Laser Failure - United Kingdom
After much research of various clinics etc, I...
After much research of various clinics etc, I booked an appoinment to have my melasma looked at to see if laser treatment would help. I felt very reassured by clinic, after my initial assessment I was told their was a very good chance that the laser treatment could really improve my melasma.
I had my first treatment in June 2010. The laser used was the AFT-570 Pulsed Light. I found this treatment very gentle, just a slight tingling sensation across my face. Afterwards the areas treated were slightly red, I was given a Thiospot Roller to use on the treated areas, and also an oxygenated cream to use during the day. I had my second treatment in July 2010, again using the same AFT-570, and the same after care products. Again no significant discomfort or down time. At the end of July 2010, I had another assessment at the clinic, and as I had not had any obvious improvement in the condition of my melasma, they changed the laser to a Harmony Pixel Laser.
I found this treatment very distressing. During the treatment my face was extremely hot and I did feel some pain. However, I was assured that this was quite normal. After the treatment a gel was applied. When I looked in a mirror at the clinic I burst into tears. I had these grid like patterns all over my forehead and around my eyes. The were very red and I looked just awful. I had to leave the clinic like this, and my family were totally shocked when they saw me. I looked like I had been burnt.
I persevered with the same aftercare routine as before and after about 10 days the redness did start to reduce, however, I could see that the melasma patches were actually larger than before and also darker. I visited the clinic and was again assured that this was perfectly fine and that all would settle in time, and then I would notice an improvement. It is nearly 18 months since I had this treatment, and I regret it every day. I have not had any improvement at all, just larger areas of melasma. I still had a slight grid type pattern underneath my eye. I have seeked help from a dermatologist, who told me the best thing to do would be to continue with the use of a good sunscreen, which I had been doing anyway. Any product I use on my face has sunscreen. I wear a hat during the summer months and try to stay in shaded areas. Nothing has worked for my melasma, but the worst treatment I tried was the laser.
Rachel.C's provider
Replies (72)
That can't be easy, again I'm sorry to hear you are having to deal with this. I'm not sure what brand of makeup you have tried but Laura Mercie has a really good concealer, and so does Cover FX. Unfortunately neither are very cheap, but they cover up red spots really well and tend to stay on, of course I can't say if they will work for the brown, but I would think they would. If you buy them at a store like Nordstrom or Sephora you can use them, then return them if they don't work for you.
Hopefully they will continue to fade as time passes. Please keep us posted how you are doing.
Hi Rachel,
I had exactly the same issue as you, except my dark patches are over my upper lip and chin, i look like a man. I just came from my 'New' dematologist and he was so upset that anyone would have put a patient with malasma under a laser. He has prescribed me with RetinA Micro .04% and 6% hydroquionone, and I have researched them an much success in getting rid of the discoloration that we suffer with...if I can manage the redness and peeling skin for a couple of weeks, my whole face should be clear...then regular maintenance of sun screen (i use Nutrogena 110 spf) and it shouldnt come back. Just thought I would share as I cant believe someone else went through the same torture as me! :)
Thank you so much for posting the "This is what I have been left with" picture. If I look super hard I can see some brown above your left eye and below your right one, but in the photos it's really not that noticeable. That being said, when its on your own face any unwanted changes seem bad, so I understand why it would be so upsetting.
That's totally understandable. Sure, we always have to be thankful our situations are not worse, but that doesn't always make what we are dealing with easy. It sounds like you are doing a great job of trying to keep things in perspective though.
I too have melasma and my dermatologist did tell me that laser treatment is only temporary & the melasam will only return when I go out in the sun again. So, instead I just use the skin bleaching cream which does help, but makes my skin peel. Someone also told me about laura mercier concealer, which I tried. I did not think it did the trick, but I do use the laura mercier creme smooth foundation (LOVE it). For the concealer, try Amazing Cosmetics from the SkinStore - it has worked GREAT for me. Don't give up - we're our worst critics. Good Luck!
I'm so sorry you have had such a bad experience with this. The picture that you posted, was that right after the 3rd treatment, or was it a while after?
Hope things have improved some for you!
Wow, I'm so sorry to hear. Did the dermatologist think the brown spots would fade over time, or that they were a permanent change?