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Is Filler Injection Safe? Doctor’s Detailed Explanation
Melasma is a common dermatological problem that many women, and even men, face,
It does not cause pain but severely affects aesthetics and self-confidence,
I understand the feeling of anxiety when dark spots and patches appear on your face,
Therefore, I have compiled all the latest scientific knowledge, research, and practical experience to share with you in this in-depth article,
Let's find out together what is melasma signs, what are the culprits causing it, and most importantly, what are the effective melasma treatment methods that have been scientifically proven,
I believe that after reading this article, you will have enough knowledge and confidence to start your journey to regain flawless skin,
Before diving into treatment, we need to clearly understand the nature of melasma,
So what is melasma?
Melasma (tên tiếng Anh là Melasma) is a common skin pigmentation disorder,
It is characterized by the appearance of light brown to dark brown or grayish-blue spots and patches, often symmetrically distributed across the face,
These skin areas appear due to the overproduction and abnormal accumulation of Melanin (the pigment that determines the color of our skin, hair, and eyes) in skin cells (Melanocytes),
The most common sites for melasma are the cheeks, nose bridge, forehead, chin, and upper lip,
Melasma is more common in women of childbearing age, especially pregnant women (often called the "mask of pregnancy"),
However, as I mentioned, men can also develop melasma,
Melasma is not a dangerous disease, but it is persistent and difficult to treat permanently without applying the correct methods,
How do I know if the brown spots on my skin are melasma?
Here are the key signs you need to look out for:
Color: The melasma areas are yellowish-brown, light brown, dark brown, or even grayish-blue,
Shape: They appear as small spots, irregular round dots, or large patches with indistinct borders,
Symmetry: Melasma often appears symmetrically on the face, such as on both cheeks, forehead, and chin,
Location: Melasma is usually concentrated in areas exposed to sunlight such as the cheekbones, forehead, nose, and upper lip,
No itching/pain: Melasma is a pigmentation issue; it does not cause itching, pain, swelling, or inflammation,
To effectively treat melasma, we need to determine which type of melasma we have,
The classification of melasma is mainly based on the depth of the Melanin pigment in the skin structure,
There are 3 main types of melasma:
Pigment location: Located in the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin),
Signs of recognition: Usually light brown patches, not too dark in color, with clear boundaries,
Treatability: This is the easiest type of melasma to treat and responds well to surface treatment methods,
Pigment location: Located deep in the dermis layer of the skin,
Signs of recognition: The melasma spots are dark brown, grayish-blue, or bluish-gray, often smaller than epidermal melasma and concentrated in distinct spots like the head of a matchstick,
Treatability: Much more difficult to treat than epidermal melasma because the pigment is deep, requiring deeper penetrating technologies like Laser,
Pigment location: A combination of both the epidermis and dermis,
Signs of recognition: Simultaneous appearance of light patches and deep, dark spots,
Treatability: This is the most complex and difficult type of melasma to treat, requiring a combination of various treatment methods,
At Foxy M.D, dermatologists will use modern examination technology to accurately determine the type and depth of melasma to build a personalized and optimal treatment protocol for you,
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Having understood what is melasma, we need to delve deeper into the causes of melasma,
Understanding the root cause is the key to preventing and treating melasma most thoroughly,
Melasma is formed due to a complex combination of internal and external factors, leading to the overproliferation and hyperactivity of Melanin-producing cells (Melanocytes),
The main causes include:
This is considered the leading cause and the factor that exacerbates melasma,
UV Rays (UVA and UVB): When our skin is exposed to sunlight, especially UVA rays, it stimulates the Melanocytes cells to produce Melanin to protect the skin from sun damage,
Mechanism: When Melanin is overproduced and unevenly distributed, they will accumulate and form melasma patches,
Scientific research: Many studies have indicated that unprotected sun exposure is the main reason why melasma recurs and darkens,
Changes in the levels of Estrogen and Progesterone hormones in the body play an extremely important role in the formation of melasma in women,
The common stages where strong hormonal changes occur include:
Pregnancy: About 50-70% of pregnant women develop melasma (also known as pregnancy mask),
Use of birth control pills: Medications containing synthetic hormones can stimulate Melanin production,
Menstrual disorders: Hormonal imbalance during the menstrual cycle,
Menopause/Perimenopause: When Estrogen levels decline, it can also cause melasma,
If your family members, such as your mother, aunt, or sisters, have melasma, your chances of developing it are also higher,
This indicates a genetic susceptibility to hyperpigmentation,
The use of poor-quality, unverified cosmetics, or products containing strong irritants or skin-thinning ingredients (like high-concentration Corticosteroids) can damage the skin's protective barrier,
When the skin is damaged and inflamed, it is prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and melasma formation,
Prolonged stress: Stress can disrupt the endocrine system, indirectly affecting Melanin production,
Diet: Deficiency in important antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, Beta-carotene can make the skin more susceptible to damage from free radicals and sunlight,
Medical conditions: Certain internal medical conditions like thyroid disease or liver disorders may also be related to the formation of melasma,
