Melasma Treatment Q&A
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Is IPL Laser the Best Melasma Treatment?
asked 3 years ago by Sarah184 in UK
Latest answer by Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Question viewed 17,128 times
Tags: cheeks, forehead, female, melasma
Hi, I have very large melasma patches on my cheeks and forehead. A consultant at my local hospital prescribed me with quinone cream, which was very difficult for the pharmacist to get hold of as it is banned in our country (U.K). I have been given advice by a local clinic on IPL laser and wondered if this would be good for me.
3 answers to Is IPL Laser the Best Melasma Treatment?
+4
IPL Treatment for Melasma
We believe that IPL (and Fraxel for that matter) treatments are the worst choice for Melasma for the vast majority of those that have it. Melasma can be an epidermal (upper skin), dermal (lower skin) or mixed (dermal and epidermal) condition. We have found that the only results we have achieved for treating Melasma were achieved with Q-switched laser technology and only in cases for epidermal Melasma. But so few patients have just epidermal Melasma that many actually get worse after...
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+2
Melasma: Answers to the most common questions
Melasma is characterized by hyperpigmentation on the face that has four main causes:
Genetics
Sun exposure
Hormones
Inflammation
One of the most effective treatments is a topical combination of prescription hydroquinone and tretinoin. Keep in mind that treatments for melasma are not permanent as the above mentioned causes cannot be entirely eliminated.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Melasma and IPL
IPL treatment can sometimes help melasma although it is tough. Some alternatives include treatment with hydroquinone and retin-A based products. These creams provide a slow treatment that should hsow improvements over a few months.
