MELASMA: MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK

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Melasma is often referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” and may affect more than half of all pregnant women. Melasma is a condition of the skin in which patients experience hyperpigmentation on areas of the face and neck. Of course, not all patients are pregnant, nor are all patients female. Melasma seems to be related to changes in hormonal activity, specifically increases in estrogen. This is why women going through pregnancy, taking birth control medications, or hormone replacement therapy are among those most often affected. These estrogens excite cells in the skin responsible for producing pigment, called melanocytes. Because it is not a normal process, the changes in pigment appear unnatural, and are not evenly distributed.

Patients who suffer from Melasma should understand that it is a very common condition that is in no way harmful and is that the condition is in no way contagious. Figures put those affected by Melasma in the US alone at more than 6 million. While the majority of sufferers are women, approximately one in ten sufferers is male. Though the condition is not harmful or physically problematic, it does cause cosmetic concerns and can lead to self esteem issues.

How to Prevent Melasma

Patients suffering from Malasma can do their part to minimize the effects of the condition by maintaining a healthy and regular skin care routine including regular exfoliation. At home exfoliation as well as professional medical applications like microdermabrasion and chemical peels will increase the efficacy of any Melasma-specific treatments. Melasma sufferers should do their best to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight and should always wear a sun block rated at least SPF 15 or 30.

Melasma Treatment Options

Melasma can be treated in several ways. Avalon Laser offers laser therapy treatments that make use of pulsed high frequency energy to treat the condition at the source. This method treats the tissue beneath the surface and is one of the most immediate remedies for patients suffering from the condition and related pigment disorders. Laser treatment for Malasma has shown to be one of the safest and most effective ways to deal with the condition and it does not carry the long list of possible side effects present in oral medications, nor does it offer only potential improvements as is the case with OTC skin lightening creams. Of course the staff at Avalon Laser believes that laser treatments from Dr. Tirgari are the best method of treatments and it is because we have personally seen so many patients achieve truly outstanding results.

Call or visit us today and we’ll let you know what we can do for you.