53 yro, 50% Gujrat Indian, 50% Irish/Scandinavian. Battling bad melasma, advice? (photos)

Question

I have been battling bad melasma that has gotten worse since menopause. I have had a BBL, numerous peels, hydroquinone creams (12 weeks and stopped), retin-A and exfoliations. Any advice? Makeup barely covers it and I am so self conscious. Thank you!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Roya Rakhshani, MD · Answer

Hello, being part Indian puts you in at least a Fitzpatrick 4 skin type. In my opinion you need to avoid any resusurfacing, such as CO2 Lasers or peels. Those treatments will only worsen your problem. Laser with Picogenesis, and pretreatment with specific anti inflammatory creams or medications will help eliminate Melasma. Keeping in minds that sun exposure and hormones may cause the Melasma to recur.

53 yro, 50% Gujrat Indian, 50% Irish/Scandinavian. Battling bad melasma, advice? (photos)

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53 yro, 50% Gujrat Indian, 50% Irish/Scandinavian. Battling bad melasma, advice? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

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