Melasma, Droopy Cheeks, Eye Bags - Options? (photo)

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. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. 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

Experiencing concerns like melasma, droopy cheeks, and eye bags at a young age can be distressing, but there are several options available to help address these issues and rejuvenate your appearance. Here’s a comprehensive approach:

Skin Care and Lifestyle:
Sun Protection: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Sun exposure can worsen melasma and accelerate skin aging.

Topical Treatments: Consider products containing ingredients like hydroquinone, azelaic acid, or kojic acid to lighten melasma. Retinoids can help with fine lines and improve skin texture.

Hydration and Diet: Drink plenty of water and maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants to support skin health.

Good Sleep and Stress Management: Adequate rest and stress reduction can improve overall skin appearance.

Non-Surgical Options:
Chemical Peels: These can help reduce melasma, improve skin texture, and enhance overall skin tone.

Microneedling: This treatment can stimulate collagen production, helping to reduce fine lines and improve skin elasticity.

Dermal Fillers: Fillers can restore volume to the cheeks and reduce the appearance of smile lines, enhancing facial contours.

Botox: Botox can be used to soften dynamic wrinkles and give a more rested appearance.

Laser Treatments: Fractional lasers or intense pulsed light (IPL) can target pigmentation issues like melasma and improve skin texture.

Surgical Options:
Blepharoplasty: If eye bags are a significant concern, eyelid surgery can help remove excess fat and tighten the skin around the eyes.
Consultation:
It's important to consult with a dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon to evaluate your specific concerns and create a personalized treatment plan. They can assess your skin type, the severity of your melasma, and other factors to recommend the most effective treatments for you.

By combining professional treatments with a solid skincare routine, you can achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance, boosting your confidence both with and without makeup.

Hi! Thank you for your question! Looking at your photos provided, I would recommend a package of Morpheus8 treatments for full face and neck. This treatment is microneedling with radio frequency to help minimize all of your skincare concerns! For an at home regimen, I would use a Hydroquinone cream that can help lighten the melasma for one month before treatment.

You would be wise to consult a board certified cosmetic dermatologist and to keep it simple. That means being skeptical of the intense marketing hype and social media buzz hawking relatively expensive light and energy-based devices, such as fraxel lasers and RF devices. The hard science to back up their use simply lags well behind the hype. So, be very cautious with your money and time when investigating these options.
On the other hand, the at-home use of Rx topical medications, such as retinoids and and alpha or beta hydroxy acid products can go a long way to making the skin more luminescent and to diminish hyperpigmentation. This can be coupled with series of in-office superficial peels using high concentrations of an alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxacid, Jessner's Solution, or low concentrations of TCA
Finally, the use of a robust HA contouring filler properly injected in the region of the upper outer cheeks can reestablish a feminine, aesthetic Ogee Curve, as well as help to smooth the transition between the upper cheeks and the under-eye regions and also diminish the incipient tear troughs and "eye bags" noted in the photos.
Unlike all the "next big thing" gizmo treatments, all of the aforementioned treatments have a several decades' long track record of safety and efficacy in all skin types. Hope this helps and best of luck.

You will likely have the best result from a combination of treatments. Morpheus8 treatments combine RF technology with microneedling to improve overall skin tone and texture. We also recommend using medical grade skin care products like Transform MD and wearing sunscreen every day.