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Melasma
Melasma is unwanted pigmentation on the skin that often develops most commonly in women and typically worsens with sun exposure. It is frequently seen with pregnancy or with the use of birth control pills.
Melasma
Melasma is sometimes referred to as “the mask of pregnancy.” The ideal approach to this condition is a combination of laser therapy, sun protection, and topical bleaching agents. At the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, our laser treatment options include the Clear + Brilliant®, Clear + Brilliant® Permea, Fraxel Dual®, LaseMD, nd:YAG, and PicoSure™ lasers among others. We often combine our laser treatments with topical and/or oral administration of tranexamic acid. With melasma, a cure is not possible, so we strive to achieve as much sustained lightening as possible with our combination regimen.
What are the treatment options?
At the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, our various treatment options for melasma include:
Do Laser Treatments Hurt?
Specific lasers are used based on the condition being treated. The sensation can be compared to a tiny prickling of the skin. Our laser procedures are performed with either topical anesthesia or local anesthesia. For some patients, general anesthesia is provided as an option. The anesthesia helps to subdue the pain of being mild and bearable.
When Will I See Results?
Full results from laser skin resurfacing treatment can be seen approximately 6 months after the treatment when the skin is fully healed.
How Long is the Recovery Time After Treatment?
There is no downtime after a laser treatment. Most of our patients resume their regular routine as soon as they leave our office. Over the course of the following week, there will be changes in pigmentation as the skin starts to peel. Avoid harsh products on the treated areas and use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. Avoid picking at the skin as it will irritate the skin and prolong the healing process.
Publications
“Laser-assisted delivery of tranexamic acid for melasma: Pilot study using a novel 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser.” J Cosmet Dermatol 2020 Nov 11.
“Dynamic Optical Coherence Tomography of Cutaneous Blood Vessels in Melasma and Vessel Response to Oral Tranexamic Acid.” Lasers Surg Med 2020 Nov 8
Retrospective analysis of the treatment of melasma lesions exhibiting increased vascularity with the 595-nm pulsed dye laser combined with the 1927-nm fractional low-powered diode laser. PubMed (2017)
Real Patients Before and After photos
Laser treatment to reduce brown spots from melasma
Laser Treatment for Melasma on the Face
Laser Treatment for Brown Spots and Sun Damage on the Cheeks
Melasma In The News
Melasma
Questions and Answers
Q: What Causes Melasma?
A: Although melasma is much more common in women, men can get it as well. It is not clear what causes melasma, but the condition is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Birth control pills, pregnancy, stress, and sun exposure are all possible causes of the condition.
Q: What Are The Symptoms of Melasma?
A: A change in the color of the skin is the only symptom of melasma. The discolored patches do not physically affect you and tend to appear on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip.
Q: Can Melasma Be Prevented?
A: It can be difficult to prevent melasma since doctors do not always know what causes it. The best precaution is to use broad-spectrum, high SPF sunscreen daily.
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Sagging Skin
The skin’s underlying structure degrades over time, leading to skin laxity and sagging skin. Collagen, the essential protein in our skin, begins to decline as early as our 20s, leaving skin without support from within. Restoring collagen helps to restore the skin’s youthful vitality.
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are a common and unwanted sign of aging. As you age, your body produces less collagen, creating saggy and wrinkly looking skin. Our customized strategies to combat wrinkles include laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, and wrinkle relaxers.
Brown age spots
Age spots and brown spots (also known as sunspots, liver spots, and lentigines) are a consequence of aging and sun exposure. The most effective treatment for eliminating these spots and other skin pigmentation is laser therapy, which usually includes little to no downtime after treatment.
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