Dealing with Melasma? Learn About Our Skin Discoloration Treatments in Kansas City for Different Pigmentation Concerns
Skin discoloration can be frustrating since it may cause poor skin texture and an uneven complexion that’s difficult to cover with makeup. Pigmentation can make you look older than you really are or just make you feel self-conscious in your skin, which is never a great feeling
At AesthetiCare, we understand the importance of feeling good in your skin, and we invest time, money, and passion into all things aesthetics. We do this because we love helping our clients feel amazing in their skin!
Today we’re discussing our skin discoloration treatments in Kansas City at AesthetiCare for two of the biggest skin discoloration concerns: melasma and sun damage.
Keep reading to learn about their causes and our treatment options at AC!
What does melasma look like?
Melasma spots look like darker patches of skin discoloration.
Melasma typically happens on the:
- Forehead
- Cheeks
- Across the nose
- Above the mouth
- Chin
It can also appear on other sun-exposed areas like the forearms or neck, but this is much less common.
Melasma causes
It seems that people with more melanin, so darker skin tones, are more predisposed to melasma than others. It’s also been linked to genetics, so if you have relatives with melasma, your chances of developing it increase.
The other major factor is hormones: 90% of people with melasma are women! Melasma is especially common in pregnant women and is often referred to as the “mask of pregnancy.”
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, melasma probably occurs when the skin cells that make color (melanocytes) overproduce pigment, creating the discoloration of melasma.
The following environmental factors can trigger melasma:
- Sun exposure
- Changes in hormones
- Certain skincare products
What does sun damage look like?
While melasma looks like dark “patches” of color, sun damage presents in small, dark spots. It can also present itself in redness. What differentiates sun damage from melasma is that it occurs pretty much anywhere on the face and body. It is also skin discoloration, and the skin cells produce excess melanin to work to protect it from too much sun exposure. It can appear in much smaller amounts and look like freckles, small dark patches, age spots, and wrinkles. As you can tell, sun damage is much more broad than melasma.
Causes of sun damage
Sun damage comes from (drumroll please) the SUN In all seriousness, there are specific factors that cause sun damage that you might not even think about.
Excess sun exposure
Certain areas of the body like the face, chest, back of neck, hands, and forearms get daily sun exposure whether you realize it or not (unless you literally live in a cave). Driving, having your desk near a window, daily walks, and other types of activities expose your skin to the sun every day. Of course, there is also the possibility that you are spending too much time outside in the sun for whatever reason, increasing your risk of sun damage on other areas depending on your clothing.
Other than SPF—don’t worry, we’ll get there!—you can change up your habits to protect your skin more:
- Check the UV index & plan outdoor activities outside of peak sunshine hours
- Get under the shade when you’re outside (think umbrellas, porches, trees)
- Wear hats to cover your face and/or neck and UV protective sunglasses
- Cover with clothing like long sleeves, pants, or crew neck shirts
Inadequate sun protection
So you want to safely partake in sunlight. Everyone needs that vitamin D! Let’s talk about protection Along with our tips we mentioned earlier, it’s never too late to make sunscreen your best friend!
While sunscreen can’t reverse sun damage, it sure can help prevent further damage when used habitually! Especially after a professional skin discoloration treatment where your skin takes some time to heal, you’ll want to protect your skin from the sun with SPF.
We recommend sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every 2 hours as needed, especially if you’re swimming or outside sweating. Sunscreen has come a long way as the beauty industry has focused more on skin care and anti-aging. There are mineral and chemical formulas, tinted options, types for dry or oily skin, glowy finish, and more!
Shop our medical grade sunscreen products ➡️
Finding the best skin discoloration treatments for you with our VISIA skin analysis
For all clients, we offer a complimentary one-hour consultation and skin evaluation. You’ll meet with one of our skin professionals as we complete a comprehensive skin analysis using our VISIA photo imaging technology. This technology is so advanced that it reveals your skin’s “true age” and maps out specific areas of concern like skin discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, etc.
One of the best parts of VISIA is the UV photo. This photo helps us choose specific colors and extent of sun damage so we can prioritize certain facial areas to focus on with treatment. We use this along with other data from the VISIA so we can give the best treatment recommendations for your skin!
