Your Oral Medication for Melasma

Do you suffer from patchy pigmentation on your cheeks or forehead? Have you tried many whitening products, lasers and even chemical peels without significant improvement? If you do, you may benefit from a skin pigmentation treatment in Singapore which has been shown to help with your pigmentation problem.

What is Melasma?

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or greyish-brown patches, usually on areas exposed to the sun – most often the cheeks, forehead, nose, upper lip, and chin.

Melasma is more common in women, especially those with medium to darker skin tones, and often develops during periods of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, or hormone therapy. 

Common Causes and Triggers of Melasma

Melasma occurs when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, become overactive and produce too much melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour).

When your skin is exposed to sunlight, heat, or hormonal changes, your skin cells (called keratinocytes) send signals that trigger melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) to make more pigment. Over time, these signals become too active, leading to dark patches on the skin.

Other changes happen too:

• More blood vessels form in the area, which can fuel more pigmentation.

• Mast cells, part of your immune system, release substances that increase inflammation and pigment.

• Oil glands (sebaceous glands) may also play a role by reacting to hormones and heat.

• The skin’s foundation layer (basement membrane) can become damaged, letting pigment sink deeper and making melasma harder to treat.

So even though melasma looks like just dark patches, it’s actually a mix of pigmentation, inflammation, hormonal activity, and structural skin changes. Other factors that trigger melasma include genetics, skincare products and stress. 

How Melasma Manifests: Symptoms and Affected Areas

Melasma usually presents as symmetrical, brownish patches on sun-exposed areas of the skin. The most affected regions include the:

• Cheeks
• Forehead
• Nose bridge
• Upper lip

In some cases, melasma can also affect the neck and forearms. The skin pigmentation is not raised or inflamed but can vary in intensity and may darken over time without proper treatment or protection from sun exposure.

Oral Medication Used for Melasma

Over-the-counter whitening products used to lighten pigmentation show limited results on Melasma, and topical medications and medical laser treatments on their own can sometimes produce marginal improvements. Melasma is also challenging to treat as it tends to recur with time and sun exposure.

Fortunately, researchers at Singapore’s National Skin Centre found that the Oral Medication for Pigmentation, used in treating heavy menstrual periods, showed significant lightening of Melasma in over 90 per cent of patients it studied.

How Oral Medications Work to Treat Melasma

Oral Medication for Pigmentation is proposed to reduce pigmentation by inhibiting UV-induced melanocyte (cells that produce melanin) activation. Oral Medication for Pigmentation can also stabilise the blood vessels and reduce skin inflammation, a contributing factor in melasma.

Side effects are minimal with the medication, it is generally suitable for those in good health. Contraindications include those with a personal/family history of blood disorders, pregnant women, and ladies on oral contraceptive pills.

Comparing Oral Treatments to Topical Solutions

When deciding between Oral Medication for Pigmentation and topical treatments for pigmentation, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each.

• Topical treatments such as Depigmentation Cream, Acne Cream, and corticosteroids act directly on the skin to inhibit melanin production and promote exfoliation. These solutions are usually applied daily and can take several weeks or months to show results. They are ideal for mild to moderate cases of melasma but may be less effective for deep pigmentation or resistant cases.
• Oral medication targets pigmentation from within. It offers an alternative for those who have not seen improvement with topical solutions or who suffer from more severe melasma. Oral medication is convenient and can offer faster, more noticeable results, though it requires medical supervision.

What are Other Treatments for Melasma?

Besides oral and topical medications, several other treatments can be effective in managing melasma, including:

• Chemical peels: Exfoliating the skin to remove pigmented cells.
• Laser treatment: Targeting pigment with light energy to break it down.
• Radiofrequency Microneedling: Repair of the dermal-epidermal junction and reducing inflammation that triggers hyperpigmentation. Stimulating collagen production to improve skin texture and tone.
• Sun protection: The most essential step in preventing melasma is diligent sun protection with broad-spectrum sunscreens.

Do you suffer from patchy pigmentation and want to know if you’ll benefit from this treatment? Speak to any of our doctors at SL Aesthetic Clinic and we’ll be happy to advise on the pigmentation removal treatments most suited for you.