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Melasma & Pigmentation

Melasma Treatment

Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that’s typically prevalent in women. Although it’s a bit of a mystery in the medical community, Melasma is believed to be a hormonal side effect as it usually effects women of reproductive age during pregnancy. There have also been studies that have linked Melasma as a side effect of birth control.

 

Melasma typically occurs on different parts of the face such as the forehead, upper lip, and cheeks in the form of greyish-brown or dark brown patches. Men can develop Melasma, but these cases are few in comparison to women. Thankfully, laser Melasma removal treatment are available here at our clinic. Through a combination of Spectra Carbon Laser Peel and Laser Toning, treatment is pain-free with no visible downtime and long term results. 

Prices Starting from $350

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specialist applying carbon facial peel

Types of Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a fairly common skin discolouration that takes on many different forms and has a wide range of causes based on several lifestyle, skincare, and genetic factors. There are two types of hyperpigmentation that we treat. They are:

  1. Melasma: Melasma is a skin condition usually seen in women and is characterized by darker patches of skin. These patches often appear on the cheeks, upper lip, chin, and forehead and are generally the result of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy. Commonly called the “pregnancy mask”, in most cases Melasma disappears after delivery. However, in a small percentage, the condition remains on the face. Melasma is also common in pre-menopausal women. Women with a light brown skin type who are living in regions with intense sun exposure are particularly susceptible to developing this condition.

  2. Age spots: which are also referred to as photoaging, solar lentigines, and liver spots, are inevitable for most people. As you get older, your skin tends to slow down collagen production. Collagen is the main connective tissue protein in your body that essentially binds your skin cells together. It also generates new and healthy skin cells that promote firmness and elasticity to help give your skin a youthful and radiant appearance resulting in an even skin tone. Lack of collagen in addition to prolonged overexposure to the sun can accelerate and increase the development of age spots on your skin over time. Age spots are most prevalent on parts of the skin that are most commonly exposed to the sun such as your face, arms, hands, chest, and legs in warmer months.

 

before after melasma
before after melasma

What To Expect During Your Treatments

Are you concerned about the appearance of age spots or Melasma? At the Anti-Aging Clinic, we offer a variety of treatment options to help improve the appearance of your skin. In this FAQ, we'll give you an overview of what to expect during a removal treatment. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help you get the best possible results from your treatment.

On Melasma:

  • What are symptoms of Melasma?

    Melasma removal does not typically come with any uncomfortable or painful symptoms. The condition is entirely cosmetic, and it only affects the appearance of the skin. It is not associated with skin cancer (melanoma) although any unusual developments of skin ailments should be checked out by a health professional or dermatologist. 


    The symptoms of Melasma include dark, irregular, or distinguished patches on the skin, which appear gradually over time. Since this condition affects the skin, especially on the face, many women become frustrated and embarrassed about the appearance of their skin. Although this is not directly caused by Melasma, the fear of interacting with others and self-conscious association with the skin condition can lead to minor negative psychological effects.

  • What causes Melasma?

    Your skin consists of melanin, which is a group of natural pigments found in your skin cells. Melanin is the substance that provides colour for your hair, eyes, and skin. Overproduction of melanin is what leads to Melasma or dark patches on the skin that can sometimes resemble bruising. Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation on the skin. It’s essentially a symptom of a number of different conditions and therefore, it doesn’t have a singular cause. 


  • What factors can contribute to Melasma?

    The following factors can contribute to the development of Melasma:

     

    • Sudden hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, stress, medications, menopause, hormone therapy, or birth control
    • High body temperature, which sends melanin production in the skin cells into overdrive
    • Genetics
    • Thyroid disease,
    • Certain skin-irritating cosmetics
    • Addison’s disease (a condition in which the body’s natural hormone production is depleted)
    • Unprotected overexposure to the sun, particularly UV rays, and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments can both trigger and exacerbate Melasma as a symptom of the abovementioned conditions and environmental factors. 

  • Can IPL improve the appearance of Melasma?

    IPL is meant to improve the appearance of the skin by treating and reducing hyperpigmentation and sun damage. 


    However, it’s not an effective treatment for Melasma and can often worsen the condition by making the patches of skin even darker. To effectively treat sun damage on your skin, consult a licensed skincare specialist.


  • Which Melasma treatment really works?

    Some women have found that their Melasma disappears on its own, especially when the cause was attributed to hormonal changes from birth control pills and pregnancy. In cases where the condition is not clearing up on its own, there are solutions for effective removal.

     

    At the Anti Aging Clinic Toronto, our skin care experts specialize in melasma laser treatment that results in a more even skin tone. Melasma treatment is non-invasive and elicits noticeable results almost immediately. The treatment is done over the course of about 10 weeks (it could be less or more depending on the severity of your condition) with two different procedures being performed on alternating weeks. 


    For optimal results, the first week consists of Laser Spectra Peel and the second week consists of Laser Toning treatment. Combining these two treatments to work together effectively eliminates or greatly reduces the appearance of Melasma and results in a smooth and even skin tone.


  • What are the benefits of treating Melasma with Anti-Aging Clinic?

    Benefits include:

     

    • No recovery or downtime – you can immediately resume regular activities
    • Fast noticeable and long-term results on the dermis and epidermis
    • Non-invasive and pain-free procedure
    • Works well and is safe for most skin types

  • What is Laser Toning?

    Laser toning is a minimally invasive, effective, and safe procedure that involves the use of laser energy to penetrate several layers of skin tissue and break up the colour pigments to even out the skin tone, resulting in a smooth and clear complexion. This procedure is used to treat a range of cosmetic conditions including signs of aging (wrinkles, fine lines), acne scars, sun spots, dark spots, and even injury scars. Disturbing the melanin in skin cells automatically sends the body into repair mode. Damaged or dead skin cells are removed and replaced with new cells, resulting in a more rejuvenated and even skin tone. These sessions take about 30-60 minutes.


On Age Spots:

  • What are age spots and how did I get them?

    Age spots, sometimes known as liver spots, pigmented lesions, or hyperpigmentation, are more common in adults over 40. These dark brown or black spots are caused by an abnormal concentration of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour; so, an abnormal deposit of melanin can cause age spots to form. Doctors pin it to a number of reasons, specifically overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.


  • Can I get rid of age spots permanently?

    Let’s face it, age spots aren’t pretty. They are constant reminders that you are getting older—and if you aren’t aging gracefully, it could lead to low self-esteem. Age spot laser removal treatment is the most effective and efficient way to get rid of these unsightly blemishes. The effects of laser pigmentation removal could be permanent, although they may come back due to sun exposure.


  • What can I expect during an age spot or pigment removal treatment?

    The laser is applied over the pigment to either induce a scab like a mosquito bite that it will fall after a couple of weeks, or induce frosting that will peel in a week or two.


    It might take two or more sessions to remove them. You can return to your regular life immediately after the treatment. Our procedures are safe, non-invasive, and there is no downtime.


    If more than one session is required to remove the age spot or pigment, follow-up sessions are 50% off.

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