What is Melasma?
Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that displays as light to mid-brown patches on the face. Melasma forms when colour-making skin cells called melanocytes produce too much colour.
The causes of melasma can vary, however, melasma is often connected to a change in hormones (such as pregnancy or the contraceptive pill) or excessive sun exposure. This is the most common melasma derivative we treat.
Why is microneedling good for Melasma?
Microneedling is an electronic pen with 12 needles that pierce the skin to break the blood vessels just below the surface of the skin. Breaking the blood vessels encourages increased blood flow to the wound area, hence prompting your body to produce collagen. It is this new collagen that the body needs to produce to break up the melasma.
Microneedling for pigmentation issues such as melasma often needs to be carried out using a specific technique to ensure effective collagen production. Some techniques may cause adverse effects, leading the body to produce more pigmentation.
Our go-to technique to help rid melasma and other forms of pigmentation is the stamping technique. This technique is used for a cleaner insertion of microneedles to achieve a less compromised skin barrier and epidermis. This allows the body to focus less time on calming the inflammation and allows the body to directly tackle your skin concern. This technique works extremely well for treating melasma and other pigmentations however it is also hugely beneficial to treat acne scars too.
Our microneedling device is used in an up-and-down stamping motion across the face (as opposed to dragging or gliding) to allow for maximum control. This does not make any difference to how comfortable the client feels throughout the treatment or the cost of the treatment. This is a method that is preferential to us to ensure excellent results.
Microneedling using a different technique may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in some clients. The stamping technique mitigates that risk, allowing the needling to be targeted and therefore more effective.
How do I book for microneedling?
To book in for microneedling, please book a skin consultation and patch test using our online booking system. We will need to check your skin’s suitability to microneedling and also check for allergies to our numbing cream in order to proceed.
Our client pictured above had multiple sessions of Microneedling using the stamping technique to rid her pigmentation. We recommend a course of 3 sessions to lessen and rid pigmentation.