Laser for Melasma, Freckles, Pigmentation
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin problem that is also known as ‘chloasma’. It causes brown patches on the face; most commonly appearing on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin, and above the upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun. Hormone changes along with sun exposure are the most common triggers for melasma. Although melasma may affect both men and women, the majority of those affected are women. Individuals of Latin or Asian ethnicity are also more likely to get melasma.
Are Lasers Effective for Treating Melasma?
The nanopulse Nd: YAG laser is the gold standard for treating moderate and deep pigment disorders and more recently melasma. Spectra was cleared in 2012 for the treatment of melasma and has shown to be very effective in reducing the appearance of melasma. Consult a dermatologist for Laser Treatment for skin in Himachal Pradesh. Individuals receiving treatment should always wear sunblock if going into the sun and avoid sun exposure which can retrigger pigmentation.
- <750 ns pulses disrupt melanosomes through a photoacoustic disruption (longer pulse durations (eg, 400 microseconds) do not)
- This is consistent with the theory of selective photothermolysis, which states that the pulse duration of an emitted laser wavelength must be less than the thermal relaxation time of the targeted object
- A typical 1-µm melanosome has a thermal relaxation time of 0.5-1 μs
Laser energy targets gently break and ablates the pigment so that the body’s immune system can naturally remove the pigment particles.
Laser Treatment for Melasma
Before and After
Melasma
When the laser energy is applied to the skin, it targets the pigment and breaks it up. The body later removes the debris naturally, some pigment may remain to require multiple treatments. Treatment of darker skinned patients can be more challenging, but a good device used carefully by an expert can provide good results.
 Before |
 After |
What Are Freckles?
Freckles are pigmented areas appearing over the skin of the face or body, and many people wish to have them removed or reduced. They may vary in size, shape, number or concentration.
Treatment Options
Although chemical peels and dermabrasion may be used, light- and laser-based therapies are the most popular and effective.
How Do You Treat Freckles?
To treat these pigmented areas, the energy is applied to break up the pigment for removal by the body’s natural processes with minimal damage to surrounding healthy skin and tissue. This can be more or less difficult depending on factors such as the patient’s skin color, as well as the size, shape, and number of freckles. Treatment of darker skinned patients is more challenging, but a good device used carefully by an expert can provide good results.
Laser Treatment for Freckles
What Is Skin Pigmentation?
Many patients seek a more youthful appearance. As your skin ages, skin quality is reduced and it becomes less elastic, causing fine lines and wrinkles. Volume loss in the face over time also contributes to the aged appearance. Although a person’s genetic makeup determines much about how their skin ages, other things such as smoking, regular or excessive exposure to the sun, or poor diet accelerate skin aging. Skin tightening is a popular method of reducing the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines, and for treating laxity or droopiness.
Treatment Options
A variety of methods may be used to tighten skin; each stimulates the skin to produce newer, younger looking skin and cause contraction, or tightening, of skin as well. Best results are seen with the surgical facelift, but many patients wish to avoid the risks and hassles of surgery. Non-surgical options are available including dermabrasion and chemical peels, however energy-based methods using radiofrequency (RF) or lasers are more effective.
Laser for Skin Pigmentation