Learn more about our VISIA analysis technology with AesthetiCare co-owner and Managing Partner Matt Taranto
Treatments Options | Skin Discoloration Treatments in Kansas City
Melasma Peel
The AesthetiCare Melasma Peel is a superficial mask that works by suppressing hyperactive melanocytes to reverse excess pigmentation Melasma AMP Peel uses a compounded mask that reduces melasma and sun damage. This treatment is also safe for all skin types!
Treatable conditions:
- Melasma
- Sun Damage
- Uneven Skin Tone or Texture
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- Large Pores
- Hyper-Pigmentation
Treatment process
First, our aesthetician cleanses the skin thoroughly, and they apply the Melasma Peel mask to your face. We will give you instructions to remove the mask at home 6 to 8 hours post-treatment. We will also provide you with post-care products to use 2 to 4 weeks after the mask application to help boost your results!
Halo Laser
The Halo Laser is the world’s first hybrid-fractional laser. It combines two types of wavelengths to allow us to tailor the treatment to your unique needs. Halo can target and break up the excess melanin causing skin discoloration. With a customized treatment plan plus good skin care and sun protection, we can greatly improve the appearance of or eliminate melasma or sun damage skin discoloration!
Treatable conditions:
- Aging
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Sun damage
- Melasma
- Enlarged pores
- Skin texture
- Uneven skin tone
Treatment process
One-hour prior to treatment, we will apply a topical numbing cream to your skin. Once the hour has passed the numbing cream is completely removed. Based on your VISIA results, we will set your treatment parameters on the Halo machine to deliver the correct laser light for the best results.
After your skin is treated with the Halo Laser, we apply cool compresses using a Zimmer and Avene cooling spray to reduce the heat. We will provide you all the necessary products to care for your skin during the week following your procedure.
Forever Young BBL
Forever Young BBL™ is a gentle procedure with no downtime that uses light energy to diminish sun damage, freckles, small facial vessels, and more. It uses the power of pulsed light wavelengths to target areas of concern to safely and effectively rejuvenate your skin. The targets of the treatment (like sun damage) absorb the light, destroying it and restoring your skin to its natural beauty and tone.
Treatable conditions:
- Active Acne
- Age Spots
- Sun Damage
- Fine Lines
- Wrinkles
- Freckles
- Redness & Rosacea
- Flushing
- Small Facial Vessels
- Enlarged Pores
- Laxity
Treatment process
Before the treatment, we will clean the treatment area, apply a clear gel, and assess any areas to avoid (like permanent makeup, tattoos, etc.).
We place a headband on the patient to provide a clearer working surface and provide protective eyewear to wear during the treatment.
Your provider uses the BBL handpiece on the skin’s surface in precise pulses across the treatment area. The light will appear bright even with the protective eyewear. Your procedure may take a few minutes to an hour depending on the size of the area being treated.
After treatment is complete, we apply a hydrating cream and sun-block. The treatment area may appear red or flushed, something that usually fades within a few hours. Individuals with prominent pigmentation may notice that brown areas become temporarily darker for 10 to 14 days. For ForeverYoung BBL, there is no special post-care needed other than good skin care and sun protection!
Stay Young Forever Annual Package
One of our favorite ways we offer skin discoloration treatments in Kansas City is through our annual Stay Forever Young Package! This package gives you discounts on a yearly plan of treatments that can address skin discoloration, fine lines, pore size & texture, and more!
- 1 Halo Laser or 1 Melasma AMP Peel
- 2 or 3 Forever Young BBLs
- 6 HydraFacials
Get the best skin discoloration treatments in Kansas City at AesthetiCare!
You don’t have to live with skin discoloration from melasma or sun damage We have customizable treatments for all skin tones and types to fit your budget, time for healing, and skin goals.
For an in-depth free consultation, visit our Leawood or Liberty location! Book online or by phone at (913) 320-0878 (Leawood) or (816) 323-6280 (Liberty). We can’t wait to meet you and help you find the best treatments for your unique skin.
