Melasma Toronto
Dark Patches and Pigmented Spots on the Skin
An estimated 600,000 Canadian women have a skin condition known as melasma. Melasma is a discolouration of the skin in the form of brown or grayish splotches. These pigmented spots are most often found on the face, particularly on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and nose. It can also appear on the neck and forearms.
Irregularly Pigmented Patches
Melasma is a complexion irregularity that is not a health risk, but can be troublesome. Dark patches of skin can be caused by excessive sun exposure, genetics, hormonal changes, and skin irritation.
While both men and women develop melasma, statistically it does affect more women — particularly those with darker skin (simply because they have more active cells that produce pigment). In fact, it frequently appears with pregnancy, which is called chloasma or "the mask of pregnancy".
Melasma rarely fades on its own, but we have a comprehensive program of products and procedures to help you treat your melasma.
Our board-certified dermatologists have extensive knowledge of the skin and related issues. They have the medical know-how to accurately assess the dark patches on your skin to determine whether they are melasma, and how best to treat it. It is only with this assessment that an effective treatment can be created for you.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
The cause of your melasma is unique to you. The cumulative effects of sun exposure may not be the primary cause of your melasma, but medical research has shown that it can certainly make it worse. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that you always protect your skin from the sun. That means wearing a hat and applying a broad spectrum sunscreen. Make sure that the sunscreen you use is suitable for your skin. Unsuitable products applied topically can cause irritation, which is another cause of melasma.
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Understanding Melasma
Melasma develops when melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in affected areas become hyperactive, producing excessive melanin that deposits in the skin. A combination of hormones, ultraviolet exposure, genetics, and inflammation triggers this hyperactivity. In fact, because hormones (estrogen and progesterone) directly stimulate the melanocytes, melasma frequently develops during pregnancy, with birth control pill use, or during hormone replacement therapy.
Melasma typically appears on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip. It has two forms:
Epidermal melasma affects the uppermost layers of the skin and appears as a darker brown discolouration. This type is generally easier to treat. Dermal melasma penetrates the skin's deeper layers and appears as bluish-gray.
Several factors make melasma uniquely challenging. The condition is chronic and relapsing, meaning even successful treatment often results in recurrence with sun exposure, hormonal changes, or inflammation. The melanocytes in affected areas remain hypersensitive, ready to produce excess pigment in response to triggers. This is why it's crucial that any diagnosis and treatment is performed by an experienced dermatologist.
Strategic Combination Approaches for Melasma
The most effective melasma management protocols involve layering multiple treatments that address different aspects of the condition. A comprehensive approach might combine MOXI laser treatments targeting dermal and epidermal pigment, chemical peels to exfoliate affected layers and encourage cellular turnover, as well as customized medical-grade skincare to support skin barrier health. This multi-pronged strategy targets melasma from multiple pathways simultaneously, resulting in better clearance rates and longer-lasting results compared to single-treatment solutions.
Melasma FAQ
Can melasma be cured?
Melasma is a skin condition that can fade with time, particularly if it develops with pregnancy, however, it cannot be cured. There are many medical aesthetic treatments that can improve melasma and you can work with one of our board-certified dermatologists to prevent future melasma flares.
What is the main cause of melasma?
How can I lighten melasma on my face?
Which hormone imbalance causes melasma?
Skin affected by melasma is more responsive to the hormone, estrogen. Estrogen has been found to stimulate pigmentation, which in turn increases the risk of melasma.
What is the difference between melasma and hyperpigmentation?
How do you stop melasma from spreading?
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650 Mount Pleasant Rd #8
Toronto, ON M4S 2N5, Canada
Phone: 647-351-9277
Fax: 647-351-9077
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