MELASMA TREATMENT LIVERPOOL
Fade and remove those pesky spots and patches at our renowned melasma clinic in the heart of Liverpool.
what is melasma?
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that causes discoloured patches and spots a shade or two darker than your normal skin tone. It’s a common and frustrating skin condition that many of our patients struggle to treat on their own. Though it can sometimes naturally fade, this can take months and even years.
The skin condition is much more common in women than in men and is typically triggered by a hormonal change like pregnancy or starting a new form of birth control. Too much sun exposure can also cause and exacerbate the condition.
Luckily, there are many effective treatment options for melasma. Treatment can significantly fade its appearance and in some cases remove it altogether.
where does melasma appear?
In the vast majority of cases, melasma appears as dark patches on the face. These patches are typically symmetrical, mirrored on either side of your face. It can appear on the:
Forehead
Cheeks
Nose
Around the mouth
While less common, patches can show up on other parts of the body, usually the neck. However, it is not unheard of to find on the arms or chest. If you’re unsure if your patches are melasma or another type of hyperpigmentation, it’s always best to consult a skincare specialist.
melasma & prengancy
Melasma is called the ‘mask of pregnancy’ for a reason. This skin condition is especially common in pregnant women and is triggered by the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy. While melasma is physically harmless, it can cause insecurity and self-consciousness over one’s skin.
Melasma typically fades on its own after women give birth. However, it can sometimes persist long after, causing even greater emotional distress. This is why it's important to seek out effective treatment options to speed up the fading process.
melasma treatment uk
Fortunately, there are many different treatments that can fade and even remove melasma. Although it often goes away on its own, many still seek out treatment to get rid of their spots and patches faster.
Which treatment is best for you may vary depending on the state of your melasma. We recommend booking an initial skincare consultation with one of our wonderful skincare specialists so they can help determine what treatment or combination of treatments will work best for your needs.
prescription skincare
Sometimes the only thing melasma needs is a topical cream. These medical-grade creams must be prescribed by an aesthetic practitioner. They work by targeting the outer layers of the skin to lighten the pigmented areas. At Smileworks, our aesthetic practitioners can prescribe a number of prescription skincare products including hydroquinone, tretinoin cream, and trichloroacetic acid.
microneedling
Another option for melasma treatment is microneedling. This is when tiny needles are poked into the skin to encourage collagen growth and remove the outer layers. Because melasma is a more severe form of hyperpigmentation, microneedling isn’t always effective on its own. We often recommend our patients combine microneedling with chemical peels or laser treatment for best results. Starting at £100.
chemical peels
Chemical peels can both rejuvenate your skin and significantly fade your melasma. We are proud to offer four different chemical peels, each with their own unique benefits. Two of our less intense peels, mandelic and glycolic peels, are great for mild cases. Our Obagi Blue and PRX-T peels penetrate deeper into the skin, targeting the pigment at its root. Starting at £50.
laser treatment
For the vast majority of melasma cases, we recommend laser treatment. It is among the best and most effective ways to fade and remove pigmented spots and patches. At Smileworks, we use the Aerolase laser system which consists of two lasers: Neo and Era. The Neo is a non-ablative laser that promotes collagen production and targets hyperpigmentation.
Want to make sure your melasma stays gone? Combine the Neo with the Era, an ablative laser that removes the outer layer of your skin to reveal a refreshed glow. These two lasers are the perfect treatment combination. Starting at £200.
melasma treatment before and after
benefits of melasma treatment
DRAMATICALLY REDUCED MELASMA
The most anticipated benefit of treatment is the fading and removal of your melasma. After completing treatment, expect dramatic results and renewed confidence in your skin.
REJUVENATED AND REFRESHED SKIN QUALITY
Since most melasma treatments also provide basic skin rejuvenation, you can expect glowy, refreshed skin after treatment. Say hello to reduced pores and smooth, clear skin.
