If you like spending a lot of time in the sun, beware, as you can develop Melasma. It is common for people to go away on holidays, lay on the beach, and spend the day tanning. What we do not think about is the fact that it can be quite damaging to our skin. Thankfully there are treatments for Melasma, but are they really effective?
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that is caused by too much sun. It creates brown spots on your face and body. It almost looks like you have a ton of freckles. This type of skin condition is very difficult to treat, but it is treatable and will fade over time.
Sometimes your body can produce too many cells that make up the colour of your skin. This can leave patches of brown spots in areas of your face and body. Most commonly it happens to pregnant women, but not in all cases, as above it can also be caused by the sun.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptom is the changes in your skin colour with the brownish patches on your face and body. These patches can appear on your arms, chin, nose, and cheeks. Dermal melasma is the worst type you can get as this is very hard to treat. It is slightly different to other types of melasma as it shows a light-brown or blue colour.
There are no other more serious known symptoms of this condition. It does not give off pain or any other uncomfortable feeling in the body. It is simply just discolouration of the skin that can make people feel insecure.
What are the different treatments?
There are actually a few different treatments available for this condition. Creams and lotions are the initial steps for treating this, as they will help in returning your skin colour back to normal. Other treatments may include a triple cream which has a variety of medicines within it to try and get your skin colour to even out and look the way it used to.
Because this happens mainly in women who have just given birth or have been on the contraceptive pill, usually Melasma can fade on its own. This can happen after giving birth or stopping in taking the pill. If it does not fade and creams do not help then more serious treatments like lasers are used to help even the skin tone.
What type of laser treatment can be used?
The most common type of laser treatment for Melasma is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Lasers. This is a very simple non-invasive procedure to help get your skin colour back to a normal shade. The light that it heats your skin with, kills of any unwanted cells which are causing the discolouration on your face.
This type of treatment is very effective when used with other creams. The recovery time will be much quicker than with any other laser. Bear in mind that this laser is not suited for very dark skin types and can actually cause more damage than making things better.
Another type of laser treatment that can be used and is also quite effective is Fractional CO2 Laser. This type of laser releases a light beam that kills unwanted cells and helps collagen to develop, along with healthier cells. This can then cause the blotches of dark spots to disappear and bring your skin colour back to normal. Usually, with this type of treatment, it only takes one session to get the results you need. Sometimes in more severe cases it make take more sessions, but on average one is all you need.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
With IPL treatment it is vital that you are not on any other medication, are not pregnant, and do not have any other skin conditions. If you do, then you cannot get this type of treatment. The common side effects include swelling, redness, and itching. In more severe cases, this type of treatment can actually make your condition worse. It is not for everyone and you should consult your doctor first to make sure that you are suited for IPL.
Side effects for Fractional CO2 Laser may include redness, swelling, and discomfort. More serious side effects can include some inflammation, infection, and prolonged redness of the skin. People with darker skin need to be a bit more careful as it can be very dangerous for them and may cause the condition to get worse.
What are the benefits?
Not only will Fractional CO2 laser help with the melasma, but it will also make your skin look younger, more even, and radiant. Both types of treatment will help in the disappearance of melasma and bring your skin tone back to normal. Your skin will look healthy, and the effects of these treatments are long-term. Both are very quick procedures with little recovery time.
What is the cost?
The cost of IPL ranges on how bad your skin condition is. Typically it will cost between $700 and $1200. The cost of this is $150 per session. There are also packages available which give a few sessions at a discounted price. Typically, you will not be paying more than $500 for this treatment.
In regard to Fractional CO2, you are looking at a price of $1000 and can easily go up to $3000. In Ireland, the price of this procedure averages at 1500 for a full face. Particular areas of the face or body may range at $500.
Melasma can be treated easily with certain types of lasers and does not require continuous sessions. This means that you will not be paying a huge amount to get your skin back to an even tone. After recovery, your face and body will look healthy and new. It is safe in most cases with very rare side effects.