Prescription Skincare for Melasma: Online Care in Canada

Melasma causes brown or grey brown patches, usually on both sides of the face. It is more common in women and often starts between ages 20 and 40. Sun and visible light, hormones and genetics can all play a part. Pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives and hormone therapy are triggers for some women.

Melasma is a long term condition. It responds slowly to treatment and can come back. This guide explains how clinicians choose a plan and what online care can do.

Melasma treatment options

Melasma treatment is not one formula for everyone. The plan depends on the type of melasma, your skin type, your triggers and your health history. A clinician first confirms the diagnosis, because other conditions can look like melasma, such as dark marks after acne or sun spots.

Common parts of a melasma plan include:

• Daily sun protection. This is the base of every plan. DermNet recommends a broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen with iron oxides, which help block visible light, plus a wide brimmed hat.

• Prescription creams. Most people apply a prescribed medication to the skin at home. A clinician chooses the ingredients and the strength for your skin, and some plans combine several active ingredients.

• Oral treatment. For melasma that is very hard to treat, a dermatologist can add a medication that you take by mouth.

• Procedures, such as chemical peels, microneedling, laser or light treatments. These can make melasma worse in some people, so an expert must do them.

• Trigger changes. If a hormonal contraceptive is a trigger, your clinician can discuss other options. Makeup can also cover the patches.

Results take time. With a treatment plan, results usually take 3 to 12 months, and longer if you have had melasma for a long time. Melasma can come back, especially with summer sun, so sun protection must continue.

Seeking online care for melasma

With Jill Health, you complete a medical intake form and upload a few clear photos of your skin without makeup. A licensed clinician reviews your profile and diagnoses your skin concerns. If a prescription is suitable for you, the clinician makes a custom plan for dark spots and uneven tone, and the treatment ships to your home. Your clinician checks your progress and can change the formula. Learn more about Jill Health prescription skincare.

An online assessment can check whether your pattern looks like melasma, find possible triggers and choose a treatment plan. But photos are not enough in every case. In Ontario, the doctor must decide that virtual care is appropriate and arrange an in person assessment when an exam is necessary. Some tests, such as a Wood lamp exam, a dermatoscope exam or a biopsy, need an in person visit.

Questions to ask a clinician about melasma:

• Is this melasma or another type of dark mark?

• What are my triggers, and how can I reduce them?

• What sun protection do I need every day?

• Which treatment is suitable for my skin type and health history, and what are the risks?

• Is the treatment safe if I am pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant?

• How long until I can see a change, and how will we check my progress?

• What does the price include?

See a healthcare professional in person if a dark spot changes in size, shape or colour, bleeds or itches.

To start an assessment, visit Jill Health prescription skincare.

Sources

• DermNet: Melasma

• American Academy of Dermatology: Melasma treatment

• CPSO: What to expect when receiving virtual care