Dr Barbara Kubicka provided expert advice for an informative feature in Harper’s Bazaar on the difficult skin pigmentation condition known as melasma:
“#SkinSchool: Melasma causes and treatments
How to treat melasma and prevent the common skin pigmentation disorder worsening”
The article explains the troublesome appearance of melasma:
- Also known as ‘pregnancy mask’ or ‘sun moustache’
- Patches of pigmentation are medically harmless, but aesthetically difficult
- Symptoms include uneven skin tone and patchy hyperpigmentation (darker areas)
- Common sites are cheekbones, forehead and upper lip
- Sun exposure is a major factor
Dr Barbara Kubicka explained that melasma can be more common in darker skin tones, because of sun exposure as well as genetic predisposition:
“As darker skin contains more pigment (or more active pigment), issues including melasma can be more common, but those with darker skin types very rarely use sun protection, believing that as their skin doesn’t burn they don’t need to use it.”
Treatments for Melasma
Harper’s Bazaar listed a number of treatment options:
Sun protection
Skincare regime including high quality sunscreen to protect the skin from further damage
Skincare
Cosmeceutical skincare products with intensive levels of ingredients to tackle pigmentation, but these should be used with care as Dr Kubicka explains:
“Hydroquinone used for a long time especially on darker skin types can lead to greyish appearance of the skin called ochronosis.
“Skin product with azelaic acid, kojic acid, arbutin can be used on all skin types, but they might not be effective for the active stage of melasma.”
Peels & Laser
These can be effective but also can cause further problems with misuse.
Dr Kubicka says that the right type of combination peel is effective yet safe for all skin types, but laser treatments can be a different story.
“IPL and most lasers sometimes used for resistant forms of melasma are contraindicated for those with darker skin types because of risk of burns or hyperpigmentation being very high.”
Read this article in full
To read more, please visit https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a24109674/melasma-causes-treatments/
Clinicbe Skin of Colour
Clinicbe Skin of Colour is a specialist clinic based in Knightsbridge, London – easily accessible from Chelsea, Belgravia, Mayfair and Kensington.
See website at www.clinicbeskinofcolour.com.
Skin Treatments, London
Clinicbe® in London was founded by experienced Aesthetic Physician Dr Barbara Kubicka MD, CIME/ICAM, MBCAM; a renowned Aesthetic Physician based in West London.
Dr Kubicka takes a holistic approach to skincare treatments; treating the patient as a whole in order to get the best possible results from any treatments they may have.
Clinicbe has a comprehensive range of skin treatments including cosmetology facials, BOTOX and dermal filler injections and the latest treatments such as pain-free mesotherapy and PRP fillers. The clinic is based in the Knightsbridge area, easily accessible from and popular with those living or working in Chelsea and Mayfair.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please contact us on 0207 125 0521 or email info@clinicbe.com.
