What is melasma?
What is melasma?
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition that causes gray and or brown patches and spots, usually on the face and neck and is usually darker than your skin tone.
It's different from post blemish marks, sun spots and age spots
Melasma versus Sunspots
No, they are not the same. While the both appear as darker patches on the skin, melasma is different as it is not just sun related but melasma has been researched extensively and has been found to be related to hormonal changes in the body.
BUT, UV rays make both worse so ...wear a mineral sunscreen daily for protection!
How does Melasma start?
Melasma begins in a number of ways including genetic influences, exposure to UV radiation, pregnancy, hormonal changes,or even the use of photosensitizing drugs or cosmetics.
As women, we already have so much to deal with and this can surely be frustrating. If you are experiencing the discoloration caused by melasma, it's best to seek medical assistance, get professional treatments done and also make sure that you are using the right skincare products in your at-home skincare routine.
Where does Melasma appear on the skin?
It’s an incredibly common skin problem. You can recognize it by its patchy brown, blue-gray, or tan blemishes on the skin. These spots usually appear on the forehead, cheeks, bridge of the nose, chin, and above the upper lip. They can also appear on the body, particularly in areas that get lots of sun.
Ultraviolet light stimulates the melanocytes and it actually doesn’t take strong or lengthy UV exposure to cause melasma, which is why your sunscreen is so very important!
The best sunscreen for melasma is a 100% mineral sunscreen. So yes, wear your sunscreen and also be selective with it too. The minimum should be SPF 30 and mineral.
Do not use untested SPFs or DIY solutions like Shea Butter and Carrot Oil especially if you are prone to melasma or hyperpigmentation
Does Melasma burn or itch?
Melasma on its own does not itch or burn. If you have melasma and are experiencing itching or burning, this may mean that you need to examine what products you are using on your face.
Some products can result in this inflammatory response of itching and burning. If this happens....stop what you are using immediately as the key to managing melasma is keeping your skin calm and happy.
A gentle hydrating skincare routine is necessary
Here's our secret weapon in the fight against hyperpigmentation and discoloration caused by Melasma. Our Luminate Glow and Recovery Serum is lightweight and non-greasy or sticky.
Ten amazing ingredients included are:
- Alpha Arbutin
- Licorice Root
- Lactic Acid
- Ascorbyl Glucoside
- Lemon Extract
- Azelaic Acid
- Ferulic Acid
- Niacinamide
- Billberry Extract
How to Manage Melasma?
Use TYROSINASE INHIBITORS consistently.
Tyrosinase is responsible for melanin production. With melasma, there is excessive melanin production in the skin so you need to curb this. How? With inhibitors.
Not all tyrosinase inhibitors are safe for consistent use e.g. Hydroquinone. It's effective no doubt...but not safe for consistent use.
Our Luminate Glow and Recovery Serum has multiple SAFE tyrosinase inhibitors inside to help keep the discoloration at bay
Next, mind your hormones. We've already discussed that Melasma is mostly hormonal and can also be genetic.
Melasma can come on or get worst during pregnancy and menopause. If you are not pregnant or going through menopause then read on.
Also, take a look at your lifestyle. Did you recently change, start or stop birth control? If you've answered yes to these and you are suddenly experiencing melasma or worsened melasma....it's time to visit your GYNO for a check-up and maybe a new birth control plan.
The things we women have to go through....
It's good to use skin brighteners & tyrosinase inhibitors to treat melasma...but there are a few tips beyond spf and skin brightening.
Always use gentle, hydrating, ph balanced skincare products in your routine.
Understand this...with melasma you need to do everything you can to keep your skin CALM. How do you do this? By avoiding irritating products or ingredients in your routine.
There is also a difference between moisturizing products and hydrating products which is why we're being so specific.
Need hydration skincare? We've got you! Our hydration kit includes gentle, ph balanced cleanser, toner, moisturizer and exfoliator which should be paired with our Luminate Glow and Recovery Serum for better results!
Melasma and Diet
Let's talk inside out. Managing melasma takes some work apart from consistently using the right at home skincare products.
Your diet can also affect your skin. Research shows that following a low glycemic diet rich in antioxidants can help.
Why does my Melasma return?
Due to the fact that melasma has underlying causes like genetics and hormones, its difficult to avoid the return of the discoloration even after professional peels and treatments.
Melasma is further triggered by UV light and visible light which is literally a part of everyday life....so what can you do?
- Use a mineral sunscreen every single day even when indoors.
- Consistently use tyrosinase inhibitors in your skincare routine.
- Keep your skin extremely hydrated and calm by using a gentle and nourishing skincare regimen
Melasma cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for melasma at the moment. Melasma is mostly hormonal and comes on during pregnancy or menopause so it can go away after pregnancy etc. The good news, it can be managed. Balancing your hormones through proper diet and stress management can lead to less evident discoloration on the skin.
If the discoloration does persist, there are topical or professional treatments that can be done to reduce the appearance on the skin.
Let's talk about at home treatments: Our Luminate Glow and Recovery Serum contains ten skin lighteners and is designed to target the discoloration on the face caused by melasma. It's important to use tyrosinase inhibitors daily to prevent and correct the discoloration. Some say, it's best to use a cocktail of tyrosinase inhibitors at a time for best results. With our Luminate Glow and Recovery Serum, you do not need to try to figure out the percentages of different acids to use and the correct steps to layer them for best results. We've done all the hard work for you so that you can apply one easy step!
Our Luminate Glow and Recovery Serum continues to be a customer favorite. This serum contains TEN skin lighteners/ Tyrosinase Inhibitors to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and treat discoloration caused by Melasma.
Imagine if you were to buy 10 different serums with the actives included in this serum. What would the cost be for each? What would the cost be for all ten together? Would you then know how to properly layer these acids/ actives? Would you know what percentages to look for in each? Do you know which is stable and unstable and how they interact with each other?
If yes, then go right ahead! BUT, we have done the work for you. We have the correct percentages of each expertly curated and blended together for maximum effect and at a fraction of the cost if you were to buy 2 vitamin C serums, 1 niacinamide serum, 1 alpha arbutin serum, and so on...
Take the guesswork out of treating your melasma and hyperpigmentation with our Luminate Glow and Recovery Serum.
We've placed considerable effort on decreasing melanin production as hyperpigmentation is the major clinical manifestation of melasma. The decrease of melanin production was focused on inhibiting the exacerbated activity of melanocytes and the dispersion of melanin granules. Whilst current strategies to decrease melanin can improve skin pigment to some extent, our Luminate Glow, and Recovery Serum contains natural ingredients that directly target melasma to achieve long term results once maintained with an effective hydration routine.
This serum’s ability to improve melasma is attributed mainly to natural ingredients, such as Camellia, a green tea extract. Studies have demonstrated that green tea extract inhibits tyrosinase activity and the proliferation of melanocytes. In addition, Camellia is a potent antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory benefits that helps prevent collagen breakdown and reduce UV damage. Both the antioxidant and inhibition properties of camellia can contribute to improvements in pigmentation in melasma following the Serum’s use.
Melasma? Severe Hyperpigmentation? No problem...we got you!
Melasma and Pregnancy
During pregnancy, it's very common to develop melasma on the cheeks due to the hormonal changes. Melasma during pregnancy is also called "chloasma".
If you develop melasma during pregnancy, this will usually go away on it's own after pregnancy
In rare instances, melasma does not go away after pregnancy.
If after pregnancy, your melasma does not go away and you need the assistance to help your skin return to its beautiful, even tone to help you look and feel like yourself again....then we're here for you.