IPL + Melasma: Why to avoid it
Having Melasma can make you feel self-conscious, shying away from the world rather than strutting your stuff. People always asking, “What's that on your face?” To which you murmur with downcast eyes, “Melasma”.
This uninvited guest can really crush your confidence and your style. Fear not, my friend, for in this blog post, we'll unravel the tangled relationship melasma has with your skin and why IPL, which is such a wonderful treatment for most skin pigmentation issues, doesn’t play nice with melasma, but what you can use and do instead to move melasma along.
What is Melasma?
Melasma is like that clingy friend who invites themselves over when you are going through something and then outstays their welcome. A common skin condition that primarily affects females and is characterised by patches of dark pigmentation, brownish-grey in colour, that resemble an abstract painting on your face. These patches typically appear on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip, throwing off the delicate balance of your complexion. Often dubbed the “mask of pregnancy” because it is not uncommon for it to show up during pregnancy or other hormonal changes.
Differences between Melasma and Age Spots
Let's play a "Spot the Difference" game between melasma and age spots. Age spots are tiny sun souvenirs that appear as you grow wiser (or at least older). On the other hand, melasma is a different creature, with its larger, more prominent patches resembling unruly pigmentation smears. While both can be caused by sun exposure, hormones play a more significant role in the formation of melasma.
Can IPL make melasma worse?
Ah, the dance between IPL and Melasma. It's like attempting the tango on a tightrope – one wrong move, and disaster strikes. While IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) has shown remarkable results in treating various skin concerns, melasma isn't its best partner on the dance floor. In fact, IPL can be like a bull in a china shop when it comes to melasma, potentially exacerbating the condition rather than improving it. So although some have seen results using IPL to treat melasma, one of the side effects is that it can make matters worse. Causing hyperpigmentation, a condition which is harder and takes longer to treat. This is why we choose to treat this type of face pigmentation with skin care products for great results. A slower process, but opting for a possible quick fix with IPL to treat melasma is like throwing gasoline on a fire, hoping it will magically extinguish itself.
Why IPL and Melasma Don't Mix
Think of IPL as a spotlight, illuminating everything in its path. When it comes to melasma, that spotlight can be a double-edged sword. The intense light pulses used in IPL treatments can also stimulate melanin production, the very substance responsible for the dark pigmentation of melasma. It's like a siren announcing the melasma patches to grow even stronger, making them the stars of the show rather than turning the lights out on this complexion complicator.
Best Treatments for Melasma
It can be a daunting and frustrating experience if you are struggling with melasma, as the persistent brown patches seem to resist conventional remedies. So, if IPL is out of the picture, what are the best treatments for melasma? Enter the dynamic duo: topical creams and chemical peels. These treatments work hand in hand to gently fade the pigmentation, allowing your true complexion to shine through. Think of them as the tag team champions, carefully and gradually breaking down the melasma patches, leaving your skin more balanced and harmonious.
To start to combat this stubborn condition, we suggest a comprehensive approach beginning with a home care skin care routine along with two enzyme treatments over a month.
Your skin therapist will determine the specific skincare product prescription during your advanced skincare analysis, depending on your skin type.
Enzyme Therapy treatments work wonders in preparing your skin for more advanced treatments by gently exfoliating, balancing its tone, and setting the stage for subsequent procedures. Once your skin is adequately primed, the next step is to consider a DMK Remodelling Peel—a remarkable treatment designed to specifically target and remove pigmentation.
A DMK Remodelling Peel is a powerful solution to combat melasma and restore your skin's natural radiance.
Combining enzyme treatments followed by a DMK Remodelling Peel presents a promising pathway towards effectively addressing melasma and reclaiming confidence in your skin. So you can say goodbye to the burdensome patches and hello to a brighter, more even complexion with this transformative approach.
Therefore, while IPL facials have proven to be a powerhouse treatment for many pigmentation problems, melasma must not be treated this way. Remember, treating melasma is like a delicate waltz – it requires patience, expertise, and a careful selection of dance partners. So, schedule a skin analysis today to determine who, or rather, what, needs to be written on your dance card.
If you want to learn more or research the medical implications of IPL and melasma, check out this medical review paper on laser and light therapy in melasma to get you started. If you have follow-up questions, we are always only an email or phone call away and would love to hear from you.