Should I keep get monthly Clear + Brilliant session for melasma or space them out?

Question

I’ve done 6 sessions of the Permea Clear and Brilliant for melasma. Looking at the before and after, my melasma has faded a little, but it’s minimal - especially given the price. I’m curious if you recommend I keep treating monthly to see if the fading continues or if I should space them out longer to see if that helps?

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

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have already undergone six sessions of Clear and Brilliant and have noticed only minimal fading of your melasma, it might be worth discussing your concerns and treatment options with a dermatologist or a skincare professional who specializes in melasma. They can evaluate your specific situation, assess the effectiveness of the treatments you've received so far, and provide recommendations on the best course of action.

In some cases, combining Clear and Brilliant with other treatment modalities, such as topical creams or chemical peels, may yield better results. Alternatively, your healthcare provider may suggest spacing out the treatments or trying a different approach altogether, depending on the severity and characteristics of your melasma.

Best of luck !

Susan Van Dyke, MD · Answer

I absolutely love Clear and Brilliant for melasma. I generally recommend monthly treatments with the addition of 4 % hydroquinone topically.  If the skin is inflamed or irritated, it is best to calm that down first.  I see very irritated skin when patients are over treated with strong topicals like 8% hydroquinone, especially when combined with retinoids and exfoliants.  The key to treating melasma is to be gentle, with treatments and with topical skin care.
Multiple treatments are needed and then maintenance maybe every 3 months or so.  There is no real cure for melasma, but it can be managed.
It is crucial to avoid sun (SPF 50 or greater and hats, help). Other things that aggravate melasma are heat and irritating skin creams.
You may have some redness with your melasma and addressing that as well will also help.

Should I keep get monthly Clear + Brilliant session for melasma or space them out?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Clear and Brilliant

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

Should I keep get monthly Clear + Brilliant session for melasma or space them out?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Clear and Brilliant

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