Melasma is a condition that causes pigmentation issues on the skin. Although these spots can show up anywhere on the body, they most often show up on the face and hands.
A disease called melasma happens when the body makes too much melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. A higher production of melanin in response to sun exposure is what causes melasma, which is more common in people with darker skin. Melasma can be treated by getting rid of the top layer of skin with a chemical peel or photo laser. As a result, your body makes less melanin, which makes dark spots on your face look less noticeable.
Remember, though, that these solutions are short-term fixes that only work until the next time you go out in the sun.
Chemical Peel vs Laser for Melasma
While laser treatments penetrate into the skin to promote cell renewal, chemical peels are used to resurface the outer layers of your skin to improve the tone and texture of the melasma. As said, laser treatment for melasma is common among patients.
Have you ever been told that your melasma makes you look older than you are? Or that the discoloration on your face makes you look like an old, washed-up celebrity?
We’ve all been there. And we know how hard it is to feel confident about our appearance when we have to deal with something as embarrassing and difficult to treat as melasma.
But don’t worry! There’s a way out of this mess, and it’s called chemical peels or laser treatment. Whether you want to go the natural route with a chemical peel or go the more invasive route with laser treatment, both will leave your skin looking more youthful, even-toned, and refreshed.
So what’s the difference between these two types of treatments? In this post, we’ll explain what chemical peels are, how they work, and why they’re a great option for treating melasma.
Chemical Peel or Laser for Melasma
You know you need a chemical peel or laser for your skin. But how do you know which one?
A chemical peel uses strong chemicals to remove the topmost layer of skin, which then peels off in strips within two days. A laser is more precise, targeting problem areas with light beams that destroy acne-causing bacteria.
The key difference between the two treatments is that a chemical peel is a much less invasive procedure, meaning it’s less expensive and your recovery time is much faster (two days instead of up to three weeks). However, it only targets the surface of your skin and doesn’t address deeper issues like clogged pores or discoloration. If you have acne scars or uneven skin tone on your face, a chemical peel won’t help with those concerns.
Lasers are more expensive and time-consuming to perform than chemical peels because they require several appointments. But they offer deeper penetration into the skin and can be effective at treating acne scars and discoloration as well as clogged pores—the latter being an issue that causes blackheads and whiteheads in addition to inflamed pimples or cysts.
Chemical Peel or Laser for Acne
You’ve probably heard of chemical peels, and maybe you’ve even had one. But have you heard of a laser peel?
Laser peels are an advanced way to treat acne and other skin conditions. Dermatologists and other medical professionals perform them, and they function by removing damaged skin layers without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. The result is smoother, more youthful-looking skin that’s more resistant to future damage.
Most laser peels are done on the face, but they can also be used on other parts of the body as well. This means that laser peels can help address not only acne but also other issues like wrinkles or sunspots.
Carbon Peel Laser for Acne
You know that feeling you get when someone tells you that “acne is a thing of the past,” and then you check yourself in the mirror and see a new pimple?
Or when someone says that “lasers are too expensive,” and then you’re sitting in a dermatologist’s office, wondering how they got all their degrees?
We’re here to tell you: laser therapy for acne is real. And it’s not just for the rich and famous (though we will admit that it probably helps, if you can swing it). It’s available to anyone who wants it—and what’s more, it works!
But let’s back up here. What exactly is laser therapy for acne? And how does it work?
Carbon Laser for Acne
Minimally invasive skin resurfacing treatments are very popular for improving the appearance of skin. In 2020, almost two million Americans got either a chemical peel or a laser treatment. These outpatient procedures are often effective, affordable, and only require a quick appointment to complete. There’s a wide variety of laser treatments and peels to choose from depending on what your skincare goals are.
Resurfacing treatments are classified in three ways: superficial, medium, and deep. The difference between them has to do with how many layers of skin the treatment penetrates. Superficial treatments deliver modest results with minimal recovery time. Treatments that go further below the surface of the skin have more dramatic results, but the recovery is more complicated.
One popular option for mild to moderate skin issues is a carbon laser peel. A carbon laser peel is a superficial treatment that helps with acne, enlarged pores, oily skin, and uneven skin tone. They’re sometimes called carbon laser facials.
Despite the name, a carbon laser peel isn’t a traditional chemical peel. Instead, your doctor uses a carbon solution and lasers to create a peeling effect. The lasers don’t penetrate the skin too deeply, so there’s very little recovery time. The treatment takes about 30 minutes, and you can resume regular activity right away.
How Do Carbon Laser Peels Work?
Carbon laser peels usually take place in your doctor’s office or at a medi-spa facility. You should always make sure that the person performing the procedure is trained in administering it. Any skin treatment comes with a risk of injury or infection so having a trained professional perform the carbon laser peel is crucial for safety.
A carbon laser peel typically involves the following steps.
Carbon lotion. First, your doctor will apply a dark-colored cream with a high carbon content to your skin. The lotion is an exfoliating treatment that helps prepare the skin for the next steps. You will sit with it on your face for several minutes to let it dry. As the lotion dries, it bonds with dirt, oil, and other contaminants on the surface of your skin.
