You know the telltale signs of melasma by the greyish-brown spots or patches that appear on your skin, often after years of sun exposure. You don’t have to tolerate these coloration changes as a natural effect of aging. At Skin Deep Laser MD located in Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Riehm and her team offer several options, including PicoSure® laser treatments to even out your tone and eliminate dark patches. To learn how you can benefit from this laser treatment, call the office or book an appointment using the online booking tool.
Melasma Q & A
What is melasma?
Melasma commonly occurs in women, although men can get the characteristic brown patches on their faces too. Usually, melasma appears on the cheeks, forehead, chin, bridge of the nose, or upper lip. If your forearms and neck have had a lot of sun exposure, they can also develop melasma.
What causes melasma?
Women develop melasma more often than men, likely due to hormones. It can often occur with pregnancy and is known as the “mask of pregnancy.” People with darker skin tones are also more likely to develop melasma and the skin discoloration seems to have a genetic component.
The exact cause of melasma isn’t entirely understood. It occurs when the melanocytes (pigment-generating cells) in your skin are overactive and produce too much pigment. This may be due to sun exposure, hormone changes, or certain skin care products.
How does PicoSure treat melasma?
The PicoSure laser uses different wavelengths of light to target each level of discoloration in your melasma. The darker-pigmented skin absorbs the light energy, and the color particles are broken down and then disposed of by your body’s natural cleansing processes.
The results of PicoSure laser treatments are visible immediately after treatment, but you’ll see continued improvement with regular follow-up sessions. Dr. Riehm and her team can set up a schedule to meet your aesthetic goals.
Does PicoSure laser treatment hurt?
The PicoSure laser can cause mild discomfort, but most people tolerate treatment quite well. The revolutionary non-ablative, fractionated picosecond technology means treatment times are faster than other common lasers, so you have less time under the laser energy.
You may have some pinkness or redness to your skin immediately following treatment, but this discoloration will fade within a few hours after treatment.
How much downtime will I need following the PicoSure treatment for melasma?
There’s no need for days or weeks of recovery following PicoSure laser treatment. You can return to your normal schedule immediately. You should take extra special care to wear sunscreen following the laser treatment, as your skin is temporarily more sensitive. Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is a good practice anyway.
To learn how your melasma can be addressed with PicoSure laser treatment, or other options, contact Skin Deep Laser MD by phone or book an appointment online.
