If you have melasma, you know how frustrating it can be. Brown or grey-brown patches show up on your cheeks, forehead, nose or upper lip, makeup only covers so much, and they seem to get darker every summer. The good news: melasma can be treated. The honest news: it takes a gentle, patient approach, and a little ongoing care.
What is melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition where your skin makes too much pigment in certain areas, usually in a symmetrical pattern on the face. It's not harmful, but it can really affect how you feel about your skin.
What causes it?
There usually isn't one single cause. Common triggers include:
- Sun and heat. UV light and even heat can darken melasma.
- Hormones. Pregnancy (it's sometimes called "the mask of pregnancy"), birth control and other hormone changes.
- Genetics. It often runs in families.
- Skin tone. It's more common in medium and darker skin tones.
Why gentle matters
Melasma doesn't like heat or irritation. Treatments that are too aggressive can actually make it darker. That's why the approach matters as much as the treatment itself.
How Pico Genesis can help
Pico Genesis is a gentle laser facial. It uses very short bursts of laser energy, spread evenly across the skin, to break up excess pigment so your body can clear it away, with less heat reaching your skin. It has no downtime, and it's suitable for all skin types, including darker skin tones.
We tune the settings to your skin, keep you comfortable throughout, and always finish with a cooling facial mask to calm your skin.
What to expect
- A free consult first. We look at your skin, talk through your history and triggers, and recommend a plan.
- A series of treatments. Melasma usually responds best to a series rather than one session. We'll recommend a plan for your skin rather than a set number.
- Gradual results. Patches tend to lighten over time, not overnight.
Can melasma come back?
Yes, and we'd rather tell you that up front. Melasma can be managed and lightened, but there's no permanent cure. Sun, heat and hormones can bring it back. Most people keep it under control with daily sun protection and occasional maintenance treatments.
Protecting your results
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even in an Edmonton winter, and reapply when you're outside.
- Add a wide-brimmed hat when you're in the sun.
- Tell us about any hormone changes, like pregnancy or new birth control, so we can adjust your plan.
Pico Genesis or Pico Genesis FX?
For melasma, we usually start with Pico Genesis because it's the gentler of the two. If you also want to work on fine lines, texture or acne scarring, we'll talk through whether Pico Genesis FX fits into your plan. See Pico Genesis vs. Pico Genesis FX.
The short version
- Melasma can be treated, gently.
- Pico Genesis has no downtime and suits all skin types.
- A series of treatments, sun protection and occasional maintenance give the best results.
- Your consult is free, and pricing is quoted there.