What Causes Melasma?

Melasma is a skin concern similar to hyperpigmentation because it looks like dark patches of skin. These splotchy patches that are darker than the surrounding skin tend to appear on the face. They can be dark brown or gray-brown. For women of color, due to their levels of melanin, melasma can be more visible and harder to avoid as we age, making it a frustrating cosmetic concern. 

At Charette Cosmetics, we understand our patients' specific needs, wanting to understand what causes melasma and how to ease it. We offer various transformative treatment options to help patients regain their confidence and put their best face forward daily.

Who Gets Melasma?

Melasma is more common in women due to fluctuating hormones. Only 10% of males are reported to experience melasma. For women, melasma tends to be triggered by things like pregnancy and menopause because of the shift in estrogen and progesterone, the hormones most commonly associated with melasma. 

Since birth control pills impact hormones, they can also be responsible for causing melasma, as well as other forms of hormone therapy and some medications. A thyroid disorder or vitamin deficiency (B12) can also be responsible for hyperpigmentation.

For women with gorgeous darker skin tones, from light brown to dark brown, due to the levels of melanin in their skin, they can be predisposed to melasma. This is one reason women of color have to be extra careful in the sun and always wear sunscreen. Sun exposure over time can cause melasma due to the sun's harsh UV rays.

Where does melasma tend to appear?

Melasma tends to appear on specific areas of the face and can also appear on the body: 

• Bridge of the nose
• Forehead
• Cheeks
• Upper lip
• Chin
• Forearms
• Neck
• Shoulders

What is the Mask of Pregnancy?

A specific type of melasma associated with pregnancy and hyperpigmentation is referred to as the "mask of pregnancy." While the exact reasons for it are unknown, it is believed to be triggered by a steep rise in estrogen and progesterone levels that stimulate excess melanin production. The "mask of pregnancy" tends to appear during the second or third trimester.

In this case, hyperpigmentation is most visible on the skin around your eyes, nose, and cheeks, so it has a mask-like effect. However, many women do not experience melasma during pregnancy; some only experience very mild melasma. Most cases of melasma during pregnancy fade after pregnancy or breastfeeding when hormones level off.

How Do You Treat Melasma?

One of the things that is so frustrating about hyperpigmentation from melasma is there is no quick fix. Plus, there are many products on the market touted for easing hyperpigmentation that do not deliver results. At Charette Cosmetics, we help women from around the world who have tried everything rediscover the youthful, fresh skin tone they desire.

Thanks to extensive research and testing, our products effectively treat melasma for everyone and every skin type and color, from Asian to African to Latino to Pacific Islander. We use ingredients like hydroquinone for proven results. Hydroquinone is unmatched when it comes to targeting melasma and discoloration—concerns our patients of color deal with the most.

Hydroquinone is a topical "skin-lightening" that inhibits or temporarily slows the production of melanin pigment in the skin. By decreasing the melanin, skin tone will appear to be more even. Using our safe, proprietary protocol and custom formulation, we see proven results that treat and clear melasma in patients of all skin tones.

Skincare products that ease the causes of melasma

An ideal option for easing the look of melasma is using the Pigmentation Pack designed by Charette Cosmetics as part of your daily skincare routine. 

The Pigmentation Pack features six products specifically formulated for hyperpigmented skin concerns. It is highly effective yet gentle and safe enough to be used as part of your daytime and nighttime regimen. From morning until nighttime, these products work together to give you a more even, brighter complexion that eases and smooths the look of dark spots caused by melasma.

$325 | Pigmentation Pack | 6-piece set

Illuminate + Purify Exfoliating Cleanser

With a combination of 2% Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Illuminate + Purify Cleanser aids in unclogging pores, opening clogged pores and removing surface oils. The ingredients in this gentle, exfoliating cleanser give you smoother skin and help to strengthen your skin's natural barrier. 

Activate + Tone Antioxidant Mist

With natural extracts like cucumber, rosemary, and melon, Active + Tone Antioxidant Mist helps to improve your skin's complexion, reduces puffiness and swelling, and calms the skin with its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Nourish + Soften Moisturizer

Charette Cosmetics created Nourish + Soften Moisturizing Lotion to be used morning and night, giving your face the hydration and protection it needs in a lightweight formula that feels soft and clean. 

Perfect + Preserve Sheer SPF 50

Since sun exposure is something that causes melasma, protecting your face from the sun's harsh UV rays is an imperative part of easing it. Protect + Preserve is a lightweight, gentle sunscreen with SPF 50 for superior protection and supple, smooth skin. It helps to visibly brighten areas of blemishes and discoloration.

Brighten + Enlighten Prescription Pads

Brighten + Enlighten Prescription Pads are formulated to correct uneven skin tone and ease visible discoloration due to melasma. The natural ingredients protect against free radicals, giving your skin a healthy barrier for optimal protection. 

Rejuvenate + Reverse Retinol Serum

Retinol has been touted for years as an anti-aging skincare product. It eases the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Rejuvenate + Reverse Retinol Serum is formulated with an advanced encapsulated retinol that replenishes your skin, improves discoloration, and protects against moisture loss.

MelanX Level II Chemical Peel

Charette Cosmetics offers a signature, prescription-strength MelanX Level II Chemical Peel (retail price $850) that is a complete at-home, skin-lightening system. It is ideal for treating melasma because it targets the main cause—melanin production. 

The chemical peel technique speeds up the body's natural process of sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal fresh, new skin. Safely using hydroquinone, this medical-grade peel lightens and lifts unwanted dark spots caused by melasma and evens out skin tone. 

The guidelines for this chemical peel have been designed so patients can do it safely at home with the help of Charette's trained, licensed medical professionals to ensure optimal results. After purchasing the product, you will be guided virtually through an evaluation to make sure this product is ideal for your skin type and hyperpigmentation goals. The MelanX peel is a process, so patients are advised to have time post-procedure for healing and recovery. The results are stunning!

Why Choose Charette Cosmetics for Melasma 

Charette Cosmetics brings a whole new approach to the world of cosmetic treatments including products designed to ease the appearance of melasma. Our medical-grade skincare products work to protect and treat your skin, revealing the most beautiful version of yourself. For your convenience, we offer Shop Pay and Google Pay. Shop our lineup of natural products online or connect with us on socials to see amazing skin transformations from real customers.