EFFECTIVE AND LONG-LASTING RESULTS
If you protect your skin from the sun after treatment, your melasma will stay gone. Our treatments are designed to remove the pigment in the deepest layers of your skin.
how to prevent melasma
Just because your melasma has faded or disappeared doesn’t mean it can’t come back. Your results depend on how well you protect your skin after your treatment. While it’s not always possible to prevent it from coming back, there are a few steps you can take to reduce this risk:
Wear broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day and remember to reapply regularly
When the UV Index is 3 or more, try to avoid sun exposure entirely
Wear a hat and protective clothing when in the sun for extended periods of time
Protecting yourself from the sun can further fade melasma and prevent it from returning or getting worse. It’s crucial that you wear SPF and avoid sun exposure so your beautiful results don’t disappear.
why choose smileworks?
Choosing where to get treatment can be a big decision, but luckily Smileworks makes it easy. We are proud to be Liverpool’s leading melasma clinic, and we treat dozens of cases every week. With the rapid rise of aesthetic complications, it’s never been more important to choose a reputable clinic that’s run by medical professionals.
At Smileworks, all of our clinicians and technicians are highly trained and experienced in what they do, so you can rest assured in their hands. We strive to offer safe yet effective treatment plans that will leave you with results to rave about.
FAQ
This answer varies from case to case, but generally laser treatment is considered the best and most effective way to treat melasma. This is because most melasma lives deep in the dermis, which is an incredibly difficult area to reach with other treatment methods.
Our Aerolase lasers are able to reach the dermis and can target the melasma quickly and effectively. If you want to get rid of your melasma fast and ensure it stays gone, laser treatment is the best choice for most patients.
Melasma is not dangerous and will not cause you any physical harm. However, the skin condition can be incredibly damaging to a patient’s confidence which leads to negative psychological effects.
Melasma does sometimes go away on its own. This is especially common with those who develop patches from hormonal changes like pregnancy or starting a new birth control. After giving birth or stopping birth control, the melasma often goes away.
However, this process can be long and gruelling. If you are eager to get rid of your melasma quickly and permanently, we recommend pursuing one of our treatment options to help speed up the process.
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation. All melasma is hyperpigmentation, but not all hyperpigmentation is melasma. Often it is caused by a hormonal change or imbalance from pregnancy or starting a new form of birth control. It is always best to protect yourself from the sun as UV radiation exaggerates melasma.
Melasma and sun spots can be difficult to differentiate since both appear as pigmented spots and patches on the skin. A good way to tell whether your hyperpigmentation is melasma is it shows up symmetrically and only on your face.
Sun spots are always caused by sun exposure, while melasma is usually caused by hormonal changes. Since they’re more surface-level, sun spots are easier to treat with over-the-counter creams and serums and require less intense treatments. Melasma occurs in the deepest layers of the skin, making it more difficult to treat.
While melasma is most common in women, it is possible for men to develop the skin condition. While it primarily occurs in women due to hormonal changes, melasma usually occurs in men because of too much sun exposure. Treatment is the same for men and women.
Unfortunately, the NHS does not treat melasma as it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. However, we are proud to offer a variety of treatments at an affordable price.
Like all hyperpigmentation, melasma tends to affect darker skin types more than lighter skin types. It can occur more intensely in brown and black skin and can be more difficult to treat. Historically, there have been limited options for treatment for darker skin tones. Fortunately, the Aerolase laser system works on all Fitzpatrick skin types so everyone can get effective treatment.
This depends on the treatment you choose to pursue. However, with laser, results can be seen as early as after the first session.
The results from your treatment are permanent, but you must continue to protect yourself from the sun. If you go back in the sun unprotected, it is highly likely that the melasma will return. It is three times as costly and time-intensive to fix melasma than to prevent it. If you don’t want to spend your money on more treatment, you must wear sunscreen and protective clothing when in the sun.
To start your melasma treatment, you can fill out our online booking form and book straight away. Alternatively, you can call our lovely Front of House Team at 0151 236 5166.
If you have any more questions about melasma treatment, please send us an email at reception@sexydentistry.com.
To find us, click on the map above or Google 'melasma treatment near me'.