Laser Treatment for Melasma

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Lasers are often used to treat skin problems such as melasma. They work by damaging the top layers of skin promoting newer and healthy skin to grow in the place of the damaged skin. Over time, this can cause the discolouration of melasma to lessen in appearance. However, laser treatment should be considered as a last resort for stubborn melasma as it can worsen your condition by causing further skin damage.

Where to Get Laser Treatment for Melasma

If you are considering laser treatment for melasma the best place to start is with your GP. They will be able to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of laser treatment and recommend any alternatives that you have not yet considered. They will also be able to refer you to a dermatologist who can further assess your skin and recommend certain treatments over others.

When going for laser treatment you should always ensure that, you visit an experienced professional with a good reputation. Laser treatment can be dangerous as if performed wrongly it can leave you with burns and further discolouration.

You should always research the clinic that you are considering using. This involves asking to see before and after pictures, which can be extremely helpful in judging the work of the clinic. You should also ask to see patient testimonies. Once you have done this you should try to research the clinic on the internet looking for any reviews or complaints.

Fraxel Laser Treatment

Fraxel laser treatment is one of the most popular laser treatments for melasma. It is used to create several microscopic treatment areas. This means that the site of your melasma can be specifically targeted and the damage to your surrounding skin can be minimised.

Fraxel laser treatment usually takes three to five treatments, which are separated by two to four week intervals. As the treatment involves damaging the skin to promote new skin growth and collagen distribution, the results may not be fully visible for up to six months.

Fraxel laser treatment is performed using a local anaesthetic. Once this has been given, chance to numb your face the laser will be moved to imperfections on your skin, which are determined using a computer system. The procedure takes about half an hour, after which your skin will be cleaned. You should ensure that you wear a very high factor sun protection screen and keep your skin moisturised after treatment.

Intense Pulsed Light Laser Treatment (IPL)

As the name suggests intense pulsed light laser treatment, improves areas of discolouration by targeting them with an intense visible light. This does not cause any serious damage to the top layer of skin meaning that downtime is greatly reduced and in many cases is not necessary at all.

Intense pulsed light laser treatment does not normally require a local anaesthetic although it can sometimes be applied. You skin will be cooled after which light will be pulsed into your skin for twenty minutes. This causes the discoloured tissue to become damaged and during the healing process, this is replaced by healthier skin. It normally takes three to four treatments for the results to be acceptable, although this varies based on the intensity and stubbornness of your melasma.

Pixel Laser Treatment

Pixel laser treatment uses a high- energy light beam to damage the inner layers of skin promoting healthy skin to grow free from discolouration. This can be effective in permanently removing discolouration, although if you have a further outbreak of melasma more discolourations may appear. The area targeted can be highly specific limiting the damage to the surrounding skin.

During the procedure, the laser will be guided over the damaged areas of skin by the practitioner this can take up to half an hour. Most people do not require any downtime and experience only mild discomfort throughout the procedure. Treatment for melasma usually requires three to five sessions, which are spaced with gaps of three to four weeks. Depending on the severity of your melasma, you may require further treatments.

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