Does a sauna make melasma pigmentation worse?

Thank you for your question, Melasma needs a combination approach to get the best improvement and will need a series of treatments. In our practice, we combine Clear + Brilliant, peels, microneedling/PRP, Aerolase, and sometimes Erbium (Cool Laser) to get the best results. See an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer

Heat my worsen melasma. Start with Melarase creams followed by Clear and Brilliant laser and low dose Limelight to reduce the pigmentation and keep it away. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

I agree that heat may flare the hyperpigmentation of melasma.A multimodality approach to melasma is key to successful reduction in hyperpigmentation and ongoing maintenance. You would need an in person examination but Melasma can be treated with a comprehensive approach.  Before you spend $$$$ on IPL and laser therapy or peels, you should avoid sun exposure with wide spectrum high SPF sun block and Spectrase is a great product for this. Consideration should be given to stopping birth control pills. As well, topical creams that are non hydroquinone based. Sclerovase. Melarase AM and Melarase PM are hydroquinone based products that relieve melasma pigmentation. I have been shown to be very effective in our practice.

Heat can worsen or flare melasma so in theory a sauna could worsen melasma. Triggers are different for each individual so it is best to make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist for further discussion and evaluation in the best treatment of melasma. Good luck!

This is a great question!  Melasma can be a challenge to treat, because there are a variety of triggers that can make it worse.  In general, almost all patients are sensitive to direct sun exposure and hormonal triggers (pregnancy, oral contraceptives, in-vitro fertilization).  That said, we are learning more and more about new triggers for melasma.  I find that some patients are sensitive to heat (as one would encounter in saunas), indirect sun-exposure (sun on the arms and hands triggering melasma despite good sun protection on the face), exercise, and even diet.  It certainly is possible that you are sensitive to the heat from saunas, and that this may be making your melasma worse - it's impossible to say without examining you personally.  I would recommend that you consult with a cosmetic dermatologist to discuss your concerns.  Best of luck!    

Triggers lie in the UVB, UVA, and visible light, heat is in the IR spectrum, so no, I would be more concerned over the most amount of heat you receive- that is ambient UV rays. Melasma can not be completely cured, however effective treatment are possible. This is because your skin is extremely sensitive to UV and even the smallest amount can stimulate your pigment cells to produce colour. The mainstay of treatment is strict UV protection- hats, sunglasses and SPF every 4 hours.

I prefer to use a combination of creams and laser for melasma. Hydroquinone can be used (5-8%), along with vitamin A creams. I usually start my patients on laser (low dose Q switch or Picosure) a few weeks after they commence on creams. Another laser I use is the Clear and Brilliant in the Permea setting combined with creams.

In some cases I combine glycolic AHA peels, and in other cases I use a tablet called Tranexamic acid to help. Melasma treatments should be tailored to each patient.

All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist. Brisbane, Australia 

however being in the sun without good protection will make your melasma worse.if you want to get a great new treatment for melasma, you should try and find a Picosure laser.this is a revolutionary laser because it can aggressively treat without causing the redness that the CO2, IPL, Fraxel lasers all do.david berman md