Treating Skin Concerns: Melasma and Microdermabrasion

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes symmetrical patches and spots of skin darker than the sufferers natural skin tone to appear, usually on the face. Melasma can show up as tan, brown, greyish brown, or bluish grey patches or freckles. It can be treated with SkinBase Microdermabrasion.

melasma and microdermabrasion
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Melasma is a common skin condition that causes symmetrical patches and spots of skin darker than the sufferers natural skin tone to appear, usually on the face. The cheeks, forehead, chin and upper lip are most likely to be the affected areas. Less commonly, the discolouration may appear on the arms and neck, or other areas of the body. Melasma can show up as tan, brown, greyish brown, or bluish grey patches or freckles.

Causes and Risk Factors

Melasma disproportionately affects more women than men. Those who are darker skinned are more at risk of melasma than those with fair skin. Often, it appears during pregnancy, earning it the nickname the “mask of pregnancy”. It can also be triggered by taking medication, such as birth control pills. Sun exposure, stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be causes.

Treating Melasma

For some people, melasma goes away after pregnancy once the baby is delivered, or when stopping a medication. However, it is a skin condition that can last for years, or even a lifetime. Though it is harmless, some people may prefer to minimise the appearance, and choose to take steps to treat it.

Healthcare professionals can prescribe creams or topical steroids to help lighten the affected areas, however there is no guarantee that the melasma won’t come back. In some cases, it will not be affected by treatment at all. Wearing at least SPF 30 everyday is one of the best ways to minimise the risk of melasma coming back. Wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face from the sun, and also using cover-up makeup are great day to day methods of living with melasma.

Melasma and Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a fantastic treatment option for melasma, as the exfoliation can help to remove the top, superficial layer of skin. Throughout multiple treatments, improvements will be progressive as the exfoliation reaches deeper layers of skin to help remove unwanted pigmentation.

What is SkinBase Microdermabrasion?

SkinBase Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive, cosmetic procedure that intensely exfoliates and resurfaces the skin. With the use of fine crystals and a vacuum action, the progressive treatment removes dirt, impurities and dead cells from the outer layer of skin. Though extremely popular as a facial treatment, microdermabrasion can be used across most areas of the body if they require exfoliation.

How Does it Work?

During a SkinBase Microdermabrasion treatment, a wand delivering a stream of abrasive crystals is passed over the skin. The crystals exfoliate the top layer of skin, unclogging pores and removing any impurities. The debris is removed by the vacuum, revealing the fresher skin underneath. The suction also stimulates blood flow and encourages the production of collagen and elastin.

As a course of treatment is completed, the Microdermabrasion process removes the top layer of skin week by week, and also stimulates skin cell renewal. This means the unwanted pigmentation is slowly brought to the surface of the skin, to slough away naturally each session. By the end of the treatment course, the appearance of the melasma should be improved considerably, if not gone.

Number of Treatments

The number of treatments required can vary greatly depending on the extent of the pigmentation. Also, as the pigmentation moves through the layers of the skin to the surface you may find that initially the pigmentation appears darker as it comes to the surface. This is completely normal. Also bare in mind, if the unwanted pigmentation is below the epidermis then unfortunately microdermabrasion won’t be able to help.

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Rebecca Willshee Nail and Beauty Specialist

Testimonial: “JC was so low, suicidal at points. Sore, red, angry, his skin was awful, we had tried everything and doctors you name it. We reached out to Becky, who was wonderful. My son was quiet and withdrawn, lacked confidence and self esteem, and locked himself away from the world. Becky booked us in for a consultation to discuss different options of treatments and we decided the new hydro treatment would be the best option. We started the course and JC was nervous but Becky was great with him talking him through everything, step by step! As we went each time JC’s skin got better and better, but also the difference in him was huge, he was gaining confidence, shoulders back, head held high. We have watched his skin change from this red, aggressive, angry skin that was sore, acne was debilitating to him but now he is confident, holds his head up high and has even got his first job! We are so proud. When we met Becky I felt confident she would help us get his skin better and back on track but what has actually happened is skin looks amazing but to see our son gain confidence has been the biggest win! Teens often get pushed aside, put on string meds and told “it’s just your age” but this isn’t what they want to hear, but The SkinBase treatments Becky has done has changed his life! We cannot thank you enough Becky! JC is continuing with the treatments as it still gets the odd breakouts but the scarring is still improving week in week out. The hydro Facial is just amazing and we cannot recommend it enough and of course Becky and her passion for skin and helping people is wonderful!”