Naebang Station Dermatology Clinic: Types and Effects of Laser Treatments for Melasma — They Should Be Chosen According to Skin Condition

Naebang Station Dermatology Clinic: Types and Effects of Laser Treatments for Melasma — They Should Be Chosen According to Skin Condition

Many of you may have been bothered by the brown patches spread under your eyes and across your cheekbones every time you look in the mirror. There are many people who keep worrying about melasma for a long time, even after covering it with foundation, only to find that it is still there once they remove their makeup and eventually come to the clinic. Some people say, “I started because I was told it would go away if I got laser treatment, but why isn’t it working for me?” and some are surprised, saying, “It seems like it got even darker.”

Unlike simple pigmentation, melasma is often deeply rooted in the dermis, and because it is continuously influenced by ultraviolet rays and hormones, an accurate approach matched to the skin condition is needed even when receiving melasma laser treatment. Today, I’ll explain in detail why melasma develops and how melasma laser treatments should be used effectively.

Why doesn’t melasma go away easily even after laser treatment?

Naebang Station Dermatology Clinic: Types and Effects of Laser Treatments for Melasma — They Should Be Chosen According to Skin Condition

The reason melasma is more difficult to treat than other pigment disorders is that the pigment is often deeply located not only in the epidermis but also in the dermis. In addition, when exposed to ultraviolet rays or under stress, melanocytes can become active again, so it has a tendency to recur quickly even after treatment. When hormonal changes are added on top of that, melasma can become noticeably darker after pregnancy or after taking oral contraceptives.

If a strong laser is used all at once, the melanocytes may instead be stimulated, causing a rebound effect in which the pigmentation becomes even darker. That is why, for melasma laser treatment, it is important to take a toning approach that delivers low energy evenly over a wide area, and the device and method should be adjusted according to the skin condition and the depth of the melasma.

Using PicoPlus to break down pigment particles into smaller pieces

Naebang Station Dermatology Clinic: Types and Effects of Laser Treatments for Melasma — They Should Be Chosen According to Skin Condition

Among melasma laser treatments, PicoPlus works by delivering energy to the skin in much shorter time units than conventional lasers, breaking pigment particles into very fine pieces. Because the energy is delivered briefly, there is less thermal damage to the surrounding skin tissue, making it suitable for treating sensitive pigmentation such as melasma.

When pigment particles are broken down into finer pieces, the body’s immune cells naturally absorb and eliminate them, and the melasma gradually fades. Because it breaks down pigment without strong stimulation, it is a method that can help manage melasma while reducing the risk of rebound effects. Rather than disappearing dramatically in just one treatment, the right approach to melasma treatment is to receive it consistently and gradually lighten the pigmentation over time.

Clarity Pro helps address deeper pigmentation and overall skin tone at the same time

Naebang Station Dermatology Clinic: Types and Effects of Laser Treatments for Melasma — They Should Be Chosen According to Skin Condition

Clarity Pro is another device used along with PicoPlus in melasma treatment. It is equipped with two wavelengths, 755nm and 1064nm, allowing different wavelengths to be selected depending on the depth of the skin. Its strength lies in being able to approach pigmentation layer by layer, from shallow pigment near the epidermis to pigment deep in the dermis, which is especially useful for treating pigmentation with varying depths like melasma.

In addition, its Genesis mode can help even out overall skin tone and improve vascular redness at the same time. This device is especially helpful for people who are concerned about melasma along with dull skin tone or redness.

Laser treatment should be combined with whitening medication management

Naebang Station Dermatology Clinic: Types and Effects of Laser Treatments for Melasma — They Should Be Chosen According to Skin Condition

Laser treatment alone has its limits for melasma. To maintain the effect for much longer, medication treatment should be combined with laser treatment, which breaks down the pigment that has already formed while also suppressing the melanocytes from producing pigment again. In dermatology clinics, treatment is combined by prescribing whitening topical medications containing ingredients such as hydroquinone or tretinoin, or oral medication containing tranexamic acid to suppress melanin production itself. In addition, UV protection is the most basic part of melasma treatment. No matter how good the laser treatment is, if UV protection is neglected, the treatment effect can quickly fall apart, so it is very important to apply sunscreen carefully whenever going বাইরে.

Melasma is a pigment disorder that can actually become darker or recur more easily the more urgently you try to remove it. The wisest approach is to accurately determine the depth and condition of your own melasma and consistently combine the right melasma laser treatment with medication management suited to it. Don’t worry about it alone—please first have a dermatologist check your skin condition. I’ll carefully help you regain clear, even skin without melasma.

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