Warming laser. Depending on your skin type, your doctor may start with one type of laser to warm your skin. They’ll pass the laser over your face, which will heat the carbon in the lotion and cause it to absorb impurities on your skin.
Pulsed laser. The final step is a pulsed laser that your doctor uses to break down the carbon. The laser destroys the carbon particles and any oil, dead skin cell, bacteria, or other impurities on your face. The heat from the process also signals a healing response in your skin. That stimulates collagen and elastin production to make your skin look firmer.
Because the carbon laser peel is a mild procedure, you won’t need any numbing cream before the treatment. You should be able to leave the doctor’s office or medi-spa right after it’s over.
What Does a Carbon Laser Peel Treat?
The carbon laser peel is effective for treating acne. The whole process works to eliminate oil, debris, and bacteria in the pores, which are often causes of acne. Doctors find that it can clear up existing acne and prevent new breakouts from occurring for weeks or months.
You may need multiple treatments to see effects on acne. The treatment is non-irritating, so it doesn’t make inflamed skin feel worse during treatment. You can repeat carbon laser peels as necessary without negative side effects.
In addition to treating acne, carbon laser peels may also improve:
- Signs of premature aging
- Dull complexion, tone, and texture
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Oily skin
- Dark spots
- Mild acne scars
Preparation and Recovery
Carbon laser peels are entirely non-invasive and very mild. As a general rule, there’s no special preparation needed but consult your doctor to be sure. If you use prescription skin treatments, your doctor may suggest discontinuing them to avoid irritation.
The procedure itself is painless, though some people say they feel a mild stinging sensation during the treatment. Most people feel fine immediately afterward. The most common side effect is slight redness, which usually subsides within a day. Your doctor will probably recommend using gentle products and sun protection after the treatment.
You will probably notice some improvement after one treatment, which exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores so that it looks brighter and clearer right away. Your results may continue to improve over time as your skin produces more collagen and elastin.
Doctors often suggest multiple carbon laser peels for maximum effectiveness — often four to six appointments spaced several weeks apart. Your doctor can help you decide how many treatments you need.
Melasma Laser Treatment Price
Melasma is a skin condition that makes dark spots show up on the face. It can be annoying for many people. There are a lot of ways to treat melasma, but laser treatment has become very popular because it makes the colored spots look better. Another big worry for people who want to get this treatment is how much it will cost. Getting laser treatment for melasma can be expensive, and there are a lot of things that can change that price.
What kind of laser is used, how skilled the doctor or plastic surgeon is, how many sessions are needed, and where the center is located are some of the things that can change how much melasma laser treatment costs. A single laser treatment for melasma usually costs around $200 to $800. Because most people need more than one session to get the most out of treatment, the costs can add up fast.
There may be extra fees for laser treatment of melasma on top of the main cost of the process. Some of these are assessment fees, skin care products to use before the treatment, drugs to take after the treatment, and visits to check up on the patient. It’s important to figure these extra costs into your budget for melasma laser treatment.
People who book more than one lesson at the same time may get discounts or deals. It’s possible that this will help lower the overall cost of care. When you make an appointment for laser treatment for melasma, you should ask if there are any deals or savings going on right now.
It’s also important to know that melasma laser treatment may be covered in part by some health insurance plans if the doctor says it’s physically necessary. But rewards can be different depending on the medicine and the insurance company. Calling your insurance company is the best way to find out if you can get any perks.
The price of melasma laser treatment can be worth it for people who want to make their skin look better. But a lot of people believe that the rewards are worth the cost. You can make an informed decision about getting melasma laser treatment if you know what can change how much it costs and check to see if there are any savings or insurance benefits that you might be able to get.
Hyperpigmentation Laser Treatment Cost
A lot of people have hyperpigmentation, which shows up as dark spots on the face. It can be caused by a lot of things, like too much sun, changes in hormones, and swelling. Hyperpigmentation isn’t dangerous, but a lot of people feel bad about how they look because of it. Lucky for us, there are treatments like laser therapy that can help make hyperpigmentation look better.
Lasers work on the melanin in the skin to get rid of discoloration. Melanin is what makes the dark spots. The laser light hits melanin, which breaks it down and makes it fade over time. It’s possible that this will help even out your skin tone and hide dark spots.
The price of hyperpigmentation laser treatment depends on a number of things, like the size of the area being treated, how many sessions are needed, and where the treatment center is located. A single laser treatment for coloring usually costs around $200 to $800. Because most people need more than one lesson to feel better, the cost of treatment can add up fast.
It is important to know that certain insurance plans may not cover acne laser treatment. This is because it’s seen as a way to look better. But some doctors and medical spas let people pay over time so they can get the care they need.
People with hyperpigmentation who are thinking about laser treatments should think about more than just how much it will cost. They should also think about the risks and sides that might happen. Some of these are short-term heat, swelling, and darker skin. It’s important to talk to a trained medical worker about these risks before getting care.
The use of lasers to treat hyperpigmentation is thought to improve the look of dark spots on the face. There are ways to lower the cost of care for those who can’t afford it. When people work with a skilled healthcare provider, they can feel better about how they look and get skin that is smoother and more even.