Melasma

We created this page to share more information specific to Melasma or blotchy colored skin.

Deeper in skin layers are skin cells that produce melanin which is the color. White people have less melanin than people with dark skin. If a white person spends time in the sun their skin will produce more melanin which is the Tan.

Melasma is caused by skin cells that over-produce too much melanin. This is why Melasma makes skin look darker or blotchy colored in the area of the Melasma.

Melasma cannot be 100% cleared but it can be faded so blends with the rest of the skin and is less noticeable.

Here is at least one method for causing Melasma to fade and blend.

1 - A 1064 wavelength Pico laser can be used to treat the Melasma. At a lower power setting the 1064 Pico laser passes through the skin surface and impacts the cells deeper in the layers were the Melasma is created.

The plan is to affect the skin cells that produce too much melanin and cause them to relax and produce less melanin.

2 - As skin cells at the surface naturally die and are replaced by new skin, there is less melanin so the area of Melasma lightens over time.

3 - Lasers must be combined with skin lightening cream. A problem with skin lightening creams is many make false claims to get people to buy. And,  prescription skin lightening creams used by themselves are not very effective at fading melasma.

When a laser is used to treat the source of melasma deeper in the skin and a proper quality skin lightening cream is used on the skin surface, the combination can be more effective at lightening and blending melasma than just the laser or the cream by themselves.

4 - Warning: If a laser, too much sun or rough facial scrubs are used too aggressively melasma the skin cells that make the melanin can be inflamed and produce even more melanin which makes the melasma worse!

The best plan is a slow and safe treatment process.

An example is using the 1064 Picolaser at low power settings twice per month x 3 months and use a quality skin lightening cream every day. And, protect skin from sun with hats, clothes and 50 spf sun block.

After 3 months the skin lightening cream must be continued while the laser treatment can be reduced to once per month.

A good idea to add to this plan is to get a black carbon laser facial at same monthly appointment for the Pico laser to keep Melasma under control.

Here is a list of information on the correct ingredients for skin lightening creams. We may be able to offer you our products or you can use this information to find and purchase skin lightening creams.

This information is for a Non-Prescription product:

Azelaic acid + tranexamic acid + kojic acid + vitamin C

Sometimes one product may contain all of these ingredients. Other times a product may contain a few so you purchase 2 products and use them both. An example is a cream that contains Azelaic Acid and Tranexamic Acid and also a strong Vitamin C Serum like LaRoche on Amazon.

You can consult with your personal doctor and pharmacy to find out if you can purchase a prescription skin lightening cream with these ingredients.

Hydroquinone + tretinoin + corticosteroid such as Contizone is the combination with the strongest traditional evidence.