Melasma in Houston, TX

We know that applying sunscreen in south Texas is vitally important to the health of the skin. However, people with melasma, also known as chloasma, have to be even more diligent as their facial skin can easily develop irregular patches of dark skin on the face or forearms. These tan or brown patches generally occur symmetrically on the forehead, nose, cheeks, or upper lip. The symmetry of melasma distinguishes it from other conditions that cause darkening of the skin.

Our practitioners at Advanced Dermatology treat melasma regularly at each of our four locations where we offer a variety of light to deep impact treatments that can help reduce the visibility on the skin. The treatments at our Katy, League City, Pearland, or Sugar Land, TX offices are cosmetic only in nature and will not cure your skin of melasma. It can, however, lighten the dark patches that are not aesthetically pleasing. Schedule a consultation today.

Melasma's exact cause remains unknown. Medical experts believe that multiple factors could trigger the dark patches in melasma, including hormone fluctuations, a genetic predisposition, race, the use of anti-seizure medicines, and taking medications that make the skin more prone to pigmentation after ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Women with fair complexions have an increased chance of developing melasma patches during a hormonal imbalance, while pregnant, or throughout menopause. 

We also know that in the summer months when the sun is most intense, melasma is more prevalent. The hyperpigmentation tends to be less or lighter in the winter.

Melasma's only symptom is hyperpigmentation on the face. Three types of common facial patterns have been identified for melasma:

• Centrofacial (center of the face) – hyperpigmentation among the cheeks, upper lip, nose, chin, and forehead
• Malar (cheekbones) – melasma patterns amid the upper cheeks
• Mandibular (jawbone) – hyperpigmentation along the jaw

Your practitioners at Advanced Dermatology have a menu of options available for you to treat melasma. To lighten the dark patches of melasma (no matter the cause), we offer topical treatments (hydroquinone or retinoid creams, gels, or lotions), medical-grade chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling, intense pulsed light photofacials, and laser skin resurfacing. You can expect our large selection of melasma management tools at all levels to be one of the largest selections of treatments in the Greater Houston area and a team of trained practitioners and technicians to go with them. When it comes to your melasma issues, the type of hypopigmentation treatment will depend on the severity.

Even if most of these pigmentation problems are not harmful, melasma may cause low self-esteem, psychological problems, and more from the melanin gathering heavily on facial skin. Melasma is not a normal age spot or freckle patch. It has common facial patterns on the face, cheeks, and jawline. If you would like assistance managing your melasma, please make an appointment at our Katy, League City, Pearland, or Sugar Land, TX office.