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

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

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.