When I was 5 months pregnant I noticed what looked to be a 5 o'clock shadow above my upper lip I was prescribed tretinoin cream along with Hydroquinone cream and it does nothing but dry my face out and make my face crack and bleed anyone have any success with anything else I am 20 years old and am so self conscious about it and no amount of makeup will cover it in the picture it may be hard to tell I have melasma due to my lighting but it's there
Answer: Treating Melasma Greetings, melasma can only be treated at this time. Melasma is a condition which requires multiple steps and treatments to effectively improve the condition consistently over time. In our office, here are steps which are effective: -Pico lasers- The best type of laser for improving the condition. Please note it takes multiple steps to improve melasma safely -Nd:YAG Nano lasers with toning- Here a laser is used for deeply resistant melasma to break up particles without generating excessive heat -Melanage peels- A variety of peels can work and melanage is one of the best for melasma -Skin topicals- A variety of products including use of lighteners (we prefer natural lighteners such as arubtase found in our product Luminoso) as well as sunscreens can help improve the condition -Lifestyle choices-Avoiding the sun, hormonal changes (we have a hormone expert in Dr. Chughtai in our office) can all impact melasma. While melasma is common, patients must understand a multi pronged approach is often the best strategy and controlling this condition. Best, Anil Shah MD
Helpful
Answer: Treating Melasma Greetings, melasma can only be treated at this time. Melasma is a condition which requires multiple steps and treatments to effectively improve the condition consistently over time. In our office, here are steps which are effective: -Pico lasers- The best type of laser for improving the condition. Please note it takes multiple steps to improve melasma safely -Nd:YAG Nano lasers with toning- Here a laser is used for deeply resistant melasma to break up particles without generating excessive heat -Melanage peels- A variety of peels can work and melanage is one of the best for melasma -Skin topicals- A variety of products including use of lighteners (we prefer natural lighteners such as arubtase found in our product Luminoso) as well as sunscreens can help improve the condition -Lifestyle choices-Avoiding the sun, hormonal changes (we have a hormone expert in Dr. Chughtai in our office) can all impact melasma. While melasma is common, patients must understand a multi pronged approach is often the best strategy and controlling this condition. Best, Anil Shah MD
Helpful
April 17, 2017
Answer: Melarase creams and Clear and Brilliant laser I would start with Melarase creams followed by Clear and Brilliant laser to help reduce the pigmentation and maintain results. Pico lasers may hypo pigment. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles
Helpful
April 17, 2017
Answer: Melarase creams and Clear and Brilliant laser I would start with Melarase creams followed by Clear and Brilliant laser to help reduce the pigmentation and maintain results. Pico lasers may hypo pigment. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles
Helpful
March 21, 2017
Answer: Melasma Treatment--Best Treatment Is Clear + Brilliant / Fraxel / Aerolase w Microneedling/prp Melasma needs a combination approach to get the best improvement and will need a series of treatments. In our practice, we combine Clear + brilliant, peels, microneedling/PRP, aerolase, and sometimes erbium laser (coollaser) to get the best results. See an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer
Helpful
March 21, 2017
Answer: Melasma Treatment--Best Treatment Is Clear + Brilliant / Fraxel / Aerolase w Microneedling/prp Melasma needs a combination approach to get the best improvement and will need a series of treatments. In our practice, we combine Clear + brilliant, peels, microneedling/PRP, aerolase, and sometimes erbium laser (coollaser) to get the best results. See an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer
Helpful
July 16, 2017
Answer: How to reduce the hyperpigmentation of melasma .. Pictures suggest melasma. A multimodality approach to melasma is key to successful reduction in hyperpigmentation and ongoing maintenance. You would need an in person examination but Melasma can be treated with a comprehensive approach. You should avoid sun exposure with wide spectrum high SPF sun block and Spectrase is a great product for this. Consideration should be given to stopping birth control pills. As well, topical creams that are non hydroquinone based. Sclerovase. Melarase AM and Melarase PM are hydroquinone based products that relieve melasma pigmentation. I have been shown to be very effective in our practice.
Helpful
July 16, 2017
Answer: How to reduce the hyperpigmentation of melasma .. Pictures suggest melasma. A multimodality approach to melasma is key to successful reduction in hyperpigmentation and ongoing maintenance. You would need an in person examination but Melasma can be treated with a comprehensive approach. You should avoid sun exposure with wide spectrum high SPF sun block and Spectrase is a great product for this. Consideration should be given to stopping birth control pills. As well, topical creams that are non hydroquinone based. Sclerovase. Melarase AM and Melarase PM are hydroquinone based products that relieve melasma pigmentation. I have been shown to be very effective in our practice.
Helpful
March 22, 2017
Answer: Melasma Treatment Hi allibakker814! For your melasma, there are different treatment options. Peels, lasers (such as Clear and Brilliant), and microneedling with platelet-rich plasma are some options available. I would also recommend going to a board-certified dermatologist who can discuss your condition and also prescribe you some other topical medication that can help. And with melasma, just remember that you must have sunscreen on at all times. Even the smallest amount of sun can flare this condition. Good luck!
Helpful
March 22, 2017
Answer: Melasma Treatment Hi allibakker814! For your melasma, there are different treatment options. Peels, lasers (such as Clear and Brilliant), and microneedling with platelet-rich plasma are some options available. I would also recommend going to a board-certified dermatologist who can discuss your condition and also prescribe you some other topical medication that can help. And with melasma, just remember that you must have sunscreen on at all times. Even the smallest amount of sun can flare this condition. Good luck!
Helpful