melasma/hyperpigmentation treatments
Melasma is a skin condition which causes dark pigmentation (hyper pigmentation) on sun exposed areas of the face, particularly the cheeks, forehead, chin, and upper lip. It is most often symmetrical on both sides of the face and, when present on the upper lip and cheeks, can resemble a dark beard and mustache. Although it can affect anyone, melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications.
Melasma is thought to be the stimulation of melanocytes or pigment-producing cells by the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone to produce more melanin pigments when the skin is exposed to sun..
Melasma does not cause any other symptoms beyond the cosmetic discoloration and usually disappears a few months after giving birth or stopping the oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. The best treatment to prevent melasma is to avoid the sun and use a daily sunscreen that contains Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide. For those who are too late for prevention, there are a number of treatments and options available.
Treatments
Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Therapy is recommended for lightening the surface discolorations experienced with melasma. During treatment, the IPL wavelength is optimized so that the energy is absorbed only by the unwanted melanin, raising the temperature to cause shattering of the pigment. Shortly after treatment, the unwanted pigment cells (or melanin) have been thoroughly fragmented without damage to the surrounding tissue. In the weeks after treatment, the shattered melanin particles are eliminated through phagocytosis, whereby the fragmented pigments and damaged melanocytes are absorbed by the body. In most cases little or no trace of the initial lesion remains.
Combination Therapy is used to treat the surface and sub surface affects of melasma. A combination of IPL treatments, Vitalize Peels, the use of Obagi Nu-Derm Skin Products is often recommended. Combining these three therapies provides a more aggressive approach and longer, more successful results in both epidermal and dermal melasma. An in-depth consultation and a Visia Skin Analysis are required before this therapy can be provided.
Before and After 3 IPL Treatments
*Results May Vary
