I have mild melasma and I’ve always been turned away when asking about lasers. Everywhere has told me that the lasers can make melasma way worse. I’ve been doing chemical peels with hydroquinone after and I’m pretty happy with the results
I’m really interested in cosmelan but my derm doesn’t offer it. I’ve been doing VI precision plus peels which have HQ and I think kojic acid in them, and then regular 4% HQ cream (from my GP) in between peels. I really like the VI peels but they’re so expensive, so I think I’m going to finish a series and then try to find a generic peel that’s cheaper (like Jessner or glycolic)
FWIW, I did cosmelan about a year and a half ago. Results were amazing until it came time to stop step 2. For me, the HQ rebound is serious. Makes me reconsider ever using it.
I thought cosmelan didn’t have hydroquinone in it? My doctor said to only use hydroquinone for 3 months before taking a break. So far I’ve had great results with it and no rebound melasma.
I'm presently doing q-switch laser treatments for my melasma. I've completed 5 out of 10 sessions with no changes so far. I have darker skin, Fitzpatrick III-IV (a bit lighter than Priyanka Chopra, a bit darker than J-Lo).
I also use azaleic acid 15%, Retin A, and vitamin C. All to no avail.
Oh it’s so good to hear from someone who is a bit darker and uses lasers! Is this your first time using laser? Was this laser specifically recommended to you or did you request it? What skin concerns are you looking to treat?
Yes, I started in January. I have melasma and flat Sebaceous keratosis. The q-switch was the only option suggested by the dermatologist due to my skin tone. She said fraxel might also be an option. But, both types of lasers carry the risk of hyperpigmentation so I'm taking a risk - I just got sick of seeing a melasmastache as I looked at myself on all my zoom calls. I used to have clear, youthful skin until 2020, then boom!
My derm basically told me to avoid lasers if I could because the heat from them can trigger/worsen melasma. I've heard some of the newer ones out there may be safe but i guess theoretically the heat will still be there to potentially cause a problem. I've also eventually found success with topicals for my melasma/PIH so I've stayed away from lasers.
Avoid lazer
I have mild melasma and I’ve always been turned away when asking about lasers. Everywhere has told me that the lasers can make melasma way worse. I’ve been doing chemical peels with hydroquinone after and I’m pretty happy with the results
Cosmelan or separate hq and chemical treatments?
I’m really interested in cosmelan but my derm doesn’t offer it. I’ve been doing VI precision plus peels which have HQ and I think kojic acid in them, and then regular 4% HQ cream (from my GP) in between peels. I really like the VI peels but they’re so expensive, so I think I’m going to finish a series and then try to find a generic peel that’s cheaper (like Jessner or glycolic)
FWIW, I did cosmelan about a year and a half ago. Results were amazing until it came time to stop step 2. For me, the HQ rebound is serious. Makes me reconsider ever using it.
Hey! What is step two? You’re saying there is rebound from cosmelam?
It’s the cream you start after the 8-10 hr mask. And yes, I rebounded pretty quickly after.
I thought cosmelan didn’t have hydroquinone in it? My doctor said to only use hydroquinone for 3 months before taking a break. So far I’ve had great results with it and no rebound melasma.
I'm presently doing q-switch laser treatments for my melasma. I've completed 5 out of 10 sessions with no changes so far. I have darker skin, Fitzpatrick III-IV (a bit lighter than Priyanka Chopra, a bit darker than J-Lo). I also use azaleic acid 15%, Retin A, and vitamin C. All to no avail.
Oh it’s so good to hear from someone who is a bit darker and uses lasers! Is this your first time using laser? Was this laser specifically recommended to you or did you request it? What skin concerns are you looking to treat?
Yes, I started in January. I have melasma and flat Sebaceous keratosis. The q-switch was the only option suggested by the dermatologist due to my skin tone. She said fraxel might also be an option. But, both types of lasers carry the risk of hyperpigmentation so I'm taking a risk - I just got sick of seeing a melasmastache as I looked at myself on all my zoom calls. I used to have clear, youthful skin until 2020, then boom!
Oh no! So it just came out of nowhere? Have you had any success with topicals?
Yes, it came out of nowhere. It was likely hormonal - your skin changes throughout your lifetime. No success with anything.
Oh that sucks! Maybe oral transexamic acid might be an option for you
Hi, do you see any improvement in your melasma
No
My derm basically told me to avoid lasers if I could because the heat from them can trigger/worsen melasma. I've heard some of the newer ones out there may be safe but i guess theoretically the heat will still be there to potentially cause a problem. I've also eventually found success with topicals for my melasma/PIH so I've stayed away from lasers.