Melasma
Patchy brown discoloration on the skin.
Full Answer
Is dot the best laser for melasma?
Laser treatments can be an effective treatment for melasma with one 2017 research review showing that the Q-Switch laser is the most effective, especially in people with darker skin tones.
What is the best natural treatment for melasma?
Melasma home remedies
- Aloe vera. A 2017 study on pregnant women with melasma found using a topical, liposome-encapsulated aloe vera preparation significantly improved their melasma.
- Polypodium leucotomos. This is a fern native to Central and South America. ...
- Tranexamic acid. ...
- Glutathione. ...
- Sun protection. ...
Which is a better treatment for melasma?
Treatment of melasma is known to be less satisfactory, often incomplete, and relapse is frequent. Although many treatment options are available, they are either known to be unsafe on long-term use or their long-term safety profile is unknown. Patients often use various drugs, even topical steroid-based preparation without any medical ...
Is there an effective lasting treatment or remedy for melasma?
Triple combination cream (hydroquinone, tretinoin, and corticosteroid) remains the most effective treatment for melasma, as well as hydroquinone alone. Chemical peels and laser- and light-based devices have mixed results. Oral tranexamic acid is a promising new treatment for moderate and severe recurrent melasma.
Can melasma be cured permanently by laser?
Laser treatments can be a good option for treating melasma that's resistant to other treatment options, like skin-lightening agents or chemical peels. Lasers permeate your outer layer of skin, resulting in cell renewal for brighter, more even skin.
What is the cost of melasma?
The cost of melasma treatment can range from $200 to $2500, it all depends on the treatment that you opt for. Since melasma treatment is not medically necessary, most insurers will not cover drugs or procedures used to treat it. However, 2% of hydroquinone creams are available over the counter.
Does melasma come back after laser?
There is a very small risk of worsening melasma or increased darkening after laser treatments and even cases where the melasma fades beautifully after laser, it is very much prone to coming back.
How many laser treatments are needed for melasma?
The pilot study for this device in melasma was completed by Polder et al. who showed a 51% improvement one month following three to four treatments with fluences of 10 mJ to 20 mJ, and 34% improvement at six months following completion of all treatment sessions.
Can melasma be removed permanently?
Most cases of melasma will fade away with time and especially with good protection from sunlight and other sources of light. Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment that will automatically make melasma disappear. At this time there is no way to remove dermal pigment.
What is the best laser for melasma?
Low-fluence Q-switched (LFQS) Nd-YAG laser seems to be the best option for refractory cases of melasma, especially in individuals with darker skin tones.
Is laser treatment painful?
“Most of the lasers have a cool tip. There are also vacuum assisted high speed lasers that do not cause any pain, with the patient only feeling their skin getting pulled. In other words, it is fast and painless. If someone is sensitive, topical anesthesia can be given to them in the form of numbing creams.
How much does laser treatment for melasma cost in India?
The average melasma laser treatment cost is between Rs 5,000 to 15,000. However, the cost depends on the severity of your melasma condition, your skin type, and the treatment you choose.
Which cream is best for melasma?
Plus the 4 best melasma creamsThis Melasma Cream with Azelaic Acid and Arbutin. SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment. ... This Melasma Cream with Arbutin and Vitamin C. Obagi Medical Nu-Derm Clear Fx. ... This Melasma Cream with Azelaic Acid and Glycolic Acid. ... This Melasma Cream with Niacinamide and Kojic Acid.
Can laser make melasma worse?
The risk with all types of laser treatments is causing further damage and making melasma worse. With extended heat-based lasers, there is a chance of exacerbating skin issues, so while treatment may remove melasma, it can also lead to other unsightly blemishes in the future.
Does melasma come back after treatment?
ANSWER: The skin condition melasma can be challenging to get rid of completely, and as a chronic condition, it can come back after treatment. With the treatment you mention, intense-pulsed light or IPL, melasma often reappears quickly.
