My melasma doesn't go away. Tried tri-luma before. My dermatologist put me on Tazorac and Finacea. Will this help? (Photo)

Question

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Dark pigmentation on the skin can be due to melasma, age spots, and sun damage. Melasma is a specific hormonally-influenced skin condition in which pigmentation is deposited by overactive pigment cells in your skin. 
  
In our office, we individualize treatments for melasma and skin discoloration based on skin type, skin complexion, hormonal influences, and ethnicity. 
  
Treatments for melasma begin with Melarase creams as follows: 
  
MelaClenz
  Melarase AM
  Melarase PM
  Melapads
  Replenish Retinoid Cream
  Additional therapies include fractional laser, fractional RF, Covalent peels, and LED microneedling with Replenish serum. The video demonstrates the clear and brilliant laser that is used alongside Melarase creams. 
  
Best, 
  
Dr. Karamanoukian
  
Realself100 Surgeon

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thanks for your post. Vitamin A an azealic acid can reduce pigmentation (vitamin A more so than the later).Have you tried low fluence lasers?

Melasma is one of the more difficult conditions to treat.
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.

In some cases I combine glycolic AHA peels, and in other
cases I use a tablet called Tranexamic acid to help.

All the best,

Dr Davin Lim

Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist

Brisbane, Australia

My melasma doesn't go away. Tried tri-luma before. My dermatologist put me on Tazorac and Finacea. Will this help? (Photo)

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My melasma doesn't go away. Tried tri-luma before. My dermatologist put me on Tazorac and Finacea. Will this help? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Laser Resurfacing

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