Melasma Treatment

Understanding Melasma and How to Treat It (Part 2)

In this two-part article the skin care experts at AMAE Medical Spa in the West Bloomfield area explain the causes and treatments for melasma.
CLICK HERE FOR PART 1: Melasma Causes

The Best Treatments for Melasma

There are several treatment options available for melasma, but the most effective treatment will depend on the individual case. Some of the most commonly used treatments include:

1. Topical creams: These include hydroquinone, tretinoin, corticosteroids, and azelaic acid, which can lighten the affected areas of skin.
2. Chemical peels: These can remove the top layer of the skin and reduce pigmentation.
3. Laser therapy: This involves using a laser to remove the pigmented skin cells.
4. Microdermabrasion: This procedure involves removing the top layer of the skin to reduce pigmentation.

It’s important to note that Melasma can be a stubborn condition to treat, and it may take several months of treatment before you see any improvement. It is also important to consult with a skincare specialist like those at AMAE Medical Spa in the West Bloomfield area to determine the best treatment plan for you.

How Lasers Treat Melasma

Laser therapy is a type of treatment for melasma that uses a laser to remove the pigmented skin cells. The laser emits light energy that is absorbed by the melanin in the pigmented cells. This causes the cells to heat up and break down, which causes the pigmentation to lighten.

There are different types of lasers that can be used to treat melasma, including:

1. Q-switched lasers: These lasers use short pulses of high-energy light to target the melanin in the pigmented cells. They are considered to be the most effective type of laser for treating melasma.
2. Pulsed-dye lasers: These lasers use a specific type of light energy to target the melanin in the pigmented cells.
3. Fractional laser resurfacing: This type of laser treatment uses a beam of light to create tiny wounds in the skin, which stimulates the production of new collagen. This can help to improve the texture and tone of the skin.

Laser therapy is generally well-tolerated, but some side effects may include redness, swelling, and itching. It’s important to note that laser therapy may not completely eliminate melasma, it can reduce pigmentation, but will not prevent the recurrence. It’s also important to protect your skin from sun exposure after the treatment, as sun exposure can make melasma worse.

How IPL Treats Melasma

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy is a type of treatment for melasma that uses a broad-spectrum light source to target the pigmented cells. The light energy is absorbed by the melanin in the pigmented cells, which causes the cells to heat up and break down. This results in a reduction of pigmentation in the affected areas.

IPL therapy can be used to treat both epidermal and dermal melasma, but it is considered to be more effective in treating epidermal melasma. The procedure can be done in a clinic or doctor’s office, and it generally takes around 30 minutes to complete.

IPL therapy is generally well-tolerated, but some side effects may include redness, swelling, and itching. It’s important to note that IPL therapy may not completely eliminate melasma, it can reduce pigmentation, but will not prevent the recurrence. It’s also important to protect your skin from sun exposure after the treatment, as sun exposure can make melasma worse.

It’s also worth noting that IPL therapy is not recommended for everyone, people with darker skin or tanned skin may have a higher risk of complications such as changes in skin color or scarring, so it’s important to consult with aa skincare specialist like those at AMAE Medical Spa in the West Bloomfield area to determine if IPL therapy is safe and effective for you.

How Chemical Peels Treat Melasma

Chemical peels are a type of treatment in which an acid solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. This process can help to improve the appearance of melasma by removing the pigmented surface cells.

Chemical peels are used to treat melasma by causing controlled injury to the skin. This injury triggers the body’s natural healing process, which can help to lighten the pigmentation caused by melasma.

Different types of chemical peels, specially selected by the skincare experts at AMAE in the West Bloomfield area, can also offer effective and affordable Melasma treatment. These include:

Superficial peels: These peels use mild acids, such as glycolic acid or lactic acid, to remove the top layer of skin. They can be used to treat mild to moderate cases of melasma.

Medium peels: These peels use stronger acids, such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or Jessner’s solution, to remove the top and middle layers of skin. They can be used to treat moderate to severe cases of melasma.

Deep peels: These peels use the strongest acid, phenol, which can penetrate deep into the skin to remove the top, middle and deep layer of skin. They can be used to treat severe cases of melasma but are not recommended for all skin types and are more invasive.

Chemical peels are generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience mild redness or irritation after the procedure. It’s important to note that chemical peels can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to protect your skin from sun exposure after the treatment.

How Microdermabrasion Treats Melasma

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that uses fine crystals or a diamond-tipped wand to gently exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin. The procedure is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, and age spots.

Microdermabrasion may be used to treat melasma, but it’s not considered to be the most effective treatment option. Microdermabrasion works by removing the top layer of skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of pigmentation. However, melasma is often located deeper in the skin, so microdermabrasion may only have a limited effect on the pigmentation.

Microdermabrasion is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience mild redness or irritation after the procedure. It’s important to note that microdermabrasion can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to protect your skin from sun exposure after the treatment.

Topical Creams that Treat Melasma

Topical creams are another treatment option for melasma. These creams contain active ingredients that help to lighten the pigmentation caused by melasma. Some of the most commonly used topical ingredients used to treat melasma include:

• Hydroquinone: This is a skin lightening agent that works by inhibiting the production of melanin
• Tretinoin: This is a form of vitamin A that helps to lighten pigmentation and increase cell turnover.
• Azelaic acid: This is a naturally occurring acid that helps to lighten pigmentation and reduce inflammation.
• Kojic acid: This is a naturally occurring acid that helps to lighten pigmentation by inhibiting the production of melanin.
• Vitamin C: This is an antioxidant that helps to lighten pigmentation and improve skin health.

Best Melasma Treatments | West Bloomfield, MI

Melasma is notoriously difficult to treat, so it is important to consult with an experienced West Bloomfield area Board Certified plastic surgeon like Doctor Ali who can evaluate your skin and recommend the best treatment or combination of therapies. We offer several state-of-the-art treatments that are highly effective at treating Melasma at our West Bloomfield area Med Spa.

Each Melasma skin treatment begins with a professional skin consultation. Treatments are selected and optimized to meet the specific needs of each client with the most innovative and comprehensive products and technologies.

Schedule a Melasma consultation and treatment – and then relax in our West Bloomfield area Med Spa, while we make you look and feel more confident and attractive!

Melasma Treatments | West Bloomfield, MI: 248.335.7200