Having understood what is melasma signs and causes, now is the most important part: the effective and permanent melasma treatment method,
Treating melasma requires patience, combining multiple methods, and most importantly, a personalized protocol from specialists,
Here are the most effective and modern melasma treatment methods today:
This is the most modern method, providing high and fast effectiveness, especially for deep or mixed melasma types,
Laser Toning/Q-Switched Nd:YAG Technology:
Mechanism: Uses high-intensity, ultra-short pulse (nanosecond or picosecond) light wavelengths to target and break down excess Melanin particles into tiny fragments,
Advantages: These Melanin fragments are then eliminated by the body, significantly fading melasma, safely and with minimal damage to surrounding skin,
At Foxy M.D: We use the most advanced Laser technology transferred from developed countries, allowing customization of wavelength and energy suitable for each type of melasma (patchy, deep, mixed) and the skin condition of each client,
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Technology:
Mechanism: Uses intense pulsed light with a broad spectrum to act on Melanin pigment,
Advantages: Helps brighten the overall complexion, improves patchy melasma, and surface pigmentation issues,
Peeling is a method using controlled concentrations of acid solutions (like AHA, TCA, Retinoids) to remove the layers of dead cells containing Melanin pigment in the epidermis,
Mechanism: Helps skin regenerate, brightens the skin, and fades superficial melasma patches,
Note: Must be performed by a doctor or highly specialized expert to ensure safety and control the depth of the peel,
Topical products often contain skin-brightening ingredients that inhibit Melanin production,
Ingredients trusted and prescribed by dermatologists include:
Hydroquinone: Considered the gold standard in melasma treatment, has the ability to strongly inhibit the Tyrosinase enzyme (the enzyme responsible for Melanin production),
Tretinoin/Retinoids: Helps increase skin cell turnover, accelerating the removal of pigment-containing cells,
Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, Vitamin C: These ingredients help brighten the skin, act as antioxidants, and inhibit Melanin production,
Important: Strong topical melasma medications require prescription and close monitoring by a doctor to avoid unwanted side effects,
Mesotherapy (Injecting Melasma-treating essence): Directly injecting skin-brightening active ingredients, Vitamin C, Peptide, or Tranexamic Acid into the dermis to inhibit Melanin and brighten the skin from within,
At-home cosmeceutical skincare: Using products containing Niacinamide, Arbutin, Licorice Extract (Chiết xuất Cam Thảo) to support the treatment process and maintain results,
I know there are many places advertising melasma treatment,
But why should you choose Foxy M.D to entrust your trust and your skin?
Here are the outstanding advantages that Foxy M.D offers:
Each person's melasma is different (patchy melasma due to pregnancy, deep melasma due to hormones, mixed melasma due to cosmetic abuse...),
Therefore, Foxy M.D does not apply a single formula to everyone,
1-on-1 Examination: Right from the first session, you will be directly examined by Foxy M.D dermatologists, analyzing your skin with modern machinery to accurately determine the type of melasma, its depth, and your current skin condition,
Protocol development: Based on the examination results, the doctor will design an exclusive and most optimal treatment regimen, scientifically and systematically combining various methods (Laser, Peel, Mesotherapy, topical medication),
We continuously update and transfer the world's leading melasma treatment technologies,
Utilizing new-generation Laser devices with the ability to precisely adjust energy, acting only on the pigment without causing damage to the surrounding skin,
This helps shorten the treatment time, reduces pain, and minimizes the recovery period for you,
The effectiveness of melasma treatment depends up to 70% on the skill of the practitioner,
The Foxy M.D dermatologists all have long-standing experience in treating difficult, recurrent melasma cases,
We always closely monitor and evaluate the results after each treatment session to adjust the protocol promptly, ensuring the optimal treatment effect,
For melasma caused by hormones, external treatment alone is not enough,
Foxy M.D can combine counseling on internal supportive therapies (oral supplements) to help balance hormones, enhance skin health from within, helping to effectively prevent melasma recurrence,
This is definitely the question many of you are most interested in,
I would like to share that the cost for an effective and safe melasma treatment protocol at Foxy M.D is generally reasonable, commensurate with the quality of service and the modern technology you receive,
I cannot disclose a fixed price because the cost depends on many factors:
Condition and Type of Melasma: Patchy melasma will cost less than deep or mixed melasma because it requires fewer treatment sessions and more specialized technology,
Treatment Method: A regimen using advanced Laser Toning technology will have a different cost than a regimen using only chemical peels or topical application,
Number of Treatment Sessions: The necessary number of treatment sessions will depend on the severity of the melasma,
Treatment Area: The cost may vary if you want to treat the entire face, neck, or other areas,
Support Products: The cost may also include the specialized cosmeceutical products prescribed by the doctor for at-home use to maintain and enhance the effect,
Advice from me:
Instead of looking for the cheapest service, you should focus on finding the most effective and safe service,
Melasma needs to be treated correctly from the start to avoid darkening of the melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to incorrect treatment methods,
Please contact Foxy M.D Cosmetics & Clinic directly for a free consultation and to receive a specific, transparent cost estimate for your individual treatment protocol!
