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Suggest Treatment For Melasma On Cheeks

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Posted on Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Question: I have pigmentation (dark brown spots ) on my cheeks called melasma. My doctor has given kojic acid cream as well as hydroquinone creams but it's not reduced. Can u suggest some medication bcoz it's spreading due to which am getting frustrated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Charu Bansal (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
peels and laser with sunscreen

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic.com.
I have read your query.
I understand your concern.
Melasma is characterised by pigmentation of skin due to melanin pigment deposition in skin layers. These deposits if present in upper layer respond very well to topicals like hydroquinone, tretinoin, kojic acid, vitamin C, flucinolone acetonide, glycolic acid.
But if in deeper layers, then creams dont work much.
I usually advice my patients to apply topical cream containing hydroquinone, tretinoin and flucinolone acetonide in combination for 2-3 weeks followed by kojic acid cream.
For remaining melasma or non responding cases, I prefer to advise deep peels or Nd:YAG laser.
Deep peels like yellow peel penetrates deeper and help in improvement of pigmentation. The sessions are given after every 2 weeks depending on the response.
Nd:YAG laser also targets both superficial and deep pigment thereby improving the melasma.
Both peels and Laser is done by an expert dermatologist.
The most important thing in all is application of a broad spectrum sunscreen regularly over all the exposed areas.
Besides this, I will advise you to get your Hemoglobin, thyroid profile done.
You should Visit your doctor and discuss my opinion with him.
He may order tests for you.
I hope it helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Charu Bansal (10 hours later)
Can u suggest some broad spectrum sunscreen. For my skin.Also I have hairfall problem. My hair has become very thin and it has gradually become thin from last 5to 6 yrs. I have used minoxidil for almost 2yrs and for last 1.5yrs am taking Dr.Batras treatment but hair is becoming scanty day by day.my blood and thyroid levels are normal. I had done and consulted Dr. For the same. It's typical female pattern baldness scalp is visible on Crown portion and behind also hair is very less. Yet I have not taken mesothetapy. Can u suggest me treatment and medicine for some improvements.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Charu Bansal (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
platelet rich plasma therapy

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.
Yes you may use Ansolar sunscreen with SPF 60 or Photostable sunscreen. From your description, it is Female pattern alopecia as you have also mentioned.
in such cases, topical Minoxidil 2 percent is the treatment of choice which you are already applying. I prefer to advise topical minoxidil in combination with oral finasteride or dutasteride in females.
The treatment needs to be continued for long before any benefit effects are seen. Also once you stop the treatment, it reverts back to original within 8-9months.
You may require tablet containing Biotin, Calcium pantothenate, selenium as main component also for atleast 3 months.
Platelet rich plama therapy is the latest addition to this treatment in such non responding cases.
It is done by an expert dermatologist once a month for atleast 6 months.
Very good results are obtained in most of the patients with combination of minoxidil, finasteride and PRP therapy.
Ypu can share my opinion with your doctor.
I am sure that he would agree with this.
I hope it helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Charu Bansal (1 hour later)
Kindly prescribe the oral dutasteride and the suppliment which I have to take and also which minoxidil I have to use so that I can start my treatment bcoz I don't want to go to any doctor in goa now. Send me detailed prescription for both treatment melasma and hairloss.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Charu Bansal (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
For prescription ypu should visit your doctor in person

Detailed Answer:
Hii.
I understand your point. But we doctors here can advise you and give our opinion but cannot give you prescription.
Fot prescription you need to visit your doctor in person. The medications are to be taken under supervision and dose is calculated bsed on body weight.
So for complete prescription, you should talk to your doctor. You can share my opinion with him.
I hope it helps.
Stay healthy.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Charu Bansal

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 773 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Melasma On Cheeks

Brief Answer: peels and laser with sunscreen Detailed Answer: Hello. Welcome to Healthcaremagic.com. I have read your query. I understand your concern. Melasma is characterised by pigmentation of skin due to melanin pigment deposition in skin layers. These deposits if present in upper layer respond very well to topicals like hydroquinone, tretinoin, kojic acid, vitamin C, flucinolone acetonide, glycolic acid. But if in deeper layers, then creams dont work much. I usually advice my patients to apply topical cream containing hydroquinone, tretinoin and flucinolone acetonide in combination for 2-3 weeks followed by kojic acid cream. For remaining melasma or non responding cases, I prefer to advise deep peels or Nd:YAG laser. Deep peels like yellow peel penetrates deeper and help in improvement of pigmentation. The sessions are given after every 2 weeks depending on the response. Nd:YAG laser also targets both superficial and deep pigment thereby improving the melasma. Both peels and Laser is done by an expert dermatologist. The most important thing in all is application of a broad spectrum sunscreen regularly over all the exposed areas. Besides this, I will advise you to get your Hemoglobin, thyroid profile done. You should Visit your doctor and discuss my opinion with him. He may order tests for you. I hope it helps. Take care.