What is MELASMA?
At Advanced Aesthetics, we understand that skin conditions like melasma can be more than just a cosmetic concern—they can affect your confidence and how you feel in your own skin.
Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by dark, discolored facial patches typically on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin, and above the upper lip. These patches are usually symmetrical and can also appear on other body parts that are exposed to the sun, such as the forearms and neck.
Hormonal changes are the primary cause of melasma, so it's frequently associated with pregnancy. However, it can also be triggered by factors like birth control pills, hormone therapy, and thyroid dysfunction.
While melasma can affect anyone, it's particularly common in women and those with darker skin tones. Sun exposure also plays a significant role, as UV rays can aggravate the condition by stimulating melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin.
We understand that navigating melasma treatment options can be overwhelming, which is why we're here to guide you every step of the way. Our approach is not just about treating the symptoms—it's about understanding the root causes and providing comprehensive care that addresses your skin's overall health and well-being.
What Treatments Are Offered for Melasma?
At Advanced Aesthetics, we offer a range of treatments tailored to reduce the appearance of melasma and restore your skin's natural beauty. From topical treatments and chemical peels to advanced laser therapy, our expert team is dedicated to finding the best solution for you.
SkinPen
SkinPen, the first FDA-cleared microneedling device, is designed to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and facial and body scars. When combined with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), the treatment's effectiveness is enhanced.
This combination is particularly effective for melasma because it promotes faster healing, evens out skin tone, reduces pigmentation, improves skin texture, and rejuvenates the skin from within.
Clear + Brilliant Touch
Clear & Brilliant Touch is an advanced laser treatment designed to address skin tone, texture, and overall appearance. It's an ideal option for melasma sufferers thanks to its gentle approach, which minimizes the risk of triggering more pigment production, a common concern with more intense laser treatments.
This treatment uses fractional laser technology to create millions of microscopic treatment zones in the upper layers of the skin, replacing damaged skin with healthy, younger-looking tissue. It's particularly effective for treating melasma because it targets the skin's surface, helping to improve texture and tone with minimal downtime.
Fraxel Dual
The Fraxel Dual laser is a type of fractional laser used for skin rejuvenation and treatment of various skin conditions by delivering tiny, evenly spaced laser beams to the skin.
The laser energy creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to trigger the body's natural healing response. This process stimulates collagen production and promotes the growth of new, healthy skin cells to:
- Treat fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduce acne scars
- Improve skin texture and tone
- Rejuvenate and revitalize skin
- Correct pigmentation issues
Fraxel Dual utilizes two wavelengths of laser energy to target different layers of the skin, providing both superficial and deep treatment:
- 1550 nm: This wavelength penetrates deeper into the skin, targeting issues such as wrinkles, acne scars, and deeper pigmentation.
- 1927 nm: This wavelength targets more superficial concerns, including sun damage, age spots, uneven skin tone and melasma.
The Fraxel Dual laser allows for customizable treatment parameters, including the intensity and depth of the laser beams, to address your individual skin concerns and help you achieve your desired outcomes.
BioRePeel CL3
BioRePeel CL3 is a cutting-edge chemical peel treatment designed to address various skin concerns, including melasma. This innovative peel combines exfoliating and rejuvenating properties to improve skin tone and texture while promoting overall skin health.
BioRePeel CL3 works by gently removing the outer layers of the skin, stimulating cellular turnover, and encouraging the production of new collagen and elastin. This process helps to:
- Diminish the appearance of melasma and hyperpigmentation
- Enhance skin radiance and glow
- Improve skin texture and smoothness
- Minimize fine lines and wrinkles
The BioRePeel CL3 treatment is suitable for all skin types and requires minimal downtime, making it an excellent option for those seeking effective and convenient skin rejuvenation.
At Advanced Aesthetics, our experienced providers will customize the treatment to address your unique skin concerns and help you get a clearer, more even complexion.
What Is the Treatment Time for Minimizing Melasma?
Navigating the path to clearer skin requires patience and expertise, especially when dealing with melasma. At Advanced Aesthetics, we're dedicated to offering treatments and solutions that fit into your life seamlessly.
Understanding the timeline for treatments like SkinPen and Clear + Brilliant Touch can help set realistic expectations and prepare you for a successful journey to skin rejuvenation.
SkinPen
- Treatment Duration: Each SkinPen session lasts about 60 - 90 minutes.
- Number of Sessions: We recommend three to six treatments, spaced about four to six weeks apart, for optimal results. The exact number will depend on your skin's condition and response to the initial treatments.
- Seeing Results: While you may notice some improvement in skin texture and tone shortly after the first treatment, significant results in melasma reduction typically become visible after completing the recommended series of sessions. Skin regeneration and improvement will continue for months after the treatments.
Clear + Brilliant Touch
- Treatment Duration: Each Clear & Brilliant Touch session is quick, typically around lasts about 60 - 90 minutes, making it an ideal "lunchtime" procedure.
- Frequency of Treatments: To achieve the best results, we may suggest four to six treatments spaced at least four weeks apart. This timeline allows your skin to heal and regenerate between sessions.
- Results Timeline: Many clients report seeing visible improvements after two to three sessions, with cumulative results becoming more pronounced with each treatment. As with SkinPen PRP, the full benefits for melasma will continue to develop in the weeks following your treatments.
What Is the Price for Melasma Treatment?
At Advanced Aesthetics, we believe in providing clear, upfront information about the cost of treatments, empowering you to make informed decisions about your skincare journey.
To address melasma, we offer cutting-edge solutions like SkinPen and Clear + Brilliant Touch, designed to deliver effective results tailored to your skin's needs. Understanding the investment required for these treatments is important in planning your path to a clearer complexion.
- SkinPen: The cost for each SkinPen session is $425, depending on your skin's specific needs and the area being treated. For comprehensive melasma management, we often recommend three to six treatments spaced about a month apart. Patients can also add on regenerative treatments such as PRP for $300 ($725 total) or exosomes for $350 ($775 total). Packages are also available, providing a cost-effective option for those requiring multiple sessions.
- Clear + Brilliant Touch: Each facial treatment session is $425. Like SkinPen, getting the best results typically requires a series of treatments, with most clients benefiting from four to six sessions. Package deals can offer savings when you commit to a full treatment plan upfront.
- Fraxel Dual: Facial treatments start at $1000. It's important to note that multiple treatment sessions may be required to achieve optimal results. Like our other melasma treatments, you can package your treatments upfront to save on your overall treatment.
What Are the Side Effects of Melasma Treatment?
SkinPen, Clear & Brilliant Touch, and Fraxel Dual are designed with patient safety and comfort. However, as with any cosmetic procedure, there are potential side effects that, while typically mild and temporary, are important to consider:
- Redness and Swelling: Both treatments’ most common side effect is mild to moderate redness and swelling in the treated area, resembling a sunburn. This usually subsides within a few hours to a few days after treatment.
- Sensitivity: You may experience increased sensitivity in the treated area. This is normal and generally diminishes within a few days.
- Bruising: In some cases, especially with SkinPen, when combined with PRP, there might be minimal bruising. This is rare and should resolve quickly.
- Dryness and Flaking: You may notice some dryness and flaking as your skin heals and regenerates. This is a positive sign of the treatment process and can be managed with moisturizers recommended by our team.
Ideal Candidates for Melasma Treatments
You might be an ideal candidate for our melasma treatments if you identify with the following:
- You have noticeable patches of darker skin.
- You're looking for non-invasive options.
- You have realistic expectations.
- You're committed to a comprehensive skincare routine.