What to Expect From a Melasma Laser Treatment

Pregnancy is supposed to be a time of happy anticipation and healthy skin and hair. Increased levels of hormones and nutritional balance usually result in softer, smoother skin. 

But for some, instead of positive shifts in skin quality, brown or gray-ish patches appear around the face. Clinically known as melasma, this skin concern is common in women, though men may get it too. 

Today, we’re exploring this common issue and a new laser therapy treatment to help reduce its appearance. 

What is Melasma?

Melasma is a skin concern that presents as dark patches of skin hyperpigmentation. Primarily affecting women, it usually appears on the cheeks, chin, nose, forehead, and upper lip. It seems to affect pregnant people disproportionately. However, it can also affect those taking oral birth control or undergoing hormone replacement therapy.

What causes Melasma?

Skin can be affected by many different factors, both inside and outside the body. Many times, triggers come from a combination of genetics and the environment. Melasma is caused by an increase in the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. 

Melanocytes are stimulated by the hormones, which then produce higher amounts of melanin. It presents as dark brown or gray patches on the face. Pregnancy is a common trigger for the disorder, but it’s also caused by contraceptives and HRT. 

Other risk factors include family history, UV radiation exposure, cosmetics, and antiseizure medications.

What are the symptoms of Melasma?

Symptoms of this condition include patchy, mottled skin in different areas around the face. Sometimes, you may develop a sun mustache, which is a darkened patch of skin on your upper lip. Often confused for age spots, the symptoms tend to cover more of the face over time.

Because a combination of factors causes it, these darker regions can go deep into the layers of the epidermis. Doctors diagnosing the disorder often use a dermatoscope to help determine which treatment options will help.

Thankfully, you won’t feel itchy or experience pain from the skin condition. A more significant concern is the emotional distress it can cause those developing melasma patches. 

What are the benefits of laser therapy for Melasma?

Laser therapy is frequently used to target things like unwanted body hair or resurfacing treatments. However, several therapies effectively treat melasma by breaking up melanocytes under the skin’s surface.

Dark spots are targeted in laser therapy

Lasers don’t affect the tissues surrounding dark spots. They’re calibrated to target the melanocytes producing excess melanin. Many people see some improvement after the first session. But you’ll need three to four treatments for best results.

Laser therapy only targets the affected areas

While there are several different types of lasers used in this therapy, they all have one quality in common. They only target affected areas and leave the surrounding cells untouched. This focused treatment allows your provider to treat sensitive skin without causing damage.

Recovery time is minimal

If you’ve already tried lightening creams containing azelaic acid and chemical peels, laser therapy might be for you. Since only the affected areas are treated by the laser, the recovery time is faster than others. In most cases, you can return to your regular schedule as soon as your session is done! 

Of course, follow any aftercare instructions from your provider. It’s also essential to always wear sunscreen when you’ve had this therapy. To keep the spots from returning, you’ll always need to protect your skin from UV radiation.

What are the types of lasers involved in Melasma therapy?

Not every laser is suitable for treating melasma. In fact, some can even make the disorder worse by promoting hyperpigmentation. However, dermatologists and med spas use several lasers safely to treat this disorder.

PicoSure Lasers

Many lasers use heat to break up hyperpigmentation, a quality that can cause hyperpigmentation. PicoSure uses a different approach by transmitting pressure instead of heat energy. Procedures using this technology are quick and relatively painless. This is an excellent option for skin types and tones that might react badly to traditional laser therapies.

Fractional Resurfacing Lasers

Fractional lasers create microscopic holes in your skin to prompt the healing response. After a session with this technology, your skin cells grow back healthier. Unlike some other approaches, there’s a three to five-day recovery period, and a topical anesthetic is often necessary.

Q-Switch Lasers

Q-Switch or The Spectra sends energy directly into the skin to break up melanin into small particles. These particles are then removed as waste by the body. This approach can have unwanted side effects, like hair bleaching, and may cause a stinging sensation.

The Esthetic Co. is here to help treat your Melasma with our top-tier laser therapy!

Treating your melasma with laser therapy is easy at The Esthetic Co. We use our Aerolase technology, which transmits heat energy into the targeted areas. Utilizing a short pulse duration the energy is emitted and out of the skin before it registers as heat. This technology is safe for all skin types and won’t cause hyperpigmentation or prolonged recovery periods. The team at The Esthetic Co is ready to help you reclaim your complexion and live life with renewed confidence!

Check out our full menu of services and book a consultation for your melasma treatment today.