No matter how successful the melasma treatment is, prevention and at-home skincare remain the key factors in maintaining healthy, bright skin and preventing melasma recurrence,
We must remember that "prevention is better than cure," everyone,
This is the most important thing you must do every day, whether it's sunny or rainy, indoors or outdoors,
Use sunscreen: Choose a Broad Spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and PA+++ or higher,
Reapply frequently: Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours when spending time outdoors,
Physical protection: Combine a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and UV-blocking masks for thorough coverage,
Gentle cleansing: Avoid strong scrubbing that can damage the skin,
Use skin-brightening active ingredients: Actively use products containing Vitamin C (a strong antioxidant), Niacinamide, Arbutin to inhibit Melanin,
Moisturizing: Provide adequate moisture to help strengthen the skin's barrier, making the skin healthier and less prone to irritation,
Healthy eating: Increase foods rich in antioxidants (green vegetables, red/orange fruits), Vitamin C, E,
Drink enough water: Helps the skin eliminate toxins,
Stress control: Practice yoga, meditation, or take time to relax to balance hormones,
Avoid stimulants: Limit alcohol, beer, and tobacco,
During the melasma treatment process, I've noticed that you often have some common questions,
I will quickly answer them here:
Answer: Melasma is very difficult to disappear on its own, especially deep melasma,
However, pregnancy melasma (Melasma) may fade or disappear naturally after giving birth and when hormone levels stabilize,
Most common melasma cases require specialized treatment intervention,
Answer: The treatment duration depends on the type and severity of the melasma,
Patchy melasma: Improvement can be seen after a few weeks, with the full course completed in 1-3 months,
Deep/mixed melasma: Often takes 3-6 months, or even longer,
The important thing is that you must be patient and follow the doctor's protocol exactly,
Answer: Melasma is a pigmentation disorder with a very high chance of recurrence,
The main reasons for recurrence are: inadequate sun protection, hormonal imbalances returning, or not maintaining proper skincare,
Therefore, after successful treatment, you must adhere to the skincare and protection regimen guided by the Foxy M.D doctor,
Answer: Natural ingredients like lemon, honey, and aloe vera only have a slight supportive effect in brightening the skin surface and cannot eliminate melasma, especially deep melasma,
Furthermore, many ingredients have high acidity (like lemon) which can cause irritation, thin the skin, and make the skin more sensitive to the sun, thereby darkening the melasma,
I advise you to trust scientifically proven treatment methods,
To achieve maximum length and provide more in-depth information, I will delve into the analysis of effective melasma treatment active ingredients trusted by dermatologists,
Understanding the mechanism of action of each substance will help you use supportive cosmeceuticals at home intelligently and more effectively in the overall melasma treatment regimen,
Hydroquinone is the most proven effective active ingredient in melasma treatment,
Mechanism of action: It works by inhibiting the Tyrosinase enzyme—the main enzyme responsible for Melanin production,
It also has a mild cytotoxic effect on Melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), helping to reduce the number of overactive pigment cells,
Scientific research: Clinical studies have shown that Hydroquinone concentrations from 2% to 4% provide high effectiveness in fading patchy and mixed melasma,
Note: HQ needs to be used under the strict supervision of a dermatologist, especially at Foxy M.D, to avoid side effects like Ochronosis (bluish-black pigmentation) when used long-term and incorrectly,
Retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives, not only an anti-aging ingredient but also an important ally in melasma treatment,
Mechanism of action:
Accelerate skin cell turnover: Retinoids promote the turnover process of epidermal cells, helping pigment-containing skin cells in the upper layer be removed faster,
Block Melanin transfer: They can also interfere with the process of Melanin transfer from Melanocytes to Keratinocytes (skin cells),
Note: Tretinoin can cause initial irritation and redness, so it must be used at the appropriate dosage and frequency as instructed by the Foxy M.D specialist,
This is a gentler active ingredient but still very effective, especially for those with sensitive skin or skin prone to acne along with melasma,
Mechanism of action: Azelaic Acid has the ability to inhibit Tyrosinase, while also possessing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,
Scientific research: It has been proven to be as effective as Hydroquinone 2% in brightening the skin and fading melasma,
Tranexamic Acid is a relatively new but extremely promising discovery in effective melasma treatment methods,
Mechanism of action: It primarily works by preventing the activation of pigment cells due to UV rays, inflammation, or small blood vessel damage,
