Is there anything I can use to prevent melasma from coming back during 1 month rest of hydroquinone 8% on my face?

Question

I have been using hydroquinone 8% pads on my face for melasma in which has given me positive results while on it. I give my face 30 day rest as suggested by doctors but in those 30 days it seems to come back almost to the same way I started. Is there anything that i can use in the 30 day rest period to maintain my face melasma free =( I am desperate! Thanks in advance

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Wear sunscreen, avoid hormonal exposure, and start Melarase creams to help reduce the pigmentation on the face from melasma. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, 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 (Cool Laser) to get the best results. See an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Melasma requires ongoing preventative care with topicals and avoidance of BCP, sun exposure, use of wide spectrum UV protection and sun block (Spectrase). I recommend Melarase cream for daily use.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

You must use diligent sun protection and speak to your dermatologist to see if you are a candidate for other fading ingredients such as tretinoin or kojic acid preparations.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

the Picosure laser is the most advanced way to treat melasma. however, it will often come back unless . you use a powerful sunscreen. a good plastic surgeon or dermatologist's office will have a number of excellent skin creams to help with the treatment but the picolaser will do the best job of treating and improving your entire face (and neck and decollete and hands) but it is not your only option. good luckdavid berman md

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

Melasma can not be completely cured, however effective treatment are possible. This is because your skin is extremely sensitive to UV and even the smallest amount can stimulate your pigment cells to produce colour. The mainstay of treatment is strict UV protection- hats, sunglasses and SPF every 4 hours.

I prefer to use a combination of creams and laser for melasma. Hydroquinone can be used (5-8%), along with vitamin A creams. I usually start my patients on laser (low dose Q switch or Picosure) a few weeks after they commence on creams. Another laser I use is the Clear and Brilliant in the Permea setting combined with creams.

In some cases I combine glycolic AHA peels, and in other cases I use a tablet called Tranexamic acid to help. Melasma treatments should be tailored to each patient.

All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist. Brisbane, Australia

Is there anything I can use to prevent melasma from coming back during 1 month rest of hydroquinone 8% on my face?

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