Rosacea or Melasma? Looking for answers or suggestions and the best treatment options for my condition. (photos)

Question

In the past couple yrs I have noticed that I have pink blotches on both sides of my cheek area. In some areas you can see that I have large broken vessels in my cheek area. I've notice when I get sun on my face it's tends to turn darker and darker, it becomes a brownish color also above my lip it will tend to get darker (no pinkness above my lip) I have seen two Estheticians. And to be honest they don't sound real confident that it's one or the other. I recently started using tretinoin.

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

Sally Booth, MD · Answer

What you are describing, in my opinion, sounds like you may have a combination of rosacea and melasma.  The pink blotchiness on the cheeks along with the broken blood vessels is very common with rosacea.  However, the pink blotchiness could also be due to the use of the tretinoin.  The brownish discoloration above the upper lip is also common in patients with melasma.  I recommend that you consult with a board certified dermatologist for an evaluation and treatment options.  For both conditions, I recommend the use of sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection with at least an SPF of 30.  I hope this helps.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

Rosacea consists of redness, spider veins and perhaps pimples.  Melasma consists of brown patches that can occur on areas such as the cheeks and upper lip with sun exposure.  You should consult a board certified dermatologist who can diagnose your problems and suggest appropriate treatment options.

Rosacea or Melasma? Looking for answers or suggestions and the best treatment options for my condition. (photos)

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Rosacea or Melasma? Looking for answers or suggestions and the best treatment options for my condition. (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

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