What is Melasma & How to Treat It

elasma is a term that has become more commonplace over the past decade especially in regions such as Florida with an excess of sun exposure.  Melasma is often referred to as "the mask of pregnancy" because it is usually caused by hormone changes especially with pregnancy, birth control or menopause, and is made increasingly worse by sun exposure.  Melasma can also be caused by medications or brought on by post imflammatory hyperpigmentation due to certain burns of laser treatments.  Melasma generally occurs when estrogen and/or progesterone stimulate pigmentation hormones, causing dark brown irregular sized patches on the face that are normally rather large.   Melasma is most common in ethnic skin types especially hispanic or meditteranean although it can occur in light skin types as well. Genetic predisposition may make one more susceptible to melasma, and thyroid dysfunction may also increase susceptibility.
Since our medical spa Winter Park Laser is located in Florida we see a lot of Melasma due to the to the amount of sun exposure and the high amount of hispanic population in Florida. Melasma can be very difficult to treat and the results rely heavily on patient compliance and the type of maintenance done by the patient.  Here are some of the top ways to treat and maintain melasma.
#1 The Vi PeelL this is a strong chemical peel safe for all skin types to treat melasma.  It is a proprietary blend of TCA, Retinoic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Phenol, Vitamin C and a mineral blend.
#2 At Home Skincare: It is crucial to use Skin Lightening Treatment products such as Hydroquinone bleaching creams, or Skinmedica lytera which will help to suppress the underlying pigmentation and prevent more patches of melasma from surfacing.
#3 Limited Sun Exposure: Sun can make Melasma worst so the more one stays away from sun by wearing a full broad spectrum minimum spf 30 everyday and reapplying,  and wearing large sunglasses and large hats to protect your skin.

For more information on treating Melasma in Orlando go to www.winterparklaser.com

Benefits of IPL Photofacials

As issues of hyperpigmentation (excess pigmentation such as sun spots and age spots) are on the rise in the U.S. and in our medical spa (Winter Park Laser) the need for Intense Pulsed Light and the benefits of IPL photofacials increase. Hyperpigmentation (excess pigment) can be caused by shifts in hormones such as birth control or hormone replacement therapy and of course by sun damage. While it is most common in olive skin types such as Latin, Mediterranean, and Italian but can occur in any skin type. While, there are many treatments such as chemical peels and ablative lasers that can slowly help with pigmentation issues but IPL treatments are the best treatment available because they concentrate directly on pigment and broken capillaries. So who is the best candidate for an IPL photofacial? Anyone with unwanted sun damage-excess sun spots, age spots, or slight Melasma. Also, anyone with Rosacea symptoms such as broken capillaries and excess redness. IPL photofacials can also have a big benefits for those with inflamed acne. IPL photofacials work by diminishing the signs of aging such as pigmented lesions & capillaries by delivering energy to target & destroy vascular and pigmented lesions associated withveins, Rosacea, sun damage, and age spots from face, chest, hands, legs, and arms. During the procedure, the entire treatment area is scanned with an IPL handpiece and treated with multiple passes and customized settings. A 30-40% improvement can be seen within 1 treatments although several treatments can be necessary to reach maximum results. The benefits of an IPL photofacial are an improved complexion, even skin tone, removal of excess sun spots and pigmentation, reduction in blood vessels, and reduction in Rosacea symptoms and redness.For more information on benefits of an IPL photofacial go to http://www.winterparklaser.com/services/ipl-photo-facials/

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photofacial Risks & Benefits

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photofacial Risks & Benefits

After working around medical spas and laser treatments for 7 years, my favorite treatment is IPL (Intense Pulsed LIght) Photo-facials. You see huge instant results with this 20 minute safe procedure and go straight back to work, wear makeup and have no down-time. This technology has continued to improve and Palomar is the "Mercedes" of IPL laser technology. There are mainly benefits, but of course a few minor risks with this treatment such as swelling, redness, and facial flushing, are minor and usually disappear within a few hours or days of the procedure.

