Hi, I am on my 3rd Picosure laser treatment for my Melasma. Recently I started using Neo Strata's 15% AHA Gel Plus at home, in hope of lightening the melasma further while i'm on Picosure. But after 2 weeks, I noticed the Melasma darkening slightly... I read up that AHA and Retin-A are meant to assist in lightening Melasma. So can we actually use it in conjunction with Pico lasers? Or should i only use them after I've completed Pico? Please advise, Thank you very much.
Answer: AHA after Picosure Thank you for your question. Melasma is a strange bird to treat. With that being said, the best modality that I have found for treatment is the Picosure Focus Lens. I do tell patients that they should use tretinoin (generic retin A) along with a bleaching agent such as hydroquinone/or azaleic acid, starting a month before and continuing through treatment (with holidays from the hydroquinone). Your alpha hydroxy acid, will help to increase cell turnover similar to some degree as a retinoic acid and can be utilized post treatment. Post picosure focus lens treatment, the pigment will absorb the laser energy and turn darker for 1-3 weeks and then begin to lighten. The one aspect I watch for is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation as some melasma patients can experience this. We recommend treatments every 4-6 weeks to watch for any development of PIH. Please wear your sunscreen as well (tinted is the best for melasma patients). Hope that helps! Dr. Saluja
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Answer: AHA after Picosure Thank you for your question. Melasma is a strange bird to treat. With that being said, the best modality that I have found for treatment is the Picosure Focus Lens. I do tell patients that they should use tretinoin (generic retin A) along with a bleaching agent such as hydroquinone/or azaleic acid, starting a month before and continuing through treatment (with holidays from the hydroquinone). Your alpha hydroxy acid, will help to increase cell turnover similar to some degree as a retinoic acid and can be utilized post treatment. Post picosure focus lens treatment, the pigment will absorb the laser energy and turn darker for 1-3 weeks and then begin to lighten. The one aspect I watch for is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation as some melasma patients can experience this. We recommend treatments every 4-6 weeks to watch for any development of PIH. Please wear your sunscreen as well (tinted is the best for melasma patients). Hope that helps! Dr. Saluja
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Answer: Picosure and AHAs After a laser treatment, the skin is distressed and inflamed. Best to avoid AHA and retinols for a week until the skin has fully healed. Excess inflammation increases the risk of melasma flare up and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
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Answer: Picosure and AHAs After a laser treatment, the skin is distressed and inflamed. Best to avoid AHA and retinols for a week until the skin has fully healed. Excess inflammation increases the risk of melasma flare up and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
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August 21, 2018
Answer: Melasma is difficult condition to treat. Thank you for your question! Melasma is difficult condition to treat. Picsure can help with your scars and dark spots, but I usually advise combination of treatments. Picosure treatment will not prevent further spots from occurring. I would suggest you to make an appointment with an expert when it comes to treating melisma so you can get examined and receive personalized treatment. Best of luck!
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August 21, 2018
Answer: Melasma is difficult condition to treat. Thank you for your question! Melasma is difficult condition to treat. Picsure can help with your scars and dark spots, but I usually advise combination of treatments. Picosure treatment will not prevent further spots from occurring. I would suggest you to make an appointment with an expert when it comes to treating melisma so you can get examined and receive personalized treatment. Best of luck!
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March 10, 2017
Answer: Picosure for Melasma Thank you for your question. I believe that Picosure laser is the best laser to treat melasma. I would suggest stop using this medication 3 days before your treatment. Remember that temporary darkening after treatment can occur, but should fade. It is important to use sunblock, because with sun exposure there is a chance of the melasma returning. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!
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March 10, 2017
Answer: Picosure for Melasma Thank you for your question. I believe that Picosure laser is the best laser to treat melasma. I would suggest stop using this medication 3 days before your treatment. Remember that temporary darkening after treatment can occur, but should fade. It is important to use sunblock, because with sun exposure there is a chance of the melasma returning. I recommend having a consultation with an expert to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!
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March 5, 2017
Answer: AHA and retin A are also helpful with the picosure laser the Picosure laser is the best laser on the market for melasma. you should stop them 3 days before a laser treatment at least. You can get a temporary darkening after the Pico treatment that should fade but keep an eye on it and let your dr know if it is behaving differentlysuper important that you use a good sunblock because no matter what treatment you use, if you get much sun exposure, there is a good chance that the melasma could return.david berman md
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March 5, 2017
Answer: AHA and retin A are also helpful with the picosure laser the Picosure laser is the best laser on the market for melasma. you should stop them 3 days before a laser treatment at least. You can get a temporary darkening after the Pico treatment that should fade but keep an eye on it and let your dr know if it is behaving differentlysuper important that you use a good sunblock because no matter what treatment you use, if you get much sun exposure, there is a good chance that the melasma could return.david berman md
Helpful 1 person found this helpful