Health News: Unmasking Melasma: Dark-skinned women more at risk

Women of color are more prone to dark patches on the face called melasma.

Also called the “mask of pregnancy,” melasma was considered a pregnancy- and contraceptive-related disorder. But new research showed that even men may suffer from the chronic disorder,possibly for decades, Dr. Claudia Aguirre, neuroscientist and skincare expert, wrote in an article on the International Dermal Institute (IDI).

From the Greek word “melas” meaning black, melasma is prevalent among people with brown or darker skin. It is estimated to affect 8.8 percent of Hispanic females in the United States and about 40 percent of Southeast Asian women, Aguirre added in the same article.

In tropical countries like the Philippines, melasma is common as constant sun exposure stimulates the melanocytes to produce more melanin.

Aging and hormonal fluctuations

Melasma was among the top ten reasons for seeking consultation at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and among the top ten diseases at the Dermatology Outpatient Department of the Opsital ng Manila Medical Center (OMMC), the 2004-2008 census in the respective hospitals showed.

It recurs throughout middle age and menopause as hormonal fluctuations trigger the disease but picosecond laser treatment can help reduce the unwanted pigmentation. 

In the “Cynosure Asia Pacific (APAC) Forum” last month, Dr. Carl Cheng, a certified dermatologist in Taiwan, introduced “picotuning” to “fine tune” the picosecond treatment protocol to the needs of patients with melasma.

While conventional laser devices rely on heat energy, picosecond laser technology induces collagen and elastin to rejuvenate skin, and works on targeted areas within trillionths of a second. 

Safer than conventional laser machines

Over a dozen peer-reviewed clinical studies on PicoSure, the world’s first picosecond laser, showed that its side effects were milder compared to older laser machines that caused burning, scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PicoSure® for treating unwanted tattoos and benign pigmented lesions in 2012, and then acne scars, and wrinkles in 2014.

Cynosure, the leading manufacturer in aesthetic laser devices, spent 13 years to develop PicoSure®.

As the American company celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, it vowed to “continue to build everything on science” and “to expand the variety of products” to address the “rising demand for aesthetic lasers in Asia.”