Cleveland Melasma Treatment | Facial Plastic Surgeon

Melasma treatment options in Cleveland, Ohio

An estimated five million Americans, more commonly women, will develop melasma. Brown or gray-brown patches of melasma are a form of hyperpigmentation appearing most often on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin in blotchy patches. Melasma most often occurs in tandem with hormonal changes, like pregnancy or birth control pills, as well as from sun exposure. Melasma is referred to as ‘the mask of pregnancy’ and this form will often resolve on its own after hormones restabilize.

Melasma is more common in those with a darker skin type. When the skin naturally has more active pigment-producing cells, they can become hyperactive and produce too much pigment. This is similar to how brown age spots and freckles develop, but melasma patches tend to be larger, distracting from the overall tone and health of the skin.

Treatments for melasma only work if you remove the triggers as well. Even oral treatments that now exist for severe cases of melasma do little if there are still triggers in place, like sun exposure with unprotected skin.

Can I prevent melasma?


The best way to prevent melasma from forming or returning is sun protection. Sunscreen is the most essential factor in lasting melasma treatment. Choose a non-chemical, blocking sunscreen with zinc and titanium dioxide to stop all the light and different wavelengths from reaching your skin. Chemical sunscreens, with oxybenzone, do not offer the same protection for melasma and may even trigger allergic reactions that can make it worse.

Is there a permanent treatment for melasma?


Because it is so common, many melasma treatments overpromise and underdeliver, and more than a few are unsafe. Oral or injected glutathione products can cause potentially dangerous thyroid and kidney problems. Safe topical options like topical retinols and retinoid treatments can be applied to the skin to speed your body’s natural cell turnover process. Hydroquinone, another typical treatment, works by blocking melanin production. There various hydroquinone products available, but they should only be used under a doctor’s care. Kojic acid and azelaic acid are other topical skin lightening agents that can improve melasma

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Additional Melasma treatment information

Since the process for treating melasma is essentially creating a mass turnover of cells, procedures that create a rapid cell turnover are effective treatments. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, laser treatment, or lasers often provide more rapid results than a topic treatment.

What Our Patients Say

  • The office was nice. Receptionist was very polite. Dr. Ponsky was great. The experience was comfortable and she explained everything to me before doing anything. She made sure I understood. Thank you Dr. Ponsky!

    - YM( Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgery )
  • I have always been apprehensive of ANY cosmetic procedures. Not any more! Dr Ponsky and her entire staff are friendly, professional and reassuring. Dr Ponsky is gentle, thorough, professional, talented, knows medicine and her craft. I can’t recommend this entire practice more. It is a gift that we have her in Cleveland.

    - SA( Cosmetic Surgery, Cleveland )
  • I can’t be happier with the results of my Rhinoplasty on both aspects functionally and aesthetically, Dr. Ponsky did such a great job, before, during, and after surgery, she is on top of everything and follow her patients very carefully after surgery to ensure complete healing and great results. Thank you Dr. Ponsky and her staff from the bottom of my heart🙏🙏

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    - A( Rhinoplasty, Cleveland )
  • I have nothing but positive to say about Dr. Ponsky and her entire staff! The first time I came in for a appointment I felt a welcoming and warm energy from the entire group . Dr. Ponsky’s assistant Jaime is fabulous and I love how she can answer all my questions if I don’t understand all!!
    Thank you everyone !!!

    - DB( )
  • Dr Ponsky’s staff are full of energy and very friendly. They are extremely personable, and worked to ensure that I felt comfortable and had everything I needed (down to a blanket during the procedure). Dr Ponsky is thorough, sweet, and gentle in her explanations. She made sure to explain the answers to each of my questions and I never felt rushed/forced to make a decision. I love the fact that we could do the entire procedure under local anesthesia.

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    - EE( Blepharoplasty, Cleveland )