Picosure Melasma treatment; can anyone help on this issue?

Question

Why melasma is keep coming back after picosure treatment . My skin gets very clear for 2-3 weeks then melasma start coming on the surface. Don't know how many sitting I need . Am I paying 600dollars only for 2-3 weeks clear face. Will it ever stop coming back ??? I hope I am not wasting my money . I was so happy 2 weeks ago , now I am sad again cuz results stays only for few days. Anyone can help or knows about this issue?? Any experience ??? Please share

Raminder Saluja, MD · Answer

Hello,First melasma is indeed very difficult to treat.  Prior to doing Picosure, I tell patients that it is a good idea to prime the skin with tretinoin 0.05 to 0.1% along with Hydroquinone 4% in the evenings and Vitamin C serum in the am and pm (apply this first on clean skin).  This allows the melanocyte to calm down on production of melanin and may lighten the pigmentation by 10-15%.  (always take hydroquinone holidays where you use for 2 months and then 2 weeks off).  Then after 4-6 weeks, you can begin Picosure treatments.  I tell patients that 1/3 will improve, 1/3 will stay the same and 1/3 will get worse- this is my general consultation for any laser for melasma.  With than being said (we have fractional nonablative, fractional ablative, QS and IPL), I do believe that the best laser to try is indeed Picosure Focus lens.  When treating melasma, what we have found is that for about 5 days to 1 week, the pigment will get darker as it absorbs the wavelength and then will lighten up.  I have found that treating every 6-8 weeks gives time for the skin to recover and then begin.  Patients are still instructed to continue with their Vitamin C serum/sunscreen/and tretinoin and hydroquinone as these help augment the results.The biggest issue with melasma is having energy high enough to treat, while low enough to not induce PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation).  May also be a good idea to hold off on treatment during the summer and resume in October as it is hard to treat if tan and just the inherent nature of more sun exposure (even though you are most likely very diligent about sunscreen), in the summer.Hope that helps.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! It is important to stress that Melasma can not be cured. Picosure will treat existing spots but it will not prevent new ones from forming. Sometimes, Picosure can even trigger melasma. I am sorry that your provider hasn’t been honest with you. Good luck!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

It is important to stress that Melasma can not be cured. Picosure will treat existing spots but it will not prevent new ones from forming. Sometimes, Picosure can even trigger melasma. I am sorry that your provider hasn’t been honest with you. Good luck!

Picosure Melasma treatment; can anyone help on this issue?

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Picosure Melasma treatment; can anyone help on this issue?

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Everything you need to know about PicoSure

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.