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Melasma Treatment in Tallahassee

Often referred to as a pregnancy mask, melasma is caused by the overproduction of melanocytes, the color-producing cells. Because people with darker skin have more active melanocytes than fair-skinned people, they are more prone to melasma. 

The signs are brown or blue-gray patches on the face. They may look somewhat like freckles. You will most likely find these patches on your forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip, or chin. 

Three kinds of melasma exist:

  1.   Epidermal Melasma – You can identify this by its well-defined border and dark brown coloration.
  2.   Dermal Melasma – This kind of melasma has a light brown or blueish color. Its border will be blurred rather than defined.
  3.   Mixed Melasma – This melasma will have bluish and brown patches. It is the most common of the three kinds. 

Melasma is much more prevalent for women, as just 10 percent of people with melasma are men.  If you suffer from melasma or know someone who does, give Dermatology Specialists a call today and see what treatment options are available for you.

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What Causes Melasma?

The cause of melasma is unclear, but it can be triggered by:

Hormonal Changes – Melasma is common in pregnant women, in which case people may refer to it as the pregnancy mask. It can also be caused by hormone replacement treatments and birth control pills.

Sun Exposure – Sufferers often find that melasma is worse in summer. This is because the sun’s ultraviolet light stimulates melanocytes. When melasma fades, it is wise to avoid sun exposure to prevent or at least delay a reoccurrence.

Skincare Products – Melasma can worsen if the sufferer uses a product that irritates his or her skin. 

Treatment for Melasma at our Tallahassee Location

To ease the symptoms of melasma or prevent a flare-up, it would be wise to avoid:

  •   Oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone
  •   Hormone treatments, especially anything that includes estrogen
  •   LED light from cell phones and tablets, televisions, and laptops
  •   UV tanning beds
  •   Skincare products and make-up that cause the wearer irritation
  •   Scented skincare products and fragranced soaps
  •   Waxing

In addition to these suggestions, melasma treatment can help eliminate and prevent those brown and bluish patches. If you have taken birth control pills, the patches should fade when you stop taking them. The same goes for any hormone treatment. If pregnant, the melasma should fade after the delivery of the baby.

If the melasma does not go away, however, do not despair. Our Tallahassee melasma treatment experts can provide you with multiple options for tackling melasma.

At Dermatology Specialists, we will analyze your condition and situation. Following our observation, we may treat melasma with various techniques, including:

  •   Hydroquinone – This has a skin-bleaching effect caused by reducing the number of melanocytes. It can help remedy the melasma by reducing melanin production and making skin more evenly toned over time. Following concerns regarding its safety, the FDA confirmed that it is safe over the counter in low concentrations and that contaminants, rather than hydroquinone itself, were responsible for reports of adverse effects. Our team of specialists take the greatest care to ensure effective results without compromising safety.
  •   Corticosteroids – These drugs lower inflammation in the body and reduce immune system activity, easing itching, swelling, redness, and allergic reactions.
  •   Combined Creams and Other Topical Medications – We may recommend or produce creams to provide a therapeutic effect.

Additional Melasma Treatments

  •   Chemical Peel – This is the chemical removal of the epidermis, the superficial outer layer of the skin. In this case, we would perform this to improve uneven skin tone. Regular, repeated sessions may provide the best results.
  •   Microdermabrasion – The difference between dermabrasion and microdermabrasion is that microdermabrasion is milder. Unlike dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is unlikely to cause bleeding. However, it will be less effective for more severe cases of melasma.
  •   Light Therapy – We can use LED light to treat a number of skin conditions, including melasma. It is believed that the light works on fibroblasts and reduces activity in the sebaceous glands. It can also kill bacteria, and target inflammation and redness. 
  •   Melasma Laser Treatment – While this does not affect the causes of melasma, it is an effective treatment for the symptoms. It is usually reserved as an option after trying more traditional methods. 

More About Tallahassee Melasma Laser Treatment

If topical treatments are not sufficient to treat melasma, we may opt for melasma laser treatment. Laser treatments on the market include:

  •   Intense Pulsed Light – This can target the melanin in the skin and remove excess pigment. It can do so beyond the superficial layer (epidermis).
  •   Q-Switched Lasers – These have been used to remove birthmarks and tattoos, and it is possible to target the melanin that causes dark patches on the skin. 
  •   Picosecond Lasers – This laser treatment differs from the others because the pulse frequency is every trillionth of a second, creating sound rather than heat. This means that thermal damage can be avoided when removing melasma. 
  •   Fractionated Lasers – These aim to eliminate cells responsible for over-pigmentation. They can also stimulate collagen production, which can lead to healthier-looking and more youthful-looking skin.

You can rely on our experts to take the time to diagnose and analyze your melasma carefully. Then we will work out the optimal treatment for melasma to help your condition and prevent future occurrences. 

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Call Today to Schedule a Consultation

(877) 231-3376

Contact Dermatology Specialists Today

Melasma affects a wide variety of people every year. If you suffer from this skin condition and are tired of having to deal with it day in and day out, contact the offices at Dermatology Specialists today. Our Tallahassee team can offer custom treatment options that are best for your situation and ensure healthier looking skin. 

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