Can a dermatologist remove melasma?
Chemical peel: During this procedure, your dermatologist applies a chemical solution to the melasma. This can help remove excess pigment. Microneedling: This minimally invasive procedure creates microscopic tears in your skin. As the skin heals, it tends to have a more even skin tone.
Q. How would I know if the brown patches on my face were melasma or sun spots? What is the difference?
A. Melasma is usually caused by hormonal shifts and is often referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”. The starting of birth control pills can also...
Q. Can this laser treat the red pigmentation marks on my face that were caused by acne?
A. The red marks are actually inflammation left over from the acne not pigmentation. They are caused by vascularization that was left over from...
Q. I have melasma on both sides of my neck. I also have it on my left arm from my elbow to my wrist. It seems to be spreading. I’ve tried Tri Luma and chemical peels but neither has worked. Can this treatment help me?
A. Our laser melasma treatment protocols can more than likely help. First, we need to establish the likely cause of you melasma with a thorough ev...
Q. I’ve been told that the brown patches on my face are an unstable melasma. Will this treatment get rid of it? Can the melasma come back?
A. We are confident that we can provide you with treatments that will achieve successful results for your skin. However, before I respond specific...
Q. I’ve always heard that melasma has no cure. Is this true?
A. In some cases, this is correct. Let me explain. There are two basic types that melasma can be differentiated into, stable and unstable. In...
Q. Does this treatment work for fitzpatrick skin type 4?
A. Yes! We treat skin type 4 with pigmentation issues every day of the week. In fact, melasma is most common in that skin type… and patients wi...
Q. How much does this treatment cost?
A. We charge by time in our medical practice. So the larger and more complex you melasma is, the more time will be required to treat it and the mo...
Q. Is it possible for melasma to move around on your face?
A. It is not unusual for a melasma to travel around your face. It can suddenly disappear in one area and appear in another. No one knows exactly w...
Q. Is the PICO laser the best for treating melasma?
A. The PICO laser is the latest laser technology for treating pigmentation. The frequency of energy being emitted from the laser is also an import...
Treating Melasma
In most cases, melasma will fade on its own. This may occur after pregnancy or when women stop taking birth control pills. Once melasma fades, patients should take the proper precautions to prevent it from reappearing. Staying out of the sun as much as possible and wearing protective sunscreen are often helpful precautions.
Cosmetic Procedures
Certain cosmetic procedures may also be used to provide treatment. Chemical peels are one such treatment that may provide relief from melasma, as well as a host of other skin conditions. Chemical peels come in different depths from the very superficial to the very deep. Talk to your doctor about which chemical peel is right for you.
How to treat melasma?
Generally conventional doctors choose to treat the melasma with a laser that will target and vaporize the melanin. However, this delivers enough energy to the skin that also irritates the hypersensitive melanocytes, which is likely to make the melasma worse.
Why does melasma have extra pigmentation?
In a stable melasma, the extra pigmentation is usually associated with some kind of event that instigated the hyper-pigmentation. The event could be the hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy, or it could also be some kind of skin irritation or trauma that produced the hyper-pigmentation.
Does laser melanin vaporize?
We use specific lasers modulated in precise ways, to deliver energy that will change the molecular structure of the melanin but not vaporize or remove it. As a matter of fact, all the melanin that was there before the melasma treatment is still there after the treatment.
Can melasma be wacked out?
Its only in a few melasma spots on your face that are “wacked” out. Thus, rather than interfering with or circumventing your physiology we want to engage it, and remind it to do to the skin of your melasma what it is doing successfully everywhere else on your body.
Can you remove melanin from your face?
The answer shocks most people: By not trying to remove the melanin…. Rather, by getting your body to remove the melanin. Let me explain: Everywhere on your body, the physiology of your skin is maintaining the proper balance of melanin in your skin. Its only in a few melasma spots on your face that are “wacked” out.
Does melasma go away?
