Is PICO Genesis a Melasma Treatment?
Melasma, often called the mask of pregnancy, is a condition that mainly affects women. It is characterized by patches of skin on the face that are darker than the rest of the skin. The cause of the condition is thought to be genetic, and it is exacerbated by hormones and sun exposure. Although it is a medically harmless condition, those who are affected often feel that they do not look as beautiful as they are and may want to lessen the appearance of melasma to even the skin tone. PICO Genesis is a new and effective melasma treatment option with no downtime.
PICO Genesis was developed to treat hyperpigmentation, such as sunspots, freckles, and melasma. Other types of lasers that are commonly used to treat conditions such as sunspots can actually worsen melasma by stimulating the skin to increase melanin production, but not PICO Genesis. Unlike most lasers that stimulate pigment by heating it up, PICO Genesis uses very short pulses, called picosecond pules, that effectively shatter the pigment without increasing its temperature as much as other lasers. In addition, unlike many laser systems, it can be used to treat women and men with darker skin tones, which is important for when treating hyperpigmentation.
In addition to breaking up and eliminating hyperpigmentation, PICO Genesis also stimulates the skin to produce more collagen, which means the skin becomes firmer and younger-looking along with an improved complexion.
Melasma can be a frustrating condition for affected individuals. Unfortunately, most cases do not clear up after childbirth or discontinuing oral contraceptives. Prior to PICO Genesis the only options for melasma treatment were skin lightening creams containing hydroquinone with limited effectiveness, chemical peels which have downtime, and other lasers which heated the skin too much and increased risk of worsening Melasma. If you have melasma, we urge you to speak with the professionals at VITAHL Medical Aesthetics to discuss your options. We are conveniently located in Denver, CO. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!