Provo Dermatologists

Hypopigmentation After Laser for Melasma

From India and dark skinned. I had melasma. The doctor recommended revlite laser for 20 sittings at 5 day interval in Jan'10. After which, my skin has hypopigmentation & have white spots all over my face. I keep applying sun screen regularly and I see good improvement. Certain areas turn from white to pink and gradually fade away.However there are still spots which don't seem to improve.Do the "not improved" spots fade away over time? Are these permanent? Is there any treatment I could go for?

Lasers do not cure melasma.  See the article in October 2011 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.  Lasers are temporarily helpful, but never curative.  If you had 20 treatments, you may have permanent hypopigmented spots especially if the treatments were aggressive.  In my opinion there are safer and better ways to treat melasm.

Mark Taylor, MD

Salt Lake City Dermatologic Surgeon

What is The Best treatment For Melasma Skin Type IV?

what is the  best tretment for melasma  skin type  4

We use the Cosmion mask with 100% Vitamin C.  Small holes a poked into the skin with a needle roller.  Potent Vitamin C and a full face Iontophoresis Mask (Cosmion) is applied to drive the Vitamin C into the skin.  This works very well on dark skin types.  We have been doing it for three years now and almost everyone responds.  Sometimes we will also add the 1550nm Fraxel laser to break up the pigment before putting on the mask.  We usually do three one-hour  treatments a week for one month.  Some patients will require two months of treatments (24 treatments)  Each mask is good for 12 treatments.  We us M2 skin care products, Laroche Posay 60 Sun Block and a large hat to lessen the sun exposure.  We are usually able to clear the Melasma and keep it clear for years following this protocol.

Mark Taylor, MD

Salt Lake City Dermatologic Surgeon

How Much Does Fraxel Repair Treatment Cost on Entire Face? How Many Treatments? Is It Right For Me? (photo)

I"m 30 I had 2 times dermabrasion but still scared face now i wanna try Fraxel repair as medical tourist in the US.Is the Fraxel right choice for acne scars if it is right how many times have to treate?

You have both pitted and rolling scars.  I would treat you by punching out many of the pits and then perform  a combinaiton treatment with extensive subcision and  Fraxel Repair Laser performed in a single aggressive treatment.  I my hands this would work the very best. 

Mark Taylor, MD

Salt Lake City Dermatologic Surgeon