Melasma and Skin Rejuvenation

Laser skin rejuvenation is the perfect treatment for those looking for a safe, quick procedure to rejuvenate and revitalize the skin.

This procedure is a top choice of celebrities and others who cannot afford time away from work to recover from more intense procedures. This procedure offers long-lasting results for those wishing to reduce wrinkles, lighten melasma and improve acne scarring and improve the long-term health of their skin. Repeat treatments at intervals are also an ideal way to maintain your skin’s youthful vitality.

There are 2 options for laser rejuvenation: Picosure Focus and  MedLite® C6, a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. These laser works by stimulating collagen production without destroying the overlying skin cells. As new collagen is formed with each treatment, lines and wrinkles become smoother. Melasma pigments are also disrupted, similar to the action against tattoo pigments.  The Picosure Focus works much faster and with more dramatic results but is recommended for lighter skin types (i.e. Caucasian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, light-skinned Hispanic, Arabic, etc.)

Laser rejuvenation is “non-ablative.” This means that it is both safe and there is no downtime. Unlike ablative laser treatments, such as CO2 laser, that work by destroying skin cells, these laser work through a “photo-acoustic” effect that increases patient safety.

Laser skin rejuvenation can:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduce melasma
• Reduce/improve acne scars
• Shrink pores

For good results with Medlite, multiple treatments are offered every 2-3 weeks for 6 or more treatments until the desired result is achieved.

Melasma

Melasma is a common and frustrating condition. Diffuse, brown spots (also called hyperpigmentation) are often a result of sun exposure, hormonal changes or hereditary factors. Up until now there have been very limited options for treating this condition.

In treating melasma, we often reccommend patients use a combination of sunblocks, skin bleaching creams and laser treatments.  We have had success using a Q-Switched YAG laser and IPL (Intensed Pulsed light).  This laser technology has been effective but also has some drawbacks: IPL is restricted to the lightest skin types and can leave box-like results due to the shape of the beam.  Q-switched YAG treatment with medlite has been very effective in reducing melasma, but it usually takes a minimum of 6 treatments for results.

Now there is “Focus” with the Picosure laser.  We are excited to introduce “The Focus microlens” – a new, FDA approved treatment for the reduction of hyperpigmentation, using the revolutionary Picosure laser.  The Focus is a microlens array that attaches to the handpieces on the Picosure laser (the picosecond laser that we also use for tattoo removal).  The laser beam is split into tiny hot spots, similar to what happens with Fraxel.  This allows it to target pigment in a safer way, with a lower chance of burns than IPL, faster treatment time and less pain.  After treatment, there is mild redness that typically lasts a few hours.  The Focus is recommended for lighter skin types (up to Mediterranean or light Hispanic/Asian).

The results are robust, with only about 3 treatments 2-4 weeks apart being recommended.  Additional benefits of treatment with Picosure Focus include tighter pores, less visible wrinkles and flatter acne scars.  Red depressed acne scars respond particularly well.

Written by Dr. Alex Kaplan of Celebrity Laser Spa and Surgery Center in Los Angeles, CA