Melasma Treatment
Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that is common during hormonal fluctuations, such as those related to pregnancy or birth control pill usage. Dark-colored, irregular patches may arise in the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin, causing a mottled complexion. While melasma is not medically dangerous in any way, it can cause self-consciousness in patients, inhibiting their quality of life and peace of mind. Melasma treatments at the Advanced Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids, MI, are overseen by Dr. Ewa Timek, a Fellowship-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon who ensures your utmost safety and the natural elegance of your final results.
What is Melasma Treatment?
Melasma appears as irregular skin patches that can be brown, grey, or tan in color. The patches most commonly emerge in the cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, and upper lip, making the complexion look shadowy and uneven. While the condition is mainly attributed to hormonal changes, it can also be brought on by medications or excessive sun exposure.
Patients with darker skin are more prone to experiencing melasma because they have more pigment-producing skin cells (melanocytes.) When melanocytes go into overdrive as the result of an internal trigger, the skin typically exhibits the darkened, discolored patches that characterize melasma.
Dr. Timek and her team in Grand Rapids treat melasma through a variety of cutting-edge modalities that can revitalize the appearance and boost self-confidence.
Treatments for Melasma
Chemical peels
Chemical peels achieve chemical exfoliation, which rids the complexion of its outermost damaged layer to reveal a more pristine, radiant glow. A VI Peel is a painless, medium-depth chemical peel known for addressing melasma. Made with TCA, retinoic acid, phenol, and salicylic acid, the VI Peel is a gentle yet powerful solution for unevenness that simultaneously encourages collagen renewal for firmer pores.
Laser treatments
Dr. Timek offers a range of laser treatments to effectively reduce melasma’s appearance. The Pico Carbon Laser is especially effective in enhancing skin tone and texture. While it can take several sessions to achieve your ideal results, laser therapy can destroy surface-level imperfections and blemishes while reviving the skin’s luminosity and suppleness through long-lasting collagen regeneration.
What Are the Benefits of Melasma Treatment?
When performed by our experienced, licensed practitioners in Grand Rapids, melasma treatment comes with a wide array of outstanding benefits, including the following:
- Reduces dark, irregular skin patches
- Enhances the skin tone and texture
- Reboots collagen production
- Restores a radiant, youthful glow
- Brightens and clarifies the complexion
- Treatments can be highly customized
- Minimal downtime or discomfort
- Long-lasting improvements
- Heightens self-confidence and self-esteem
Who Are the Best Candidates for Melasma Treatment?
Dr. Timek and her team of aesthetic experts will conduct a detailed consultation to determine the best approach for treating your melasma. Ideal candidates are in good overall health and have not experienced their ideal changes when using topical treatments and skincare products. They have realistic expectations for their results and understand that non-surgical solutions can take more than one session to achieve the desired results.
– Ewa Timek, MD
What’s The First Step?
AT ADVANCED PLASTIC SURGERY
To get started on the path to a brighter and more rejuvenated complexion, you will meet with Dr. Timek and her team at the Advanced Plastic Surgery Medspa in Grand Rapids, MI, to discuss your concerns about your skin and your unique goals for improvement. Dr. Timek will review your medical history and investigate your current medication schedule and any allergies or pre-existing conditions. She will also conduct an in-depth skin analysis and evaluation to arrive at the best treatment approach for reducing or even eradicating melasma.
Once your candidacy is confirmed and your appointment has been booked, you will receive instructions on how to best prepare for your session, whether you are undergoing a chemical peel or treatment with our state-of-the-art laser devices.
What to Expect on the Day of Melasma Treatment Treatment
On the day of your session, you will be greeted by our friendly Medspa staff and escorted to your climate-controlled treatment room. If you are undergoing a VI Peel, your skin care specialist will first cleanse your skin before applying the clarifying solution. The treatment process typically takes 20-45 minutes to complete. Most patients find the VI Peel to be painless, but those with greater skin sensitivity may experience a mild tingling sensation or enhanced skin warmth. The solution stays on the skin for several hours and can then be washed off at home.
If you are undergoing treatment with the Pico Carbon Laser, you will rest comfortably while your provider applies a layer of liquid carbon to your face. Within about 10 minutes, the solution will dry, and you will be fitted with a pair of goggles to protect your eyes from the laser. The Pico Carbon Laser device is then passed across the skin on a low setting to heat the carbon layer and boost collagen production. Finally, the laser’s built-in smoke evaporator will remove the carbon, taking with it any impurities, debris, and blemishes. Before you leave our Grand Rapids office, your skin will be coated with moisturizer and sunscreen to help lock in your results. Right away, you will notice a brighter, more attractive countenance with tighter pores. The total treatment time with the Pico Carbon Laser is around 30 minutes.
Melasma Treatment Recovery
Melasma treatments at our Grand Rapids Medspa are noninvasive and require minimal downtime. If you underwent a VI Peel, your skin may appear slightly bronzed or pink for a few days and feel tighter than normal before the peeling phase of the treatment occurs. You should avoid sun exposure and excessive heat for the few days following a VI Peel. Make sure to continue using sunblock in the coming weeks and months whenever you go outdoors.
If you underwent laser therapy for melasma, you may see slight redness lasting about one hour. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. To maximize and protect your results, Dr. Timek recommends using a daily moisturizer to seal in hydration. Your skin may be dry and flaking for a few days after your session. Avoid using any retinol-based products for at least five days.
AVERAGE COST
How Much Does Melasma Treatment Cost in Grand Rapids, MI?
The cost of melasma treatment in Grand Rapids can vary depending on the specific skincare solution you choose with Dr. Timek. Our team strives to make all sessions affordable while upholding the highest clinical excellence and safety standards. You will receive a detailed and personalized service quote upon completing your private consultation and skin analysis.
Why Choose
Advanced Plastic Surgery
Dr. Ewa Komorowska-Timek, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Grand Rapids, MI. She is an accomplished, world-renowned surgeon known for her focus on artistry and precision. She excels in cosmetic, reconstructive, and microsurgical techniques and is a lauded specialist in autologous flap breast reconstruction (DIEP, SIEA, LICAP, etc.). Dr. Timek graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine before pursuing plastic surgery training at Loma Linda University, California, where she obtained Board Certification in Plastic Surgery. She returned to Stanford to complete elite fellowship training in microsurgery, eventually joining the academic faculty. Dr. Timek is a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM)
Melasma Treatment FAQs
BECOME A PATIENT
contact us
If you are interested in learning more about our customized treatments for melasma in Grand Rapids, MI, don’t hesitate to contact our team at the Advanced Plastic Surgery Medspa today to schedule a private consultation. We are excited to speak with you and help you get started on the path to a brighter, more refined complexion.
Patient Resources
Advanced Plastic Surgery
We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out.