Melasma Treatment: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Melasma treatment may be necessary if the dark pigmented skin persists. Melasma typically occurs during pregnancy and is also known as the mask of pregnancy. Melasma is more common in women and is associated with a higher hormonal concentration. The darkly pigmented patches on the face generally disappear once the patient has her baby. However, the patient may opt for treatment. Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) can be used to eliminate melasma.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

Intense pulsed light therapy or IPL is a laser treatment that may be employed to reduce aging signs, age spots, as well as other skin imperfections such as hyperpigmentation or melasma. A device that releases laser beams will be employed on the skin and the device will cover small portions of skin at one time. The entire treatment may take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the area that needs to be covered. The treatment doesn’t require anesthesia, but a cooler is typically used during the treatment to reduce the discomfort caused by the powerful laser beams.

IPL for Melasma

Melasma occurs due to a higher concentration of melanin, which is responsible for the pigmentation of the skin. The heat will destroy these cells and the melasma will be eliminated.

There are two types of melasma: epidermal and dermal. The epidermal affects more superficial layers of skin. IPL is mostly recommended for epidermal melasma, but in some cases may also work in patients with dermal melasma.