Myriad Treatment Options For Melasma And Hyperpigmentation, Tailored To Your Needs In Bend, OR
TREATMENT STARTS WITH AN EVALUATION
Have “summer-time” freckles become year-round features of your face? Perhaps you’ve noticed bigger, dark spots for the first time. Maybe large grayish-brown splotches refuse to fade. From freckles to age spots and melasma, “hyperpigmentation,” or areas that are darker than the surrounding skin, can describe a number of different conditions. Effective melasma and hyperpigmentation treatment in Bend starts with an evaluation. The providers at EsthetixMD Med Spa & Laser Center are adept at getting to the root of troublesome spots that can detract from your appearance and confidence.
Solar Lentigines (“Age Spots”)
SUN DAMAGE IS TO BLAME
Flat spots that are tan, brown, or black are common among people aged 40 and older. Yet, “age” spots are not limited to individuals “of a certain age.” It’s estimated that sun damage is to blame for around 90% of skin aging.
When your skin isn’t protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen from Ultraviolet light produced by the sun’s rays or artificial sources, such as tanning beds, clusters of dark pigment or melanin clump together. This can result in areas where your skin tone appears darker. Hyperpigmentation tends to develop in those areas that are exposed to UV light, such as the face, arms, chest, neck, shoulders, back, thighs, and calves.
Melasma Or Chloasma
Melasma is chronic pigmentation caused by hormones UV exposure and heat. Though it can’t be cured, Melasma treatment success is usually achieved through a comprehensive approach that includes suppression and prevention, correction, and ongoing maintenance and management. The optimal melasma treatment will depend on the type of melasma you have. The best treatment for your melasma will depend on the type of melasma you exhibit, and your skin type (skin color). The majority of patients will have mixed melasma- this means your pigmentation lies on the surface as well as deeper in the dermal layers of your skin. The best method of treating this form of melasma is with a combination of creams, gentle chemical peels and laser.
Suppression and prevention:
Achieved with medical-grade skin-care products that may include retinol and lightening agents we carry both prescriptive and all-natural melanin suppressants. To minimize unexpected rebounds due to external UV-light, hormones or heat.
Correction:
Diagnosis via an in-depth skin analysis with one of our experienced medical professionals to determine whether use of a depigmentation peel such as Cosmelan or TCA peels at very low concentration or an FDA approved lasers is appropriate for you– such as our Picosecond skin toning laser that triggers a process that disrupts clusters of melanin/pigment. Gentle fractional lasers such as Clear and Brilliant/ Permea, target superficial pigment and increase penetration of topical melanin suppressants. Low energy high density Fraxel can benefit dermal melasma greatly. Cool air (Zimmer) is applied to the skin during and after treatments to help minimize heat, which can influence pigment production in the skin, and to aid in patient comfort.
Ongoing maintenance:
You can help prevent melasma from reappearing through proper prevention, accomplished with the use of a medical-grade sunscreen and a physical sunblock. Following pre and post-care is crucial to the management of melasma.
- It tends to appear as gray-brown patches, not just shades of brown.
- Appears as blotches that are particularly prevalent on the face; for instance, sides of the cheeks, forehead, nasal bridge, chin, and above the lips.
- Individuals with darker skin tones are at an elevated risk of developing due to the presence of more active melanin-producing cells in their skin (melanocytes).
Another way that melasma is differentiated from other forms of dark discoloration is its prevalence among women; only 10% of melasma sufferers are men. In fact, melasma is so associated with pregnant women that it is called the “pregnancy mask.” When pregnant women develop it, melasma is called “chloasma.” Hormonal changes due to pregnancy and birth control pills, as well as sun exposure, are thought to trigger melasma.
The best way to properly diagnose melasma is through a professional consultation. Call EsthetixMD today and schedule your Bend Melasma and Hyperpigmentation treatment.
Treatment
MELASMA MAY FADE WITHOUT TREATMENT
We have a wide range of clinically proven techniques, technologies, and products to recommend for superficial to deep dermal stubborn melasma and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Depending on your needs, you may benefit from a light-based therapy that targets the melanin pigment in the skin precisely and predictably.
At EsthetixMD your result is our reason. So, we take investments in effective technology seriously. Our picosecond laser system fires very rapid and ultra-short pulses to break up melanin among those patients with solar lentigines and melasma. Additionally, for treatment of melasma, patients may benefit from:
Chemical Resurfacing: This may include chemical peels, which often include chemical exfoliators such as glycolic acid, kojic acid, azelaic acid, and more to remove pigmented skin cells.
Mechanical resurfacing: This may include laser resurfacing, microneedling, and more to remove damaged skin cells and promote unblemished, new skin.
Medications: Medications and topical products may help to fade spots.
Clear + Brilliant: FDA Approved – minimal downtime, creating tiny controlled injuries to trigger collagen production. It addresses fine lines, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, and early signs of aging across all skin types.
Fraxel Laser: FDA Approved – uses narrow energy beams to heat deeper skin layers, stimulating collagen remodeling and new skin cell growth. It effectively treats aging, sun-damaged, or scarred skin by improving overall tone and texture.
Picosecond Laser: FDA Approved – uses ultra-short energy pulses to target skin imperfections like freckles, blemishes, and tattoos. It stimulates collagen production by breaking down pigment particles with minimal surrounding tissue damage.
Our experienced medical providers will also work with you to develop a preventive skin care regimen that keeps new spots from forming or hyperpigmentation from reappearing.
A Final Note
Some of the aforementioned approaches may be effective at lifting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by past acne outbreaks or other trauma to the skin.
While most of the skin darkening mentioned here may be embarrassing or annoying, it is typically not a source of alarm. However, some types of skin cancer can resemble bigger freckles or solar lentigines. It’s important to have your skin examined regularly, especially if you have noticed any changes in the size, color, or shape of a spot or if it feels different, for instance, sudden itching or tenderness.
What EsthetixMD Offers
Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes melasma?
- How do you get rid of melasma?
- What age does melasma usually affect?
- How long does it take to get rid of melasma?
- What is melasma?
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