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Melasma
What is Melasma?
Melasma is skin discoloration (tan, brown, blue or black) found most commonly on sun exposed
areas of the face.
What Causes Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin disorder. Though it can affect anyone, women with darker skin tones
(especially Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern) are at greatest risk. Melasma can be
associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is especially common in
pregnant women, women who are taking oral contraceptives, and women taking hormone
replacement therapy during menopause. The use of cosmetics is associated with melasma but
the relationship between the two is not understood. Sun exposure is strongly associated with
melasma.
What does Melasma look like?
Melasma causes irregular tan, brown, or even blue/black patches on parts of the face including
cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, jaw line, and upper lip. It is most often symmetrical (matching on
both sides of the face).
What treatment options are available?
The best treatment for melasma is prevention. The key to preventing melasma is sun avoidance
and daily sunscreen that contains in the ingredients, Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide. NO matter
what treatment regimen a patient follows, the use of a broad spectrum sun screen is mandatory.
However, for most of us, it is too late for prevention, and there are a number of treatment options
available.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)…What is it?
IPL is one of the newer forms of facial rejuvenation. Unlike lasers, which use intense, focused
light, IPL is intense broadband light. Although IPL delivers energy to both the superficial and deep
layers of the skin, the epidermis is spared from damage. Thus, there is virtually no recovery time.
In the studies that have been performed so far, IPL can smooth the skin and fade age spots,
freckles, melasma, and even broken blood vessels. Improvements usually last for about a year
with good sun protection.
Is it Painful?
IPL treatments of freckles, brown spots, and Melasma usually require no downtime, and you can
return to normal daily activities immediately. Over a 2 to 4 week period Melasma pigment will
gradually lighten or fade. After IPL treatments, it is especially important to wear sunscreen and a
hat to avoid sun exposure and prevent discoloration and recurrence of Melasma.
The IPL and Laser treatments offered at Advance Cosmedics are FDA approved to treat the full
range of skin concerns including unwanted hair, brown spots, age spots, varicose veins, spider
veins, facial flushing or redness in the skin (erythema), rosacea, acne even birthmarks such as
port wine stains. For more information call Advance Cosmedics at 1-877-386-6500, or for a free
consultation
What is Melasma?
Melasma is skin discoloration (tan, brown, blue or black) found most commonly on sun exposed
areas of the face.
What Causes Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin disorder. Though it can affect anyone, women with darker skin tones
(especially Hispanic, Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern) are at greatest risk. Melasma can be
associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is especially common in
pregnant women, women who are taking oral contraceptives, and women taking hormone
replacement therapy during menopause. The use of cosmetics is associated with melasma but
the relationship between the two is not understood. Sun exposure is strongly associated with
melasma.
What does Melasma look like?
Melasma causes irregular tan, brown, or even blue/black patches on parts of the face including
cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, jaw line, and upper lip. It is most often symmetrical (matching on
both sides of the face).
What treatment options are available?
The best treatment for melasma is prevention. The key to preventing melasma is sun avoidance
and daily sunscreen that contains in the ingredients, Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide. NO matter
what treatment regimen a patient follows, the use of a broad spectrum sun screen is mandatory.
However, for most of us, it is too late for prevention, and there are a number of treatment options
available.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)…What is it?
IPL is one of the newer forms of facial rejuvenation. Unlike lasers, which use intense, focused
light, IPL is intense broadband light. Although IPL delivers energy to both the superficial and deep
layers of the skin, the epidermis is spared from damage. Thus, there is virtually no recovery time.
In the studies that have been performed so far, IPL can smooth the skin and fade age spots,
freckles, melasma, and even broken blood vessels. Improvements usually last for about a year
with good sun protection.
Is it Painful?
IPL treatments of freckles, brown spots, and Melasma usually require no downtime, and you can
return to normal daily activities immediately. Over a 2 to 4 week period Melasma pigment will
gradually lighten or fade. After IPL treatments, it is especially important to wear sunscreen and a
hat to avoid sun exposure and prevent discoloration and recurrence of Melasma.
The IPL and Laser treatments offered at Advance Cosmedics are FDA approved to treat the full
range of skin concerns including unwanted hair, brown spots, age spots, varicose veins, spider
veins, facial flushing or redness in the skin (erythema), rosacea, acne even birthmarks such as
port wine stains. For more information call Advance Cosmedics at 1-877-386-6500, or for a free
consultation