Melasma Treatment: Q&A
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What Works Better or Best for Malasma? IPL or Fraxel?
My wife has malsma and was treated by her old dermatologist last summer for a couple of spots. Fraxel laser was used. The spots disappeared after two days, came back darker after a week, and then disappeared after a month or so. Our new dermatologist says to use IPL, but she says she uses IPL. it will take 10, 12 or more treatments, and there are no guarantees. Should we go back to our old Dr. and use the fraxel?
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4 Doctor Answers |
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russpsych
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Melasma treatment with Melarase creams
I usually do not recommend the IPL or Fraxel laser as first line treatment for melasma. In my Los Angeles office, I treat melasma with a combination of creams (Melarase AM and Melarase PM) followed by once monthly MelaPeels.
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Melasma Recommendation?
Hello Russ. We do not agree with either one of the practitioners you have visited. Lasers and IPL are expensive, time consuming and often lead to worsening of the condition. We have run trials with Q-switched lasers and many of them have gotten worse. We have heard the same from patients regarding IPL and Fraxel. While short term results may be achieved, Melasma cannot be cured and so expensive laser treatments are a worse option than hydroquinone...
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Avoid IPL for melasma
IPL is not a good treatment for melasma since it will recur darker than before. Fraxel is a much better option; however, you must use sun protection and fading creams as maintenance treatment or the pigment will recur. There is no cure for melasma but it can be controlled if you avoid the sun.
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Treatment options for melasma
Melasma is a very complicated and chronic type of skin pigmentation. It is more common in women and particularly in people with skin that is dark or tans easily. It can be exacerbated by pregnancy, birth control pills, heat, and especially sun exposure. Laser can be useful, but I don't consider it the treatment of choice for melasma. Due to the mechanism of action of each of the lasers, I feel that Fraxel is a better treatment option compared to IPL; however, there is...
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Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
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