Many women in the US suffer from melasma, a skin condition which is often difficult to treat, and for which there is no cure. However, there are newer, more advanced methods that are now being used to treat melasma. These alternatives are very effective, and produce long lasting results. In particular, there are a number of lasers such as the Spectra Laser that are doing a superb job improving melasma.
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin discoloration that usually affects the face, particularly the forehead, cheeks and nose, but it can also impact the neck and forearms. The grayish brown patches on the skin that characterize melasma, can be triggered by several factors including excess sun exposure, stress, and hormone fluctuations.
How is Melasma Treated?
Common treatments for melasma include topical creams, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. However, these treatment options don’t work for everyone. At the Serenity Med Spa in San Francisco they utilize the Spectra Laser to treat melasma using a laser toning procedure. The Spectra Laser tones the skin, reduces pore size, and diminishes pigmentation.
How the Spectra Laser works
The high energy Spectra Laser disrupts the dark particles, or melanin, which is responsible for the dark appearance of the skin. The duration of the treatment session ranges from 10 to 15 minutes, during which time the physician will make at least two passes over the affected areas. It generally takes a series of 6-8 treatments with the Spectra Laser, to achieve significant improvement in the skin discoloration.
What to Expect
After the Spectra laser toning patients can expect a noticeable decrease in dark patches. The laser is effective on all skin types, and can even out skin tone, and also improve other skin issues such as wrinkles and lines. Spectra laser toning is a very effective way to treat melasma.