Melasma Treatment in New York

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray patches to appear on the face, often as a result of sun exposure or hormonal changes in genetically predisposed individuals.. Here are some tips on how to prevent melasma:

• Wear sunscreen daily: Strict sun protection is the most important aspect of any melasma treatment plan, as it can help to prevent melasma from getting worse. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours when exposed to direct sunlight.
• Stay out of the sun: Avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours, which are usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.. If you must go outside during these hours, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing.
• Use topical treatments: Some topical treatments can help prevent melasma. Look for creams or serums containing vitamin C, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, arbutin, or kojic acid. Retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A, can also be effective in preventing and treating melasma.
• Follow a skin-healthy diet: While no foods or drinks are known to directly cause or cure melasma, maintaining a skin-healthy diet can help keep your skin healthy in general. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin D, such as almond milk, eggs, meat, milk, mushrooms, oily fish, orange juice, and yogurt.
• Avoid hormonal medications: Certain hormonal medications, such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, can make melasma worse. Talk to your doctor about alternative options if you are concerned about developing or worsening melasma.
• Consult with a board certified dermatologist: If you are concerned about developing or treating melasma, talk to a board certified dermatologist. They can provide personalized recommendations and suggest treatments such as medication or cosmetic procedures such as lasers or peels.

Overall, preventing melasma involves protecting your skin from the sun, using topical treatments, following a skin-healthy diet, and avoiding hormonal medications. Consult with a board certified dermatologist for personalized recommendations and treatment options.

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes dark, discolored patches on the skin, typically on the face. The patches may be light brown, dark brown, or blue-gray in color and can appear as flat patches or freckle-like spots. Melasma primarily develops on the face, usually on one or more of the following areas: cheeks, chin, forehead, nose, and above the upper lip. Occasionally, people develop melasma on their jawline, neck, arms, or elsewhere. Wherever melasma appears, it causes blotchy patches and spots that can look like freckles. Unlike dark marks and spots or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which both look like small spots in concentrated areas of the face, melasma is often widespread, appearing as brown or splotchy patches with uneven borders. Melasma can also look like another skin condition, so a dermatologist may perform a skin biopsy to rule this out. If you have melasma, you may also experience a melasma mustache, which refers to grayish-brown patches that appear on the upper lip. This gets worse through saving, threading or waxing. Laser hair removal is a great option to decrease this aggravating cofactor.

The exact cause of melasma is not clear, but there are several factors that are known to trigger or worsen the condition:

• Hormonal changes: Melasma is more common in women and is often associated with hormonal changes (increased estrogen and progesterone). Pregnancy, birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy are all known to increase the risk of melasma.
• Sun exposure: Sun exposure is a major trigger for melasma. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can stimulate the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, leading to the formation of dark patches.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as antiseizure drugs and birth control pills, have been linked to melasma.
• Skin care products: Some skin care products, such as those that contain fragrances, or irritants, can irritate the skin and trigger melasma.
• Genetic predisposition: There is a genetic component to melasma, as it tends to run in families.
• Thyroid disease: There is some evidence to suggest that thyroid disease may be a risk factor for melasma.

While melasma may go away on its own, it can also last for years or even a lifetime. Although the condition is not harmful to the body, it can be distressing for those who have it. Treatment options for melasma include topical creams, chemical peels, and laser treatments. It is important to consult with a board certified dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

While there is no known cure for melasma, there are several treatment options available to help manage the condition.

The most commonly used treatments for melasma are skin lightening medications that are applied topically. These medications include hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a common treatment for melasma. Tretinoin and a mild corticosteroid are also commonly used in combination to even out skin tone. A bleaching regimen is commonly prescribed and if followed step by step, it has been shown to be very effective in decreasing melasma. It is most effective when using a Vitamin C ferulic serum in the morning followed by a biopeptide cream and covered with a sunscreen to ensure maximum protection. Dr. Rokhsar has a proprietary skin regimen that improves melasma dramatically in an overwhelming majority of patients with melasma.

At night a series of steps starting with hydroquinone fading pads followed by a retin-a cream then a prescription of hydrocortisone valerate cream is applied. A major improvement is noted after 2 months. You should follow up monthly with Dr. Rokhsar to assess your improvement.

Melasma can also be managed by protecting the skin from the sun. This includes using a high SPF sunscreen, wearing a hat or using an umbrella when outside, and avoiding peak sun hours. A skin-healthy diet rich in Vitamin D can also help keep the skin healthy in general.

Dr. Rokhsar also treats melasma with a variety of lasers including the Fraxel laser, pigments lasers and the Vbeam laser. Dr. Rokhsar published the first scientific study on the treatment of melasma with the Fraxel laser. Other treatments offered are chemical peels and hydrafacials which are complementary to Dr. Rokhsar’s Overall approach. Tranexamic acid both in topical and oral form is prescribed by Dr. Rokhsar. This FDA approved drug is a game changer in the treatment of tough to treat dermal deep melasma, especially when combined with other modalities like hydrafacial and lasers.

Although melasma can be frustrating to manage, it can be successfully treated with a combination of topical medications and sun protection, lasers, peels, hydrafacials, and oral prescription pills. Melasma is a skin condition that is quite difficult to treat, and while many of the same treatments apply for melasma as they would for hyperpigmentation, consistent sun protection and the use of appropriate treatments under the guidance of a board certified dermatologist are crucial for optimal outcomes.

Other treatments for melasma include chemical peels and laser therapy. Chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to the skin, which causes the top layer of skin to peel off, revealing fresh, unblemished skin underneath. Laser therapy is a promising melasma treatment, particularly for those with treatment-resistant melasma that does not improve with more conventional options. Laser treatment of melasma is a tricky process and should be only performed by an experienced board certified dermatologist with vast experience in lasers. Dr. Rokhsar is double board certified in dermatology and surgery and is a fellowship trained laser surgeon. Lasers used in the office for melasma include laser resurfacing with the Fraxel laser, pigment lasers and vascular lasers.