Is BBL an Effective Melasma Treatment?

Question

Is BBL (broadband light) an effective treatment for melasma and other brown spots?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Skin hyperpigmentation, known as melasma, occurs most commonly from a combination of genetics, hormonal influence, sun exposure, and exogenous hormones such as birth control pills.
Although IPL and BBL are commonly employed to treat melasma, they are not curative.  A long term regimen of retinoids and hydroquinone based creams, coupled with aggressive sun avoidance, should help in the treatment of melasma.

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

Other brown spots? Yes. But melasma is very different from your typical sun damage or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Some people experience melasma as a response to hormonal changes like pregnancy, birth control pills, thyroid conditions…etc. The hormonal condition should be controlled first for successful long term treatment. BBL/IPL can be effective for Caucasian skin if the pigment is superficial. However, be sure you have a very skilled practitioner with a lot of experience treating melasma this way. A safer option would be to treat melasma chemically with a retinoid and a pigment inhibitor like arbutase or hydroquinone. This is how I would treat a darker skin of Asian or Hispanic descent.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

BBL or IPL can be effective against melasma. Melasma can be affected by sun exposure, hormones, and certain medications. BBL or IPL can be helpful in most cases. Sometimes, skin care products as well incorporating hydroquinone and Retin-a are beneficial as well.

Is BBL an Effective Melasma Treatment?

Answers (3)

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