Melasma is a common skin condition, especially for women. While it’s primarily a cosmetic issue, it can make you feel self-conscious. If you’ve recently developed telltale pigmentation, you may be wondering where to find melasma treatment in Indianapolis.
At Phases Skin Care and Laser Center, we create customized skin treatment plans for each of our patients. Our goal is always to help you look and feel your best through personalized skin care.
First, is it melasma or something else?
There are some important indicators that what’s happening to your skin isn’t melasma. So before you seek melasma treatment in Indianapolis, you should take note of these.
Is it painful?
There’s no pain associated with melasma, it’s only a change in your skin’s natural pigment.
Is there itching?
If your skin is itchy, it’s probably not melasma. You won’t be able to feel the condition on your skin, only see it.
Is your skin raised?
Melasma doesn’t cause skin texture issues. If your skin is rough to the touch, you might be dealing with a different skin concern.
Why it’s important to seek professional guidance
It’s easy to mistake melasma for something else or vice versa. It’s also possible for melasma to be happening alongside another skin concern. That’s why booking a professional skin consultation is the best way to figure out exactly what’s going on with your skin.
Skinprint analysis
At Phases, we offer the Skinprint Skin Analysis in Indianapolis and recommend it to all of our patients. Skinprint focuses on the biochemistry of your skin to create custom products and lasting improvements.
We can use skin analysis technology to see the extent of your melasma and make the best treatment recommendations!
Medical-grade skincare
The other benefit of seeking professional help is getting access to medical-grade skincare products. Medical-grade skincare products have high concentrations of active ingredients compared to what you can get over the counter. Strong ingredients lead to better results, sooner!
What are the best options for melasma treatment in Indianapolis?
Unfortunately, if your melasma is caused by genetics or hormones, a skin treatment can only help lessen the appearance. If your melasma is caused by sun damage, it can be treated more easily.
Treating melasma takes time, so it will likely be a few months before it fades away. But with a dedicated treatment plan, you’ll see clearer skin in no time!
Exfoliation is one of the best ways to treat melasma because it causes your skin to shed the darker cells. Then your body replaces them with newer skin cells with your normal pigmentation. Each of these treatments helps speed up our body’s natural exfoliation process.
HydraFacial
The HydraFacial is one of our gentlest skin treatments and is a great way to start off your melasma treatment in Indianapolis.
With a 3-step patented process, the HydraFacial gently exfoliates and cleanses your skin. HydraFacial also has signature boosters that can address pigmentation issues.
DiamondGlow
The DiamondGlow is very similar to a HydraFacial, but with one key difference: the diamond tip. This facial provides slightly more extensive exfoliation while infusing your skin with nourishing serums.
Both the DiamonGlow and HydraFacial can be paired with more aggressive skin resurfacing treatments to bolster your melasma treatment in Indianapolis.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a safe and effective way to resurface your skin and lessen the appearance of melasma. Using a combination of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other ingredients, the peel gently removes the top layer of your skin and the damaged melasma cells.
Learn more about chemical peels
Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a great option for melasma that hasn’t responded to other treatments. It is the most aggressive skin resurfacing treatment we offer at Phases, but is also fully customizable thanks to our array of laser devices to choose from.
During laser treatments, your aesthetician uses a laser to gently remove the upper layers of your skin. The depth can be adjusted based on your unique skin condition.
Learn more about Melasma Laser Treatment
What happens when I book a melasma treatment in Indianapolis?
At Phases Skin Care and Laser Center, all of our treatment plans are customized for each of our patients. Your skin is unique, your treatment should be, too!
Consultation
Your medical aesthetician will discuss your concerns and goals for your skin. She’ll go over your medical history, examine your skin, and provide recommendations for what procedure(s) and skin care products will create the best melasma treatment for you.
Treatment
When you arrive, you’ll be invited to one of our comfortable and relaxing treatment rooms. We’ll give you a comprehensive review of the treatment, make sure you understand what to expect, and answer any questions.
All of our melasma treatment options are outpatient procedures, you’ll get to go home the same day. We provide detailed aftercare instructions to all laser resurfacing patients to ensure your skin heals quickly and easily.
Next Steps
After your treatment, we will reassess your skin and give you another brief review of your post-treatment instructions. Then our front desk staff will help you book any follow-up appointments needed to maintain your overall treatment plan.
It may take several treatments to address melasma, especially if the pigment is in the dermal layer. The important thing is to be consistent with your care plan and at-home skin care.
How to get the most out of your melasma treatment in Indianapolis
Taking care of your skin is more than getting an in-office melasma treatment in Indianapolis. It’s important to be caring for your skin at home, too!
Don’t neglect your sun protection!
Because sun damage is the biggest trigger for melasma, it’s absolutely critical that you protect your skin to avoid flare-ups!
Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 35 every day is the best way to protect your skin. You should use higher SPFs if you’re going to be in the sun longer and make sure you reapply diligently.
Adjust your at-home skincare
As we said earlier, medical-grade skincare products can be extra helpful when addressing skin conditions like melasma.
Upgrading your at-home skincare routine can support the results of your in-office treatments. Our aestheticians are always happy to make recommendations during your consultation!
What causes melasma?
Melasma treatment starts with understanding the cause of your skin condition. Hormones and sun damage are the two biggest triggers for melasma.
Hormones
Increased estrogen levels are a major cause of melasma, so much so that it’s often called “the mask of pregnancy” because it frequently affects those that are pregnant.
While melasma treatment when you’re pregnant may lessen its appearance, unfortunately, the condition isn’t likely to go away until after you’ve given birth.
Sun damage
Frequent exposure to the sun’s UV rays can trigger melasma. Sunlight causes our skin to produce more melanin, which makes our skin darker and explains why melasma tends to develop where our skin gets the most sun: the face.
Genetics
Like many skin conditions, genetics plays a part in your chances of developing melasma. Up to 50% of people with melasma have a close relative who does as well.
Medications
Hormonal birth control can trigger melasma, but so can certain skincare products if they irritate your skin.
It’s possible for melasma to go away on its own, especially if it’s caused by pregnancy or medication. However, professional skin treatments can speed up the process.
What happens to your skin when you develop melasma?
Your skin has layers and your melasma diagnosis is based on how deeply the melasma pigment penetrates. There are 3 types of melasma: epidermal, dermal, and mixed.
Epidermal melasma responds the best to topical treatments because it is nearest the surface of your skin. Dermal melasma is in the deeper dermis layer of your skin and mixed melasma is present in the dermis and outer layers.
Patients with mixed melasma are the most common.
What areas of the body get melasma?
- Cheeks
- Nose
- Neck
- Jawline
- Shoulders/Upper arms
Book your consultation at Phases Skin Care and Laser Center!
Phases Skin Care and Laser Center is proud to provide the highest quality and the latest technology in non-surgical skin care. We are passionate about bringing non-surgical treatments that really work to our community.
Our aestheticians are ready to help with professional and personalized melasma treatment in Indianapolis!
Interested in exploring our other aesthetic treatment options? Our virtual consultation tool is available 24/7. Just answer a few simple questions and you’ll receive personalized recommendations right to your inbox.
