Melasma

What is melasma?
Melasma (muh-LAZ-muh) is a common skin problem. It causes brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.
One of the most common treatments for melasma is sun protection. This means wearing sunscreen every day and reapplying the sunscreen every 2 hours. Dermatologists also recommend wearing a wide-brimmed hat when you are outside. Sunscreen alone may not give you the protection you need.
Women are far more likely than men to get melasma. It is so common during pregnancy that melasma is sometimes called "the mask of pregnancy." Hormones seem to trigger melasma.
Who gets melasma?
Melasma appears on women’s skin much more often than men’s skin. Just 10% of people who get melasma are men.
People with darker skin, such as those of Latin/Hispanic, North African, African-American, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean descent are more likely to get melasma. People who have a blood relative who had melasma also are much more likely to get melasma.
What causes melasma?
What causes melasma is not yet clear. It likely occurs when the color-making cells in the skin (melanocytes) produce too much color. People with skin of color are more prone to melasma because they have more active melanocytes than people with light skin.
Common melasma triggers (what starts it) include:
* Sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun stimulates the melanocytes. In fact, just a small amount of sun exposure can make melasma return after fading. Sun exposure is why melasma often is worse in summer. It also is the main reason why many people with melasma get it again and again.
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* A change in hormones: Pregnant women often get melasma. When melasma appears in pregnant women, it is called chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy. Birth control pills and hormone replacement medicine also can trigger melasma.
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* Skin care products: If a product irritates your skin, melasma can worsen.
* Vascular changes in the skin
* Drugs
* Genetic

Therapeutic Guideline for Melasma
* In mild cases: Broad spectrum sunscreens+camouflage+topical compounds
* In moderate cases: or if no response to basic measures. Can try chemical peels
* In severe cases: Laser and Light therapies

Laser Hair Removal

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a noninvasive technique that uses highly concentrated light to penetrate hair follicles. The laser light is absorbed by the pigment(melanin) in the hair shaft in the follicle-generating heat which damages the follicle to inhibit future hair growth. 

Why Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is used to reduce unwanted hair. Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and the bikini line. However, it's possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any area, except the eyelid or surrounding area.

How many treatments do I need?
Laser hair removal usually requires a series of three to six treatments to achieve significant hair reduction. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. On areas where hair grows quickly, such as the upper lip and under arms, the treatment might be repeated in four to eight weeks. On areas of slow hair growth, such as the back, the treatment might be every 12 to 16 weeks.

Is it safe?

Laser hair removal is safe if it is done by medical professionals certified in use of lasers. Possible laser hair removal side effects include:

• Mild swelling around the hair follicles
• Pigment changes may occur, especially in those with darker skin. These changes are usually temporary
• Slight redness of the skin
• Temporary irritation resulting in blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture

A beam of highly focused light is absorbed by hair in disabling unwanted hair follicles. There is some mild discomfort that last a few seconds. People with white or gray hair may not have enough pigment target to be a candidate for laser hair removal.

Hairs do not fall out immediately, but you will shed them over a period of days to weeks. This may look like continued hair growth. The repeated treatments are usually necessary because hair growth and loss naturally occur in a cycle, and laser treatment works best with hair follicles in the new-growth stage.

Advantages of Laser Hair Removal at NeugLow

Can be used on all skin types
Fast and effective results
Permanent hair rediution
Minimal discomfort