Hyperpigmentation results from an increase in melanin

Allan J. Parungao, MD FACS
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

August 2007 | www.parungao.com
630.794.0700

Are you starting to notice age spots or uneven skin texture on your face? A facelift may lift and tighten aging skin, but it can't improve the condition of your complexion. Whether or not you have a facelift, it's important to consider treatments that can improve your skin's texture and reverse sun damage.

Hyperpigmentation:
A telltale sign of older skin

Do you have dark spots on your face? This hyperpigmentation results from an increase in melanin, the substance that gives your skin its color. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by:

Sun damage
Age spots
Skin conditions such as melasma
Medications
Heredity

How can you reverse hyperpigmentation?

If you've noticed areas of hyperpigmentation on your face, there are several ways you can treat it:

An IPL (intense pulsed light) photofacial is a gentle, state-of-the-art approach to making your skin look younger and smoother. This technique can help repair sundamaged skin and treat enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots and rosacea, as well as dilated blood vessels. IPL photofacials work best if you have a fair to medium complexion.

Now, as fall approaches, is a good time to start thinking about IPL photofacials, as you will need to stay out of the sun for several weeks after a treatment.
Microdermabrasion is another option for restoring younger-looking skin. It works by gently buffing away the surface layer of the skin, refining your skin's texture and stimulating the production of new cells and collagen. Microdermabrasion effectively treats acne scars, age spots, crow's feet and fine lines.

Do you suffer from melasma?

Melasma, a skin condition that causes uneven, blotchy facial skin, affects an estimated 5-6 million American women. This condition is more common in women
with darker complexions, including Hispanic, Asian, Mediterranean, African-American and Indian women.

The only product approved by the FDA to treat melasma is Tri-Luma® cream, available by prescription. Patients can see results in as little as four weeks. In some cases, Tri-Luma® may be used in conjuction with microdermabrasion treatments.

Save with our September special

Get a free microdermabrasion treatment when you purchase Tri-Luma cream in September. Call 630.794.0700 today to schedule your appointment.

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Left: Moderate melasma before Tri-Luma.
Right: After 8 weeks of Tri-Luma.

Photos courtesy of Galderma Laboratories.

FDA approves Tri-Luma® for melasma

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Tri-Luma® cream to treat melasma,
a skin condition that may affect up to three in every four women at some time during their lives.

Melasma, a form of hyperpigmentation, often occurs during pregnancy—when it is commonly known as “the mask of pregnancy”—and among women taking birth-control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

Although there is no cure for melasma, prescription Tri-Luma® cream has been shown
to produce significant improvement.

I have oily skin and large pores, but my skin is extremely sensitive. Is there a treatment that can improve my complexion without being too harsh?

You are a good candidate for microdermabrasion. This gentle technique is safe and effective, even for skin too sensitive for chemical procedures or anti-acne drugs like Retin-A. Microdermabrasion has been shown to work well on all skin colors and types.

Have a question? Ask Dr. Parungao.

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