
- Checking the hormonal side when the picture suggests it.
Follow-up is done with photographs under the same lighting. Comparing today’s photo with the one from three months ago is the only honest way to know whether it is improving: by eye you get used to it and stop noticing.
What makes melasma worse
- Over-exfoliating. Irritation is fuel for pigment.
- Dropping the sunscreen once it looks better. That is when it is needed most.
- Switching products every week. A lightening agent needs months to show what it can do.
- Direct heat. Cooking over a stove counts.
Frequently asked questions
How long before I see a change?
With a plan followed properly, eight to twelve weeks is when it usually shows. What you gain is held with sun protection and maintenance.
Can it be treated during pregnancy?
Several treatments are not used in pregnancy. What is done is protecting from the sun and keeping it from getting worse; active treatment resumes afterwards, after an assessment.
Is laser the answer?
Laser is a tool, not the answer. Without sun control and maintenance treatment, melasma comes back even after it has lightened, and a poorly indicated laser can leave it worse.
Why do I get it and my friend does not?
There is genetic predisposition and there is skin type. Brown skin produces more baseline pigment, and that explains a good part of it.
Shall we take a look?
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