Benefits of IPL™ Photofacial

The benefits of intense pulsed light therapy cover almost the entire spectrum of cosmetic dermatology. When performed by a qualified skin care specialist, IPL™ photofacial treatment can help nearly all aspects of skin aesthetics and structure.

The treatment can help repair small blood vessels that have become visible, or help eradicate sun spots or other pigmentation irregularities.
IPL™ treatment can help combat acne problems such as oil and p. bacterias&can shrink large pores.
IPL™ photofacial therapy is also excellent at treating Rosacea, & any redness in skin.
By treating a slightly deeper layer of the skin, IPL™ photofacials stimulate collagen growth by simulating minor dermal injuries, thereby helping to improve skin texture.
The cost of IPL photofacial therapy is usually minor compared to most lasers and results are seen in as little as 1-5 treatments on average.

Another benefit of IPL™ photorejuvenation procedures is that they allow for additional treatment with facials, or chemical peels that target the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis. Since IPL™ photofacials target deeper layers of the skin, they can be safely performed in conjunction with other, more superficial treatments.
IPL™ Photofacial Risks

There are relatively few long-term risks associated with intense pulsed light treatment. Short-term potential side effects of IPL™ photofacial treatment include very minor swelling, redness, and increased visibility of small capillaries. These symptoms usually begin to disappear within a few hours of treatment.

This treatment is only safe for certain skin types so consult with your skin care professional.

New MAX G Now Available at Winter Park Laser for IPL Photo-Rejuvenation

Introducing the MaxG™ - The Power of Optimized Light™
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Photo-Rejuvenation) Optimized for Removing broken blood Vessels, Vascular Lesions, and Pigmented Lesions is now available at Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center. It is one of the first medical spa's in Orlando to carry this technology.

Delivering dual bands of wavelengths to selectively target the absorption peaks of hemoglobin and preferentially heat blood in the presence of melanin, the MaxG offers superior closure of the larger, deeper facial vessels with Dynamic Spectrum Shifting. Perfect for Eliminating Rosacea, Broken Capillaries, Age Spots, and Sun damage. Winter Park Laser has performed IPL treatments for over 7 years.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month

May is Melanoma "Skin Cancer Awareness Month" at Medical Spas and Winter Park Laser is celebrating this! Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that begins in melanocyte skin cells, the cells that produce melanin. Melanin give skin color, and melanocytes turn into tans. When these cells are exposed to an excess of UV sunlight rays they an grow abnormally and possibly become cancerous. Here are tips for keeping your skin healthy during these summer months: Wear a large hat, and swimsuit-cover-ups, apply a good sunscreen that is Full Broad Spectrum and a minimum SPF of 15, it is important to reapply. Wear an everyday moisturizer with an SPF 15, avoid tanning begs, limin your sun exposure between the hours of 10am-4pm. If you already have sun damage, it can be reduced with IPL or Photo-Dynamic Thereapy Treatments. Call (407) 601-1185 or go to www.winterparklaser.com for more information.

Cosmetic Treatment Provides Healthy Benefits for Sun Damage (Actinic Keratoses) in Orlando.

Winter Park Laser and Anti-Aging Center is one of the few medical spas in central Florida to offer the cutting edge treatment; Photo-Dynamic Therapy using Levulan by DUSA Pharmaceuticals. While many women are concerned with the unsightly dark spots that appear on their skin after years of sun damage, even more are suffering from actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous lesions)-over 10 million Americans have these AKs. Now there is a treatment that will remove and reduce the sun damage cosmetically, while also treating and destroying the actinic keratoses which are pre-cancerous cells. PDT at Winter Park Laser is performed by licensed professionals and supervised by plastic surgeon Jan V. Karlin M.D. and is a combination of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy and photosensitive topical solution Amino Levulanic Acid. This Safe treatment typically results in a 30-60% improvement in the tone, texture, and pigment of the skin as well as the destruction of the actinic keratoses. Multiple treatments may be necessary depending on the severity of the sun damage.