Melasma

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Buy melasma treatment online.

Melasma is a condition that causes darker patches of skin to appear on your face or other areas commonly exposed to the sun. Although it’s harmless, it can affect your confidence or self-esteem.

So if you’re looking to restore your natural tone, our experts can help. Get proven, effective options from our dermatologist and order melasma treatment online.

Here’s what's included in the price:

Consultation

Answer a few questions about your health so we can get to know you better.

Free 24h delivery

Your treatment delivered in secure packaging, the very next day.

Aftercare

We’ll check in with you regularly to see how your treatment is going.

View all prices

Melasma: essential info
Causes and symptoms
What are my options?
FAQ

What is melasma?

Melasma is a dermatological condition that causes patches of your skin to become darker. It’s not harmful or contagious, won’t lead to any further complications, and causes no physical symptoms other than those visible on the skin — it only affects your appearance. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth treating. The change in appearance that it does cause can have a significant effect on your self-confidence, or mental health more broadly.

It’s thought to be triggered by exposure to UV light, which tends to make it more noticeable in the summer months, with symptoms typically fading over winter. Melasma is also particularly common in pregnancy, which is why it’s sometimes also called: ‘pregnancy mask’.

Who gets melasma?

Anyone can get melasma, but research shows that it’s far more common in women than it is in men, with the American Academy of Dermatology claiming that around 90% of the people who get melasma are female. This is, in part, due to the increased likelihood of getting it during pregnancy. It’s thought that somewhere between 15% and 50% of pregnant women will get it. Usually the condition goes away once the baby has been delivered, but may come back with any subsequent pregnancies.

Melasma has also been shown to be more common in people of colour, or in those who tan quite easily, as well as people with a family history of it (though there’s no evidence that it’s hereditary). It also tends to appear for the first time in people between the ages of 20 and 40.

How common is melasma?

Melasma is a fairly common condition, but exact information on just how common is a little difficult to come by. Estimates suggest that 1.5% to 33% of people have it, depending on the population. So, depending on where you live, it may affect as little as one-or-two out of a hundred people around you, or as many as one in every three.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer

on September 12, 2023.

Meet Alexandra Cristina

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer on September 12, 2023. Next review due on September 11, 2025.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

What treatments are there for melasma?

There are a range of treatment options for melasma, which will depend on the extent of your condition, as well as your preferences and needs.

Common treatment options include:

Skin lightening creams. These can balance out your skin tone to make the melasma less noticeable;
Dermatological procedures. These include chemical peels, microneedling and laser therapy;
Tranexamic acid. This is normally a treatment used to stop bleeding, but it has recently been found to improve the appearance of melasma for some people;
Hydroquinone. This is a common treatment for melasma. It’s a prescription treatment that you apply to your skin to even out its tone;
A combination of tretinoin and mild corticosteroid. This combination of treatments can also even out your skin tone; and:
Triple combination cream. Usually a combination of tretinoin, corticosteroid and hydroquinone.

Your dermatologist may also prescribe something that’s a little easier on your skin in some situations, such as azelaic acid, kojic acid or vitamin C.

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for melasma?

The best treatment for melasma is the one that suits you best, really. So this may vary from person-to-person. If you’ve developed melasma during your pregnancy, for example, you’ll be advised not to use hydroquinone or retinoid creams, as they can be harmful to your unborn baby.

Ultimately, the best treatment routine for melasma is one which decreases the amount of pigment your skin makes, as well as evening out your skin tone to bring it back to its natural colour.

According to research, the most successful option seems to be a combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin and a topical corticosteroid. One study recommended this option as the best treatment for melasma, but it won’t always be the best or safest for everyone.

Does melasma always need treatment?

Not always, no. Melasma can go away on its own without treatment. If it develops during pregnancy, for example, it may go away a few months after delivery (though it might come back if you get pregnant again). Certain measures to remove possible triggers can also help to treat it. Some common ways of doing this are:

stopping contraception if you’re using hormonal methods;
stopping or changing your HRT if you’re using it; and
minimising sun exposure by wearing wide-brimmed hats or using sun-screen.

Some people might also find that they can make their melasma less noticeable by wearing camouflaging makeup, which can even out your skin tone without the need for treatment. This might be the best option if you have a milder form of the condition.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer

on September 12, 2023.

Meet Alexandra Cristina

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer on September 12, 2023. Next review due on September 11, 2025.

How we source info.

FAQ: Melasma

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is melasma diagnosed?

Answer:

Melasma can often be accurately diagnosed by a clinician looking at your skin. (It’s quite easy to identify based on its appearance.) In some situations, a dermatologist might use a specialised tool like a Wood’s lamp (a device that uses black light to detect abnormal pigmentation) or a dermatoscope (a hand-held device that can be used to examine skin problems) to see the extent of your condition.

Are there different types of melasma?

Answer:

There are three types of melasma: dermal, epidermal and mixed. The type you have is dependent on the level of increased melanin in your skin.

Epidermal melasma normally has a well-defined border and is dark brown in colour, whereas dermal melasma is defined by an ill–defined border and a light brown or blue-grey colour. Dermal melasma tends to be harder to treat than epidermal melasma. Mixed melasma, though, is the most common type. It has a combination of colours and sits somewhere in-between dermal and epidermal melasma in how well it responds to treatment.

Are there tests for melasma?

Answer:

Tests aren’t typically needed for melasma, as it’s quite easily identified and diagnosed by its appearance alone. However, on some occasions, your dermatologist might want to take a small sample of skin to test in a lab (a biopsy). The results of this biopsy will be used to rule out any other conditions that might be causing it.

Does melasma treatment always work?

Answer:

Fully treating melasma can be tricky, and it’s quite common for it to return once treatment has stopped. So, in that way, melasma treatment might become a lifelong consideration. You might also have to try a few different treatments before you find the best one for you. But, with the range of options available, you should be able to find one that’s effective.

Why should I buy melasma treatment online with Treated?

Answer:

We understand just how important your skin is to you. That’s why when you order dermatology treatments from us, we’ll look after you every step of the way. With tailored treatment options from our dermatologist and ongoing care and support from our experts, we’ve got you covered. Your chosen treatment will be sent straight to your door as and when you need it, so you won’t have to worry about running out or re-stocking. You can just focus on the one thing that matters: your health.

Take our quick and easy consultation now to see what options we’ve got for you.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer on September 12, 2023. Next review due on September 11, 2025.

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Melasma

Buy melasma treatment online.

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