For some, the melasma will simply fade away once their hormones return to their normal state. For instance, after giving birth or stopping the use of birth control pills. For others, treatment of the melasma may be the only solution to make it go away. Melasma is also made worse with excessive exposure to the sun.
Can you get sun spots with laser?
As we age, we are more likely to get sun spots if we spend a lot of time in the sun. Laser treatment for melasma is more difficult than for sun spots, however, both can be successfully treated and removed. Q.
How long does it take for melasma to clear after laser treatment?
You may need follow-up treatments because sometimes melasma clears days after laser therapy, but returns in about 3 months.
What is the best treatment for melasma?
Laser treatments can be a good option for treating melasma that’s resistant to other treatment options, like skin-lightening agents or chemical peels. Lasers permeate your outer layer of skin, resulting in cell renewal for brighter, more even skin.
What is a picosure laser?
PicoSure is a laser that turns energy into pressure as opposed to heat. It works quickly to treat melasma below your skin at its source. The procedure itself is quick and only slightly uncomfortable. You may experience a stinging sensation similar to a rubber band snapping on skin.
What is fractional laser?
Fractional laser resurfacing, sometimes known by the brand name, Fraxel, makes microscopic holes in your skin that stimulate the growth of new and healthy skin cells. There is a prickling sensation involved and usually topical anesthetic is applied before the procedure.
What is a melasma?
When to talk with a pro. Takeaway. Melasma is a skin condition that causes gray or brown spots of discoloration on your skin. It can happen to anyone, and is not dangerous to your health, but it can be an annoying cosmetic issue. Melasma most commonly involves sun-exposed areas of your skin including: cheeks. upper lip.
What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a licensed esthetician, who uses a tool with an abrasive tip or vacuum suction to slough off your outer layer of skin.
Do chemical peels remove melasma?
showed that chemical peels come in varying strengths, and they use acids and other ingredients like tretinoin to gently remove your outer layer of skin. Side effects look and feel similar to a sunburn, but once your skin recovers, melasma may be less prominent.
What wavelength is the best for melasma?
These lasers can operate on different wavelengths, with it’s 1927 wa velength setting suitable to lighten melasma, while it’s 1550 wavelength can address more serious hyperpigmentation, such as dark patches of skin stemming from scars. Pigment-seeking lasers:
How much does a Picoway laser cost?
One PicoWay session costs approximately between $400-$600. Most hyperpigmentation laser treatments require multiple sessions. Takeaway. Hyperpigmentation stems from a variety of factors, with different causes spawning different forms of the condition. Laser treatments can reduce hyperpigmentation, with the newest lasers now being safe ...
What is the difference between ablative and non-ablative lasers?
The primary difference in treatment modalities is that non-ablative lasers target the dermis to promote collagen growth and tightening, whereas ablative lasers vaporize the top layers of skin to enable new skin cells to grow back tighter with an improved tone. Non-ablative resurfacing lasers.
How does ablative laser work?
With ablative lasers this process rejuvenates the skin by resurfacing its upper layers, enabling new skin to form while simultaneously stimulating the development of collagen.
What is fractional laser?
Fractional lasers use a diffractive lens, which breaks up the beams of light, hitting the skin in a pixelated pattern so some columns receive light while others go untouched. These lasers are so designed to be gentle on the skin and minimize post-treatment downtime.
Why is laser therapy safe for dark skin?
That’s because it’s safest to deliver light energy to dark skin at slower, less traumatic speeds, hence requiring more time and sessions to address hyperpigmentation. If you have dark skin your dermatologist will assess your discoloration and overall skin tone to select the best laser options for your skin type.
What is the most common form of hyperpigmentation?
There are different forms of hyperpigmentation; melasma, solar lentigo and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) are the most ubiquitous varieties, although in some people it can also be brought on by certain medications, a form of hyperpigmentation called Medication-induced cutaneous pigmentation (MIP).