Understanding Melasma and Your Treatment Options

Understanding Melasma and Your Treatment Options 65f352157326a.jpeg
Approximately 90% of people who develop melasma are women, and many struggle with how it changes their complexion. If you’re unhappy with the splotchy, spotty appearance of your face, a professional can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need. 

At Skin Deep Laser MD in Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Riehm and her team offer PicoSure® laser treatments to even out skin tone and minimize melasma visibility. If aging, pregnancy, or sun exposure has left you with blotchy skin, we can help you eliminate the extra pigmentation. Your face is the first thing you see when you look in the mirror, and you deserve to enjoy the view.

What is melasma?

Melasma is a skin condition that develops over time. Melasma is more common among women, especially those with darker skin. Among pregnant women, it is referred to as chloasma or the “mask of pregnancy.” The most common melasma symptom is a spotty, splotchy darkening of the skin over your cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin.

The severity of melasma varies from person to person. While one woman might experience a mild “freckling” of melasma, another might suffer from dark, noticeable patches and spots. Sometimes melasma can resolve, but you might need treatment from a dermatologist or skin-care professional to help the brown or tan spots fade.

Melasma can be caused by many factors, including:

  • Aging
  • Pregnancy
  • Hormones
  • Stress
  • Sun exposure

What are my treatment options?

Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation. You can help prevent melasma from worsening by using sunscreen with zinc oxide as an ingredient and avoiding excess sun exposure by wearing a hat.

Once your melasma has been properly diagnosed, your doctor might suggest various treatment options. If your melasma is mild, it might be successfully treated using topical creams. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and other professional treatments are also options.

At Skin Deep Laser MD, we provide PicoSure laser therapy to help lighten or eliminate melasma. PicoSure treatments require no downtime and deliver near-immediate results. Within a few sessions, your melasma may be completely invisible.

Your treatments will be given by a trained professional, and you can return to work immediately after. Tender skin and redness are the two main side effects, and it’s recommended that you wear sunscreen devotedly after your treatment.

If you’re interested in PicoSure laser therapy for melasma, you can learn more by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Riehm. To get in touch, call Skin Deep Laser MD at 817-263-7546 or book an appointment online.

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