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Melasma
Do you struggle with melasma? It is a common skin condition that typically appears as brown patches or freckles on your skin. While it is completely harmless, you can treat it if it bothers you
How can we help you
Complimentary laser consultation
Cutting edge laser technology for treatment
Personalized care and support
Overview
Causes of Melasma
Melasma is a common condition, especially among women. It is most common among pregnant women as they experience increases in estrogen and progesterone levels during their pregnancy. Other common causes for melasma include:
- Sun exposure: people typically experience more “flare-up” during the summer season as they get increased exposure to the sun
- Hormones: increases in your estrogen and progesterone can cause melasma. If you use birth control pills which increase your estrogen and progesterone levels, that may cause melasma
- Genetics: if you have someone in your family who experience melasma, you are more likely to have melasma as well
- Skincare products: sometimes, using skincare products that irritate your skin may make your melasma worse
Symptoms of Melasma
Melasma typically appears as brown or grayish patches or freckles on your skin. It’s most commonly found on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and above your lips. It can also be found on your neck, chest, and shoulders.
The condition is completely harmless, but you can treat it if it makes you feel self-conscious.
Introducing Moxi Laser for Melasma
Moxi is a unique non-ablative laser treatment that gently resurfaces the skin to boost collagen and elastin. It promotes cell turnover and skin renewal which helps reduce existing pigmentation and produce healthier skin. Because Moxi targets water in our skin vs. melanin, it reduces the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation making it safe for all skin tones. We love Moxi because:
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- Zero down-time (known as the “lunchtime laser”)
- Safe for all skin types and tones
- Improves skin texture and smooths skin
Melasma FAQ
Q
Why is Moxi laser the safest choice for melasma?
A
Melasma is highly sensitive to heat; traditional high-heat lasers can actually trigger more pigment production. Moxi laser is a “fractionated” non-ablative laser that uses a specific wavelength to target pigment without generating the intense heat that worsens melasma. This makes it one of the few laser treatments that can effectively brighten melasma patches while keeping the surrounding skin stable
Q
Can a BBL Photofacial treat my melasma?
A
At U Med Spa, we do not treat patients with melasma with BBL Photofacial or IPL. These are light energy based treatments that target melanin in our skin which can sometimes trigger post-inflammatory response that worsens melasma
For most melasma patients, we recommend Moxi laser instead, as it provides a much more controlled and gentle approach to pigment clearance without the “rebound” risk associated with high-intensity light
Q
How many sessions of Moxi laser do I need to brighten my skin?
A
Melasma is a journey, not a quick fix. To see a significant reduction in the “mask of pregnancy” or dark patches, we typically recommend a series of 3 to 4 Moxi treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. This gradual approach allows us to lift the pigment safely without overwhelming the skin
After the initial series, we typically recommend patients to maintain their results with quarterly or semi-annual treatments
Q
Is Melasma permanent, or can it be cured?
A
There is currently no “cure” for melasma because it is a chronic condition often tied to hormones and genetics. However, it can be successfully managed. Moxi helps clear the existing pigment, while a strict medical-grade skincare routine (including pigment inhibitors) and consistent sun protection will protect you from darkening of the pigment
At U Med Spa, our laser technicians can guide you on the right medical-grade skincare routine for propert at-home care
Q
Why is sun protection so critical for melasma patients?
A
If you have melasma, even 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure can undo months of treatment. UV rays act as a trigger for melasma. We recommend a physical (mineral) sunscreen containing Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide, as these reflect heat and light away from the skin, whereas chemical sunscreens can trap heat.
U Med approach
At U Med Spa, we recognize that melasma is a complex, sensitive condition that requires a specialized touch. We prioritize MOXI™ as our gold standard for melasma, as it is the safest laser choice for effectively targeting pigment without the high heat that can often trigger flares.
Our expert medical team is highly knowledgeable in treating all skin tones. To ensure your safety and comfort, we provide a complimentary laser consultation to assess your skin and design a custom preparation protocol. By properly prepping the skin and utilizing MOXI’s gentle technology, we help you achieve a clearer, more even complexion while maintaining the long-term health of your skin.
Meet our expert team for melasma
Hannah Smith (CLT)
Hannah is a licensed aesthetician and a certified laser practitioner with experience in cutting edge laser technologies. She specializes in laser resurfacing treatments, Broadband light therapy ("BBL"), and skin tightening treatments
Claire Schroyer (RN)
Claire is a Registered Nurse and an advanced aesthetic injector with over 5 years of experience. She is highly experienced in neuromodulators, dermal fillers, and laser treatments with a speciality in regenerative treatments such as Sculptra
Drea Hainebach (PA-C)
Drea is a Board Certified Physician Associate and an advanced aesthetic injector with experience in plastic surgery and medical aesthetics. She brings a wealth of knowledge in facial anatomy, injectable treatments, and advanced laser treatments
Kenzie Morgan (RN)
Kenzie is a BSN-prepared Registered Nurse and an advanced aesthetic injector with over 5 years of experience. She specializes in achieving natural-looking results with personalized holistic assessments and facial balancing treatmentsRelevant blogs
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Let our experts look after you.
All of our consultations are complimentary. Our providers are happy to discuss any questions you may have during your consultation!
