Through Dermatology Treatment for Melasma and Age Spots Removal

[Dermatologist Lee Yuduk]

Hello,

A place that creates a comfortable face rather than excessive change.

This is Easyham Dermatology.

"Have you found brown spots on your face while looking in the mirror, and are you worried about age spots and melasma that cannot be covered with makeup?" Pigmentary conditions are skin concerns experienced by many people.

In particular, as we get older, interest in melasma and age spot removal increases, and it is connected not only to cosmetic concerns but also to skin health. Today, let’s look at why dermatology treatment can help manage pigmentary conditions and what approaches are available.

A beauty consulting service that is 'beneficial'

I am dermatologist 'Lee Yuduk'.

What is the difference between melasma and age spots?

In the dermatology clinic,

we often see people who visit

for pigmentary conditions.

Even when they are both brown spots,

melasma and age spots

have completely different characteristics,

so without an accurate diagnosis,

proper management is difficult.

Melasma appears as

brown or grayish-brown patches

caused by excessive melanin deposition,

and it usually appears symmetrically

on both cheeks, the forehead,

and around the nose.

Its edges are unclear

and it tends to spread widely.

In many cases, pigment is deposited

not only in the epidermis but also

in the dermis.

Age spots are medically called

seborrheic keratosis, and unlike melasma,

they are slightly raised on the skin surface

and have relatively clear borders.

They are a type of benign tumor

that often develops after middle age,

mainly in areas exposed to

sunlight for a long time.

Because these two conditions differ

in cause, depth, and shape,

the management methods must also differ.

Why is dermatology treatment necessary?

Whitening products or cosmetics used at home

have their limits.

In the case of melasma and age spot removal,

pigment often settles deep in the dermis,

so surface-level approaches

make it difficult to achieve the desired change.

Also, something that looks like melasma

may actually be another pigmentary condition,

so an accurate diagnosis

must come first.

At the dermatology clinic, a Wood’s lamp examination

can be used to identify the depth and type of pigment,

and a customized care plan

that matches each person’s skin condition

can be suggested.

In the case of age spots,

even though they are benign tumors,

there are cases where it is necessary to check

for the possibility of malignant change,

so a specialist’s diagnosis is important.

What kinds of management methods are there?

IPL and laser toning are widely used

for melasma management.

IPL uses a broad wavelength range of light

to address not only pigment but also

vascular lesions and changes in skin tone

at the same time.

Laser toning is a method that uses a laser

with a specific wavelength to act on

deeper pigment layers in a focused way

and break down the pigment.

Depending on the skin condition,

the two methods may be combined appropriately,

or other devices such as a PICO laser

may be used together.

For age spots, removal may be attempted

with a CO2 laser or cryotherapy.

Because they are raised on the surface,

a different approach from melasma is needed,

and in general, treatment is often performed

about 1 to 2 times, though there are individual differences.

However, even after removal,

new age spots can still appear,

so ongoing sun protection management

is important.

How does the treatment process proceed?

Melasma and age spot removal

is carried out over several sessions

depending on the degree of pigment deposition.

In general, treatment is often received

about 5 to 10 times at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks,

though this varies from person to person.

Immediately after the procedure,

the pigment may temporarily look darker,

which is a natural reaction as pigment from

deep within the skin rises to the surface.

As time passes,

the dead skin cells on the skin surface

may shed, and changes in skin tone

may also appear.

Age spot removal is relatively simple,

but a temporary scab may form in the treated area,

and it is important not to pick it off

until it naturally falls away.

Post-treatment care is important

The most important thing after melasma

and age spot removal

is preventing recurrence and preventing

new pigment formation.

Ultraviolet rays are the biggest cause

of pigmentary conditions,

so you should use a sunscreen with SPF50+

every day.

Even indoors, UV rays enter through windows,

so it is best to apply it carefully in the morning

and reapply every 2 to 3 hours.

For about a week after the procedure,

please avoid saunas, steam rooms,

and excessive exercise, and do not rub the area

too hard or force dead skin to come off.

Adequate moisturizing care is also necessary.

If the skin becomes dry,

pigment deposition can occur more easily,

and recovery may also be slower.

In particular, melasma is also affected by

hormonal changes and stress,

so lifestyle management should also be done together.

Verified methods and honest diagnosis

Pigmentary conditions may look like

the same brown spots,

but their depth, type, and causes

are all different.

Some people may have pigment only

in the epidermis,

while others may have deep deposition

even in the dermis.

In addition, there are many cases where

melasma and age spots coexist,

so an approach suited to each is needed.

Above all, it is important to accurately understand

the visitor’s skin condition

and manage it steadily within a range

that does not place excessive burden on the skin,

rather than using aggressive methods.

Rather than a place that talks about dramatic changes

with just one procedure,

it is better to choose a place

that can manage things together

from a long-term perspective.

To those who are worried about

pigmentary conditions,

I would like to say this.

Melasma and age spots are conditions

for which positive changes in skin condition

can be expected when managed with

the appropriate method.

However, do not be impatient,

and based on an accurate diagnosis,

it is important to receive an approach

that suits your own skin.

Every skin is different.

Rather than a simple method,

what should come first is diagnosis and

customized care that matches each person’s skin condition.

Through honest treatment, verified methods,

and the hands of a specialist,

we aim to be a hospital that can be trusted

for a long time rather than for just one procedure.

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