Melasma is a common skin condition that affects millions of people around the world. While melasma isn’t usually considered a health concern, it can negatively impact your confidence and self-esteem.

If the presence of melasma is affecting your confidence or self-esteem, it’s important to bring this up with your healthcare provider. There are several non-invasive treatments available that can help to manage the signs of melasma and get back to feeling your best.

Vively Body Science is a physician-owned and operated aesthetic medical clinic offering safe, advanced, and effective wellness treatments. Whether you’re looking to lift, tighten, smooth, clear, or contour your appearance, we have the technology and expertise to help you reach nearly any aesthetic goal.

Co-founders Dr. Laurel Martini and Dr. Joshua Martini oversee every treatment in our practice. When you’re at Vively Body Science, you’ll feel confident and comfortable under the care of our experienced providers.

In this blog, our skincare specialists are sharing more about melasma, what causes it, and the best options for melasma treatment in Minneapolis.

What Is Melasma?

There are several skin conditions that can be mistaken for melasma, so first, let’s go over what melasma is and what it looks like.

Understanding Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition that causes areas of gray or brown pigment on the skin. These usually appear on the face, most commonly on the:

Cheeks
Forehead
Across the nose
Chin
Upper lip
Jaw line

Melasma can also occur on other parts of the body, too, but it is much less common. When it does happen, it is usually in areas that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the neck, forearms, shoulders, or upper chest.

Causes of Melasma

What triggers melasma? Unfortunately, there’s not a definitive answer. We know that people with this condition have active melanocytes (the cells that give skin color), but researchers aren’t sure what causes them to become more active in some people than others.

We do know that some people are at a greater risk of developing melasma. These include individuals who:

Are female
Are pregnant
Are between the ages of 20 and 40
Have darker skin tones
Have a family history of melasma

Other external factors associated with melasma include:

UV Exposure

When you spend time in the sun, the UV radiation stimulates the production of melanin in your body. Melanin gives our skin and hair color, but when our bodies produce it in excess, it can cause dark patches on our skin.

For individuals who are predisposed to melasma, sunlight (or UV rays from tanning beds) can trigger patches to appear or make already existing patches darker.

Medications

Certain antibiotics, birth control, and seizure medications have been associated with the development of melasma. In some cases, melasma will go away on its own after stopping these medications.

Treating Melasma

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to treat melasma, but there are several treatments that can help minimize, the signs of it. The mindset is not to cure, but manage, and the way to do this can be different from person to person. To find the right melasma treatment in Minneapolis for your needs, it’s important to start with a skin consultation.

At Vively Body Science, we start every new patient appointment with a consultation to get to know you and the unique needs of your skin. Based on your goals and the results of your evaluation, we may suggest any of the following melasma treatments:

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a common treatment for melasma. These peels use a gentle solution of chemical agents that stick to dead skin cells and peel off the outermost layer of skin. This can help reduce the appearance of melasma patches and even out your overall skin tone.

Chemical peels also allow products to sink deeper into the skin. Using pigment controlling skincare after a chemical peel can enhance the effect of these treatments.

What Chemical Peels Can Treat

There are several types of chemical peels, and each is designed for different skin types and concerns. Along with melasma, chemical peels can also be used to treat:

Uneven complexion
Fine lines and wrinkles
Acne and acne scars
Dry skin
Uneven skin texture
Dull skin
Scarring
Uneven pigmentation
Enlarged pores

What to Expect From Your Chemical Peel Treatment

Chemical peels are a relatively painless treatment. You can sit back and relax as we apply the solution to your skin. There may be some warmth and tingling sensations throughout the application. Depending on the type of peel you receive, we may neutralize it and wash it off during your treatment, or you might leave the solution on for an extended period of time and wash it off at home.

The downtime for chemical peels will vary depending on the type of peel you receive. Some of the lighter peels have minimal to no downtime, while some of the medium, more corrective-based peels may require up to a week of recovery time.

At your consultation, we’ll help you determine which chemical peel is right for you and ensure that you have proper expectations for downtime and recovery.

MOXI

MOXI is a customized laser treatment that offers powerful results, but it is very gentle on the skin. It works by delivering heat into the deep layers of skin to break down excessive pigment without damaging the skin’s surface.

In addition to breaking up pigment, it also encourages the growth of new, healthy skin cells. This can help to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of melasma spots.

What MOXI Can Treat

While we often use MOXI as a melasma treatment in Minneapolis, it can treat a variety of other skin concerns, including:

Dark spots
Sun damage
Uneven skin tone and texture
Fine lines and wrinkles

What to Expect From Your MOXI Treatment

Depending on the treatment area, and after numbing, MOXI takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete. During your treatment, one of our experienced providers will select the appropriate setting for your skin type and concerns, then use the mJoule MOXI handpiece to precicely deliver the laser energy to your skin. You may experience sensations of heat as the laser works..

After your MOXI treatment, you’ll want to avoid wearing makeup for 24 hours. During this time, your skin may be red and possibly swollen, but this typically subsides within a few days. It’s best to avoid direct sun exposure for the week after your treatment.

Microneedling With PRP

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a type of regenerative aesthetic treatment that uses the power of your body’s own platelets to promote skin health. We can deliver PRP in several different modalities, but using PRP with microneedling can be a great way to reduce the appearance of melasma.

PRP microneedling encourages a faster rate of cell turnover for damaged or pigmented skin cells that contribute to patches of dark skin. PRP may also help regulate melanin production, resulting in reduced dark spots over time.

What PRP Microneedling Can Treat

In addition to using PRP microneedling as a melasma treatment in Minneapolis, it can also correct:

Scars
Uneven skin tone
Fine lines and wrinkles
Sun damage
Hyperpigmentation
Enlarged pores
Stretch marks

What to Expect From Your Microneedling Treatment

First, we’ll ensure that your skin is clean and apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment area. Then, we will use a microneedling device called Exceed to create micro-injuries in the skin with small needles to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Using PRP derived from your own blood, we apply it directly to the treatment area.

After your treatment, it’s normal to experience minor redness and swelling as your skin heals. You’ll want to avoid wearing makeup and avoid direct sunlight in the days after your treatment. You can expect to see visible results after about 2 to 3 weeks, but optimal results will appear in the 2 to 3 months after treatment.

Pigment Controlling Skincare

If you have melasma, your skincare routine is extremely important. Pigment controlling skincare products can improve the appearance of melasma and help maintain your results between in-clinic treatments.

Our top recommendation for pigment controlling skincare is the Environ Mela-Even line, which includes:

Mela-Prep Lotion
Mela-Fade Serum System
Intense-C Boost Mela-Even Creme

Ready to level up your skincare routine? We can help! Schedule a skin consultation, where you’ll sit down with one of our skincare experts to evaluate your skin and help you choose the best products for your skin.

Visit Vively Body Science to Find Your Perfect Melasma Treatment in Minneapolis

If you’re ready to improve your health and wellness, Vively Body Science is here to help. Whether you are looking for the best treatments for melasma, medical weight loss, or body contouring, our experienced team can help you achieve your goals.

You deserve to look and feel your best. We are more than a med spa in Wayzata—we are a physician-owned and operated wellness clinic that cares for your whole health. Our treatments are designed to help you feel confident and radiant at every stage of life.

Schedule an appointment to get started, or use our free virtual consultation tool for treatment recommendations sent right to your phone!

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