Melasma Treatment

BRIGHTEN YOUR SKIN AND REDUCE YOUR PIGMENT

Melasma Treatment

What is Melasma and what causes it ?

Melasma is a facial skin condition that presents with blotchy areas of hyperpigmentation distributed primarily over the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and, less commonly, the chest and neck area.

The exact cause of melasma is unknown; however, it is believed that the pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes, become overactive, producing more melanin in selective locations.

There are variations in human pigmentation, with individuals with darker skin types producing more melanin, which is controlled by the rate-limiting enzyme tyrosinase. Individuals with darker skin tones are at greater risk for melasma than fair-skinned individuals.

Melasma is always worsened through sun exposure. Visible light or sunlight exposure, as a result of the damaging UVA and UVB rays, cause the appearance of melasma.

What treatments are available for Melasma and hyperpigmentation?

Picoway laser is the lamborghini of lasers for melasma and hyperpigmentation
Green Toning using our Q switch laser
Microneedling
Hydrafacials
Skin Care Products

What is the PicoWay laser?

This is an FDA-cleared picosecond laser that treats acne scars, wrinkles and dark spots caused from pigmentation. The laser system delivers high peak power and ultra-short pulse durations for a photoacoustic effect that transforms skin from the inside out.

This helps improve acne scars and wrinkles with a series of quick, 15 to 20 minute treatments with low downtime.

Treats benign pigmented lesions with 50% clearance after two treatments across a range of skin types.

Green Toning

This is a form of non-ablative skin rejuvenation that utilizes our medical-grade Q-Switch ND:YAG 1064 nm and KTP 532 nm lasers. It can be used to effectively treat melasma (dark patches) and other skin pigmentation issues. The energy levels used are low, yet the laser is able to penetrate deep into the skin to heat the dermal layer. This forms elastin and breaks down pigmentation without harming the skin’s cells. The body then removes these broken-down particles through its immune system’s natural drainage process.

What do I need to know about green toning?

After a low-level green toning procedure, your skin will be slightly red for a couple of hours; however, this will disappear very quickly. For stronger treatments, you may experience some scabbing or flaking, although we prefer to use less aggressive laser settings. You will not experience any discomfort after the treatment.

Anesthetic is not needed for low-energy green toning; however, you will be able to feel the treatment. The sensation is a lot like pins and needles, although to keep this to an absolute minimum, our cooling device blows chilled air on to your skin whilst we undertake the treatment.

Depending on how strong your skin discolouration is, the number of sessions required will vary. Normally, three to four treatments will be scheduled, with one session per month. After this, we will assess your melasma’s response to the treatment and schedule more sessions if required, or scale back to maintenance sessions.

We recommend that you also apply a topical lightening cream when undertaking green toning, as this will control the cells that produce the melanin that creates the dark patches.

Adverse side effects with green toning are extremely rare but can include a loss of skin colour in the treated area (hypopigmentation), a brown mark that may take a few months to fade (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), redness that may take a little longer than usual to dissipate and bacterial infection (lasers can potentially cause a viral infection in the minute wound created in the skin, so do let us know if you’re prone to cold sores or similar issues). Scarring is also very rare, although it can infrequently occur in darker skin.

For strong, or deep-seated melasma we can combine green toning with fractional laser treatment. This will normally take place over two to three sessions, and you may experience a few days of downtime.

Melasma is an incurable skin condition; however, if it’s blighting your life, green toning can provide very real relief and a distinct difference in your skin tone. At Serene Radiance, our initial treatments and ongoing maintenance treatments will help you lessen and manage your melasma and unlock the confidence that’s been hiding deep within.

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Melasma Treatment

BRIGHTEN YOUR SKIN AND REDUCE YOUR PIGMENT