Application at Foxy M.D: Tranexamic Acid is used in two forms:
Topical application: Integrated into supportive specialized treatment products,
Mesotherapy Injection: Injected directly into the skin to enhance the effectiveness of melasma treatment from deep within,
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that every melasma-prone skin needs,
Mechanism of action:
Neutralize free radicals: Protects the skin from the damaging effects of UV rays and pollution,
Brighten skin: Mildly inhibits Tyrosinase and reduces Melanin,
Advice: Vitamin C should be used in the morning before sunscreen to optimize its skin protection ability,
To affirm the accuracy and effectiveness of the treatment methods at Foxy M.D, I want to cite a few important scientific studies:
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology clarified that Estrogen and Progesterone not only increase Melanin synthesis but also increase the number of Melanocytes in melasma skin,
This explains why pregnant women and those using birth control pills are prone to melasma, and emphasizes the importance of combination treatment (external and hormonal balance),
Many clinical trials have indicated that Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Toning technology (the type of modern machine Foxy M.D is using) is one of the safest and most effective treatment options for deep and mixed melasma,
Laser helps destroy Melanin pigment without causing significant thermal damage to surrounding tissues, helping to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH),
Research proves that combining three main ingredients (Hydroquinone, Tretinoin, and low-concentration Corticosteroid) yields results much faster and more visible than using each ingredient individually,
This is one of the core principles that Foxy M.D doctors reference to build the optimal combined protocol for clients,
In addition to the protocol at Foxy M.D, you must absolutely adhere to the at-home skincare routine,
This is a basic but extremely important formula:
Step 1: Gentle Cleansing: Use a pH-neutral facial cleanser,
Step 2: Antioxidant: Apply Vitamin C serum to boost the ability to fight free radicals and brighten the skin,
Step 3: Light Moisturizing: Use an oil-free moisturizer,
Step 4: Sunscreen (Mandatory): Apply Broad Spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50, PA++++) with sufficient amount (about $1/4$ teaspoon for the entire face),
Step 1: Makeup Removal and Cleansing: Absolutely do not skip the makeup removal step, even if you are not wearing makeup,
Step 2: Specialized Active Ingredients: Apply the product prescribed by the Foxy M.D doctor (e.g., containing Retinoids or Hydroquinone) according to instructions,
Step 3: Recovery: Use a recovery moisturizer (containing Niacinamide, B5, Ceramide) to soothe the skin and strengthen the skin barrier,
Melasma is often linked to free radicals and inflammation, so a diet rich in antioxidants is what we need to do every day,
Should eat:
Foods rich in Vitamin C: Oranges, tangerines, strawberries, guava, bell peppers,
Foods rich in Lycopene (natural sun protection): Cooked tomatoes, watermelon,
Foods rich in Beta-carotene: Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes,
Foods containing Omega-3: Salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds (help reduce inflammation),
Should limit:
Sweets, refined sugar: Causes the Glycation process, accelerating aging and increasing inflammation,
Processed foods, fast food: Contains many unhealthy fats and additives,
Melasma treatment is a marathon, not a sprint,
At Foxy M.D, we always emphasize the importance of regular follow-up visits,
Effectiveness evaluation: The doctor will assess your skin after each treatment cycle (e.g., after 4-6 weeks) to see how the skin is responding to the protocol,
Protocol adjustment: If necessary, the doctor will adjust the concentration of active ingredients, the intensity of the Laser, or change the method to ensure optimal effectiveness and avoid "plateau" or side effects,
Recurrence prevention: After the melasma has faded, the doctor will switch to a maintenance protocol, helping you use milder and safer active ingredients to prevent melasma recurrence,
The close cooperation between you and the Foxy M.D doctor team is the key to maintaining healthy and long-term melasma-free skin,
Through this article, I hope you have the most detailed answers to the question what is melasma signs, causes and how to treat it?,
Melasma is not an insurmountable problem,
With the right combination of modern technology, standard medical protocols, and personal patience, you can completely regain bright, even-toned, and radiant skin,
Don't let melasma take away your confidence,
Let Foxy M.D Cosmetics & Clinic be your trusted companion on the journey to conquering flawless skin,
We are committed to providing a safe, highly effective protocol, personalized for each skin condition,
Please inbox or call us now to schedule a free consultation today!
Foxy M.D – Committed to accompanying your healthy and beautiful skin!
