What is Melasma?

Melasma, also known as chloasma, is a chronic pigmentary disorder of the skin amongst women of South East Asian descent and patients living close to the equator. Usually presenting insidiously as a mild and faint discolouration of the face before darkening. It is sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy” due to it being a common occurrence among pregnant women, it can affect women outside of pregnancy as well. It can also affect men, although at a much lesser scale.

Melasma patches vary in size and distribution and usually develop at a gradual pace depending on the person. These patches may gradually disappear a few months after pregnancy, but this does not always happen. If this is the case, you may consider undergoing treatment to remove melasma patches.

What causes Melasma?

The pathology of Melasma is complex and there are both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Genetic susceptibility has been noted. Excessive UV damage and exposure may aggravate the condition further. It can also be confused and complicate post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by damage to the skin such as chemical peels or allergies to certain facial creams.

 

The Pico Laser treatment is an innovative, safe, and effective new advancement in laser technology and dermatology, eliminating or reducing the appearance of some of your most common skin concerns. We understand this technology fully and can give you the latest treatments for total rejuvenation.

What is Pico Laser Treatment?

The Pico Laser treatment is a procedure utilizing state-of-the-art laser technology to treat brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage, along with stimulating collagen and elastin production. This is a great treatment for busy professionals or patients who do not have time to take off to heal. Dr. Prinya performs the Pico Laser at Clinic by himself. For optimal results, a series of treatments are required.

The Pico Laser’s precision and effectiveness mean it is a significant dermatological advancement in the field and is making it an extremely popular procedure to seek out, especially due to its safeness, minimal healing time, and beautiful results.

How does it treat melasma?

The quick pulsing application of laser energy allows the treatment to deliver high-energy light beams that last for a very quick time. This enables it to deliver most of the energy on the melasma pigments and leaves the surrounding tissues unharmed. This results in fewer side effects, reduced discomfort, and less damage to the skin compared to other laser pigmentation removal treatments.

How is the treatment performed?

Dr. Prinya first assesses and examines the melasma and determine its severity. The procedure is very safe with minimal discomfort, so there is no need to apply a numbing cream unless the patient so desires. The laser treatment is very quick, with most sessions lasting less than 30 minutes. The patient may feel a tingly sensation that quickly dissipates each time a laser pulse is applied.

Is there any downtime?

There is very little downtime if any after a pico laser treatment. There may be some redness, but this should disappear within a few days.

How quickly will results show up?

Depending on the patient assessment, it might require 2 to 3 sessions of the pico laser treatment before the melasma fully disappears. However, the patient will notice that about a week after each session, the melasma patches will look lighter and less noticeable compared to before.

Pico Laser Treatment Session

Protective Eyewear

You will be provided with protective eyewear to shield your eyes from the laser light. It's crucial to wear this eyewear throughout the session to protect your vision.

Pico Laser Application

Dr. Prinya will use a handheld Pico Laser device to deliver precise energy pulses to the treatment area.The laser emits ultra-short pulses of energy, measured in picoseconds, to target specific skin concerns without damaging surrounding tissue.

Sensation During Treatment

During the Pico Laser session, you may feel slight sensations of heat or tingling as the laser is applied. Some people describe it as feeling like tiny, rapid pinpricks. The discomfort is typically minimal, especially when a topical anesthetic is used.

Targeted Treatment

Dr. Prinya will adjust the laser settings as needed to target your specific skin concern. This may involve varying the energy levels and the number of passes over the treatment area.

Pico Laser Post-Treatment Care

Post-Treatment Care

After the Pico Laser Treatment is complete, the treated area is applied with cold pack, gently cleaned, and a soothing ointment or cream may be applied to help with healing. You will receive post-treatment care instructions, which may include avoiding direct sunlight, wearing sunscreen, and moisturizing the treated area.

Recovery

Many patients can return to their normal activities immediately after the session, as there is typically minimal downtime associated with Pico Laser Treatment. You may experience some redness, swelling, or mild discomfort, which should subside within a few days.

Follow-Up

Depending on your skin concern and treatment plan, you may require multiple Pico Laser sessions spaced several weeks apart for optimal results. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.

Types of Pigmentations

Asians are blessed with naturally smooth skin. However, there are downsides to our porcelain complexion. We are more prone to experiencing pigmentation problems. From freckles to the much-dreaded melasma, a majority of women will begin to find areas where the skin begins to darken on the face as a result of the sun, chemicals and other hormonal changes. This causes the increased production of melanin at certain parts of the face leading to those unflattering dark spots.

Most commonly, it is hyperpigmentation that plagues the majority of the population. This broad category can be further divided into 3 subgroups:

Melasma: It causes dark discoloured patches on the skin and is common among women ages 20-40. Also known as the 'mask of pregnancy', it is believed that hormonal changes during the childbearing period, as a result of taking birth control or stress can lead to the flair up of melasma.

Sun Spots: It goes by many names, liver spots, solar lentigos and age spots. Sun spots cause the formation of light to dark brown spots on the skin. The culprit that causes this is mainly ultraviolet rays from the sun. It speeds up the production of melanin in the skin at an uneven pace due to the sun damage. This means that certain parts of the skin darken while the rest remains light marring our perfect complexion. This is more common among individuals who have fairer skin.

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): This is a pigmentation that results after an episode of inflammation to the skin such as acne, chemical peels or eczema. This condition is more common in people of darker skin tones and can appear as small to large patches of pink, light or dark brown coloured skin.

With so many of us being prone to such issues regardless of skin colour, more and more people are looking into ways of removing pigmentation. One area that has seen success in the fight against hyperpigmentation is in the field of laser treatments.

Potential Side Effects of Pico Laser Treatment

Redness and Swelling

It's common to experience redness and swelling at the treatment site immediately after the procedure. This typically subsides within a few hours to a few days.

Tenderness and Sensitivity

The treated area may feel tender or sensitive to the touch for a short period after the treatment.

Peeling or Flaking

The skin may peel or flake as it heals, particularly in the days following the treatment. This is a natural part of the skin's renewal process.

Infection

Although rare, there is a risk of infection after Pico Laser Treatment. Follow post-treatment care instructions to clean the treated area and minimize this risk.

Scabbing

Scabbing can sometimes occur, particularly when treating skin imperfections like acne scars. Avoid picking at scabs to prevent complications.

Skin Sensitivity

Your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight following the procedure. It's crucial to use sun protection and avoid excessive sun exposure during the healing process.