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And yet, the melasma goes out!

The innovative protocols of Tzouma Clinic address melasma and eliminate the risk of unwanted relapses.

Melasma is the diffuse discoloration that has brown-grey hue and is mainly observed on the forehead, on the sides of the nose, on the upper lip and on the sides. A common example is the dark “stains” that appear in pregnancy. Their color is not due to a concentration of melanin on the surface of the skin as in freckles. It is due to cells that malfunction in the lower layers. That is why melasma does not respond to the bleaching treatments of freckles but needs special treatment.
It most often appears on women’s faces. It can be superficial i.e. epidermal, i.e. deep chorionic or mixed. The clinic doctors are able to tell if it’s melasma. If so, what is the extent and depth of the problem? This is achieved by using the special digital fotofinder lamp for deep analysis of the skin or the Visia dermoanalysis machine.

– Causes of melasma occurrence

Hereditary predisposition is important in most cases but does not always exist. Important factors are exposure to the sun. Dark skin phototype as well as taking photosensitive drugs such as isotretinoin, cortisone, contraceptives. Melasma is particularly common in hormonal disorders. Exogenous hormone intake as well as pregnancy. Most women characteristically report that after their pregnancy they experienced discoloration of their face and call them “pregnancy mask”.

– Dr Anastasia Tzouma’s philosophy on the treatment of melasma

Dr Anastasia Tzouma has been involved with melasma for many years. She’s studied hundreds of cases and her own melasma as well. Knowing that these are melanocytes that are found in the deeper layers of the skin while most bleaching treatments are surface-related and do not often have an effect, she applied her own therapeutic protocol. «”In melasma we must follow a mild healing protocol and not proceed to aggressive methods from the beginning. These will have a quick result, but also a quick relapse, so its image eventually gets worse than before. In order to avoid this danger, we start with the most gentle technique. If this one doesn’t work, we move on to the next one that’s less light. If necessary, we continue with another method with the most effective of all, the magic pico laser». In all protocols we begin the preparation of the skin with a special cream.Either ready or handmade in the pharmacy, which may contain glycolic acid, retinol or hydroquinone, as appropriate. We also have special products for the treatment of melasma. In serum or cream, with tranexamic acid. Which has been proven to be extremely effective and more secure for this purpose. Also products for the treatment and preparation of the skin of herbal origin. These are Is Clinical, ideal for periods such as pregnancy and breastfeeding. We are also one of the few clinics in Europe that have the specialized medical products for Dr. Zein Obagi from Los Angeles. Dr. Zein Obagi has studied melasma for several years before presenting with official scientific studies the amazing products for treatment. The doctors of Tzouma Clinic are trained by Dr. Zein Obagi for the implementation of its therapeutic protocols as well as the use of its products as appropriate. There are patients who see improvement with just one cream. Often supplemental treatment with pills can be given in the most demanding cases.  

The Tzouma Clinic Therapeutic Protocols for Melasma

– Melan Off Protocol by Tzouma Clinic

It is a light peeling, from 2 to 4 sessions with three-week intervals. They are combined  with microneedling using retinol or other bleaching agents such as tranexamic acid. An innovative ingredient that fights the concentration of melanin in the skin.
This revolutionary treatment removes melanin that is concentrated even at the lower levels of the epidermis. It inhibits its production by affecting the mechanisms of melanogenesis and promotes a uniform color tone by visibly eliminating discoloration. The skin immediately after treatment is slightly red. Symptom that will subside the next day. There may be very slight peeling which will last for 1 to 2 days. 

– Mela Peel Forte Dermaceutic

It is a medium depth peeling by the well-known French company Dermaceutic Laboratories. It has absolute evidence in the deepest cases of melasma. Usually one or more sessions are applied, if necessary. It requires a short recovery time because it is accompanied by mild to moderate exfoliation. Depending on the case and the treatment protocol chosen by the physician. The initial preparation peel is Activa peel forte which contains azelaic acid, salicylic acid, ferulic acid and ph 1.41. The melapeel solution that follows contains Lactic, Salicylic, Phytic and Cosic acid, Retinol, Arbutine – ph 2.23 in ideal concentrations for use in aesthetic dermatology. This peeling should stay on the skin for six hours. Then the treatment is done at home. First with a reconstructive cream for the first week. Then with Mela Cream which contains the same ingredients as peeling but at a reduced concentration. Mela Cream is included in the cost of treatment and is given to the patient after the end of the session.

– Mesotherapy

Alternatively or at the intervals of the sessions we can do mesotherapy with the special bleaching product of Prostrolane. It contains biomimetic peptides that reach the deepest parts of the skin and act whitening. This treatment is also applied during the summer months.

– Discovery Pico laser

They’re the only lasers that can get into the deeper layers of skin. That is, where the melasma is, in order to break down the stimulated melanocytes. To remove them, activate the collagen and thus correct the color changes. All this without destroying the surface layers of the skin leaving signs of aging or discoloration.
They are also the only ones officially approved by the fda to treat melasma. They are applied with special therapeutic personalized protocols in all difficult and durable melasma cases only by the clinic plysicians. The Discovery Pico laser has 3 different lasers for the treatment of pigmented lesions. It selectively targets the melanosomes present in the melasma, even in the deeper layers of the skin. Through the high thermal energy it carries, it breaks melanin down into tiny particles. The Discovery Pico laser is the first time that the time of beats takes place in picosecond!
This enables us to use higher intensity ensuring greater effectiveness in dealing with even resistant melasma forms. Greater safety, as the laser does not come in contact with the surface of the skin and does not damage healthy skin. Immediately afterwards, the fractional pico laser is applied to the whole face. Which combines the revolutionary technology of fractional and pulse in picosecond.
This stimulates the regenerative mechanisms of the skin, removing the melasma in a completely safe way. No complications, and the synthesis of collagen and elastin begins. The result is a renewed complexion, while progressively the face becomes shiny, without discoloration.

– How many sessions are needed to treat melasma with Pico Laser? 

The number of sessions depends on the depth and durability of the melasma. Also factors that affect the number of sessions are skin color and often previous treatments that may have negatively affected the clinical picture. Usually, 2-3 sessions are needed, while very often only one session is enough.

– Is Pico Laser a painful treatment for the treatment of melasma?

The treatment is not painful at all and is very well tolerated. At Tzouma Clinic we recommend the application of anesthetic cream 20 – 30 minutes before treatment to make the process completely pleasant for everyone.

– What will the skin look like immediately after treatment with Pico Laser?

Immediately after applying the pico laser the skin will be mild red. Redness resolves in the first few hours after the session and the return to daily life is immediate. 

– When will I see results from the treatment of melasma with Pico Laser?

Results will be visible from the first days after the session with strikingly healthy and radiant skin. The melasma is gradually retreating. Mostly without the possibility of relapse as with other lasers but also with the proper guidance of clinic physicians.

“Melasma can be zeroed as long as we respect it and treat it kindly.”

DR. ANASTASIA TZOUMA

PERSONALISED PROTOCOLS WITH A COMBINATION OF TREATMENTS FOR PERFECT RESULTS

IMPRESSIVE RESULTS THAT ERASE MELASMA

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