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What's the best way to get rid of melasma?

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Asked by: Anonymous

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1
July 13, 2008

Melasma

Kris M. Reddy, MD
Kris M. Reddy, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

Melasma is an extremely difficult condition to combat consistently.

Limited sun exposure and its effects through a good sunscreen helps.

Fraxel and Erbium laser provides significant improvement for a good percentage of patients, although some patients will find no or little improvement from these modalities.

Consult with an experienced and licensed physician who can explain more thoroughly your options and likelihood of success. 

Good luck and good health.

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2
April 20, 2008

The best way to get rid of melasma is to stay out of the sun.

Robert Swanson, MD
Robert Swanson, MD

Melasma is a poorly understood disorder of too much melanin. In some people it is easy to treat by standard methods of photo-protection:

  • Stay out of the sun
  • Use a good sunscreen

In other people, no matter what we do it won't go away. But even in those people, avoidance of the sun's ultra violet (UV) light is beneficial.

There are numerous chemical and light based treatments for melasma, but photo-protection is the corner stone for all of them; and it's done by the patient and not by the doctor.

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3
February 8, 2008

Treatment of melasma is always difficult

Stephen Nightingale, M.D.
Stephen Nightingale, M.D.

I have found, as have most physicians who treat melasma, that nothing is a sure bet. We have used IPL, erbium lasers, q-switch lasers, photodynamic therapy with levulon as well as multiple topical preparations, all with limited success.

I have found that the most effective therapy has been with topicals, such as Epiquin Micro by Skin Medica combined with the 1064 q-switch laser. The 1064 q-switch is designed to treat dark dermal pigmented lesions and as a result seems to lighten melasma. It takes multiple treatments, but it does work. A maintenance program with high quality cosmeceuticals including Epiquin Micro, a laser treatment every 3-4 months, and most importantly, sun protection with both an SPF and sunblock will give you a good chance at controling your melasma.

Good Luck!

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