9002 N. Meridian St. Ste. 205, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Melasma Treatment
Remove Skin Pigmentations for
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 had melasma for years or even throughout their lives.
What Is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition that causes brown to gray-brown patches on the face, often triggered by sun exposure or hormonal changes. It is most common in women and can affect the skin of the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. It can also appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.
The precise cause of melasma is unknown, but several factors may contribute to its development. The main cause of melasma may be prolonged exposure to sunlight, especially during the summer when the sun's rays are most intense. 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 treatment for melasma is a combination of hydroquinone with other topical products. This combination has shown improvement in many of those treated.
It may take some time to see good results from the treatments. For some patients, pigmentation may reappear due to hormonal factors or sun exposure.
Prior to any treatment or procedure, Dr. Chernoff or one of our trained and certified Health Care Providers determines if you are a candidate, reviews the risks and benefits, and provides all possible treatment alternatives.
Laser Therapy in Indianapolis, IN
Remove Unsightly Spider Veins
Millions of women and men are bothered by unsightly spider veins on their faces and legs. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are small red, blue, and purple blood vessels that appear most frequently on the face and thighs.
Spider veins should not be confused with varicose veins, as varicose veins are a serious vein disorder. Spider veins are harmless, but many people are bothered by their appearance
Treatment for Spider Veins
At Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery in Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Greg Chernoff uses laser therapy to treat vascular lesions, including spider veins, spider angiomas, port-wine stains, hemangiomas, and small broken veins on the face and body.
Dr. Chernoff and his team of experts have multiple options to treat spider veins on the face and body, including:
- Aerolase
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
- DOT Laser (Fractionated CO2 Dermal Optical Thermolysis)
- Topical Growth Factor Treatments
During your consultation, your skin, the severity of veins, and other factors will be discussed. In some cases, we may recommend a combination of treatments to achieve the best results with the fewest treatments. A detailed treatment plan and cost will be recommended.
What Is Laser Spider Vein Treatment?
Today’s advanced medical lasers provide safe, effective, non-surgical treatment options for removing spider veins and some varicose veins. The lasers used at Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery in Indianapolis, IN, deliver a precise dose of energy to each blood vessel.
During treatment, light energy is delivered through a small laser handpiece to a targeted vein in a series of brief pulses. The light energy is absorbed by the lining of the blood vessels and the blood within them, but not by the surrounding tissue. The heat absorption causes a coagulation of the blood vessel, which is subsequently absorbed by your body.
The blood vessels best treated with the laser are one to three millimeters in diameter. No anesthetic is required for this treatment. The laser has a specialized chilled handpiece that cools the skin's surface while the laser's energy penetrates to the depth of the blood vessel. Pulses of light energy are then delivered along the length of the blood vessel, with the larger veins first. The light energy causes the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessels.
Most spider-vein patients report moderate discomfort. It is usually described as a mild burning sensation when light energy is applied to the blood vessels.
What to Expect After Spider Vein Laser Treatment
The majority of the treated spider vein blood vessels will be gone within 2-3 treatments. The treatments can be spaced four to six weeks apart. If new veins appear, additional treatments are required for optimum results. The treatments may be given at three- to four-week intervals.
Following treatment, depending on the severity of the blood vessel condition, patients may be required to wear support hose to apply pressure to the veins. Bruises around the treated areas usually disappear after the first week. A tan or brownish pigment may persist for a few weeks when larger vessels are involved. While each vein may require several laser pulses, most will disappear within two to six weeks.
Patients are encouraged to resume most normal activities immediately. Final results may not be apparent for several months. Most patients enjoy the comfort and appearance of their legs without unsightly red, blue, and purple veins in a short period of time.
Treatments for Sun Damage in Indianapolis, IN
Excessive sun exposure is one of the biggest causes of damaged, uneven, and pigmented skin. Spending too much time trying to achieve that perfect golden glow can leave you with dark brown and black pigmented sun spots.
Dr. Chernoff and his team of medical aesthetic experts offer a variety of treatments that combine laser light, radio-frequency, and fractionated therapies to regenerate collagen, improve skin tone, fade sun spots, and enhance overall skin quality.
The #1 thing you can do to prevent excessive sun exposure and sun damage is to protect your skin with sunscreen. It’s never too late to upgrade your skincare routine.
At Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery, we offer medical-grade skincare options to help prevent and reverse visible signs of aging, and sunscreen is one of the best products you can incorporate into your daily routine. You can purchase one of our personal favorites, the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen, which offers powerful sun protection with a hint of tint.
What Treatment Options Are Available To Treat Sun Damage?
Options and combination treatments used to treat sun damage, sun spots and hyperpigmentation include:
- Fractionated DOT CO2 Laser
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
- Aerolase
- Facials
- Microdermabrasion
- Peels
- Medical-grade products (for skin lightening)
Exclusively offered at Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery, Cyspera is now available. The new Cyspera Intensive System™ is a three-step approach that delivers a powerful, synergistic action to improve pigment correction and skin health.
The timing, number of treatments, and sequence are different for each person. Specific recommendations and a treatment plan are provided for each patient, including skin maintenance.
Get Rid of Your Stretch Marks in Indianapolis, IN
Stretch marks, also known as Striae, are a very common skin condition that occurs when the skin is stretched, causing long, narrow lines to develop. Stretch marks can occur in men and women, though they are more commonly seen in women. Stretch marks occur during pregnancy, weight gain, and weight loss.
At Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery in Indianapolis, IN, Dr. Greg Chernoff recommends a combination of effective procedures to improve and soften the appearance of stretch marks. These therapies improve skin texture and soften stretch marks by stimulating collagen production and tightening the skin.
Prior to any treatment or procedure, Dr. Chernoff or one of our trained and certified Health Care Providers determines if you are a candidate, reviews the risks and benefits, and provides all possible treatment alternatives.
What are Stretch Marks?
Typically, significant weight gain in a short time can put a person at risk of developing long, narrow streaks or stripes on the skin known as stretch marks. Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of stretch marks. They occur when the skin (dermis) is stretched due to rapid skin growth.
While anyone can develop stretch marks, women tend to be more affected than men. Stretch marks can occur on various parts of your body and are typically seen on the abdomen, arms (upper), back, breasts, hips, and thighs.
You no longer need to hide unsightly stretch marks. There are a variety of treatments available at Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery to help you reduce the raised and lumpy appearance of your stretch marks.
What Treatments Are Available for Stretch Marks?
Depending on the depth and severity of the marks, a number of treatments can be used to help. The best way for you to determine which method will be the most beneficial is to consult with Dr. Chernoff. He will examine your skin, measure the extent of the stretch marks, and recommend a treatment or series of procedures to help.
These treatments require little to no downtime and can be performed in the comfort of our Indianapolis office. Some of the therapies offered by Dr. Chernoff include:
Your treatment plan may include a combination of treatments, alternating them to achieve the best possible result. Additionally, topical growth factor treatments are combined with laser and light-based treatments to enhance outcomes.
Schedule Your Non-Surgical Appointment Today
At Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery, you can achieve your natural best without invasive surgery.
Schedule your non-surgical consultation or follow-up appointment with Dr. Chernoff and our expert team of providers today.
Schedule Appointment