Remove Skin Pigmentations and Reveal Clear, Glowing Skin
Melasma (“pregnancy mask”) is a common skin condition characterized by gray-brown or brown patches on the face. It is much more common in women, especially in pregnant women. Birth control pills may also trigger the condition. After childbirth or after discontinuing taking birth control pills, the condition may fade. However, some people have melasma for years or even throughout their life.
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What is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin problem that causes brown to gray-brown patches on the face with sun exposure or hormonal changes. It is most common in women and can affect the skin of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.
The precise cause of melasma is not known, but there are several factors that may contribute to its development. The main cause of melasma may be too much exposure to sunlight for long periods, especially during the summer when the sun is most penetrating. People with a genetic predisposition or a known family history are more at risk as well.
How is Melasma Treated?
There are a number of topical treatments available for this condition. To begin the treatment, we may use prescription bleaching cream, hydroquinone or Cosmeceutical bleaching products (arbutin, kojic acid, mulberry). Other medications Dr. Chernoff may recommend include retinoic acid and/or corticosteroids.
If none of these medicines are effective in treating your melasma, Dr. Chernoff may recommend laser therapy in combination with other non-surgical procedures as follows:
- Topical retinol
- Topical antioxidant products
- Chemical Peels UVA/UVB Sunblock of SPF 30 or higher (preferably zinc)
Today, the most successful medicine for treating melasma has been the combination of hydroquinone along with the use of other topical products. This combination has shown improvement in many of those treated.
It may take some time to get a good result from the treatments. For some patients, the pigmentation may reappear because of hormonal factors or exposure to the sun.
Prior to any treatment or procedure, Dr. Chernoff or one of our trained and certified Health Care Providers determine if you are a candidate, review the risk and benefits, and provide all possible treatment alternatives.
Why Dr. Gerg Chernoff for Your Non-Surgical Skincare Treatments?
When considering non-surgical skincare treatments, finding the right aesthetic doctor can mean the difference between great results and less than optimal results. Board certification, advanced training and skills, along with years of experience are important factors to consider when selecting your cosmetic physician.
At Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery in Indianapolis, IN you can be reassured that Dr. Greg Chernoff has the appropriate surgical certifications, extensive knowledge, experience, surgical skill and aesthetic vision. Dr. Chernoff is a renowned aesthetic surgeon and educator.
Over the last 20-years, Dr. Chernoff has significantly contributed to the advancements in Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. He was one of the pioneers of both surgical and non-surgical laser therapy. He has pioneered many new skincare treatments and over the years has been refining the therapies to improve and enhance his patient’s skin. Research is important to him since it allows him to stay on the cutting edge of new therapies and techniques.
You can trust your cosmetic non-surgical, laser and RF Energy enhancement and skin treatments to Dr. Chernoff, a triple board certified facial and reconstructive plastic surgeon. Dr. Chernoff is certified by The American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The American Board of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. Chernoff is an expert face and body cosmetic enhancement physician who has performed thousands of non-surgical aesthetic procedures for men and women in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding communities for over 20 years.