melanage peel - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about melanage peel or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Melanage
Highlights
- Most effective treatment for superficial and medium depth melasma
- Skin lightening
- Treats hyperpigmentation effectively
- Improves skin texture
- $850 / treatment
- To maintain results - patient must adhere to life time post treatment instructions
Overview:
The Melanage Skin Lightening System is a superficial peel designed to improve the texture and appearance of hyperpigmented skin. The peel involves a medicated masque and at-home regimen. There is no pain and little-to-no irritation during the application of the mask, and the irritation level on the following days is like a sunburn.
The mask is applied during an office visit, and removed by the patient at home after a required length of time, which will be designated by the Doctor. Patients are then responsible for following an easy, at-home regimen, which involves the application of several Melanage products which will be provided during the office visit. This complimentary take-home product kit is tailored to maximize the results of your treatment.
Conditions
- Melasma
- Sun damage
- Hyperpigmentation
- Texture
Frequency
- 6 months or more
Pros
- All skin types
- Minimal down time
Cons
- Not effective for wrinkles
Not for
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Active Rosacea
- Active cold sores
- History of warts
- Accutane users (6 months off)
- Expected results
- Results vary, but generally patients will see a significant improvement in the appearance of pigmented areas. Dark spots will dramatically lighten and skin texture and tone will improve. Each treatment can be performed no sooner than 6 months, no more than two treatments per year is recommended.
- Preparations
- One week before the treatment, we ask you to refrain from electrolysis, waxing, depilatory creams, laser hair removal treatments, cosmetic facials, Botox, etc. Two to three days before the treatment, we ask you to avoid using any Retin-A, Renova, Differin, Tazorac, Avage, retinols, alpha hydroxyl acids, beta hydroxyl acids, benzoyl peroxide, or any other exfoliating products that may be drying or irritating.
- Post treatment instructions
- It is imperative that you use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and avoid direct sunlight for at least 1 week. Best results will be obtained with regular daily use of such sunscreen.
- Downtime
- Peeling and redness could last up to 7-10 days
- Price
- $850/treatment
- Contraindications
- Patients with active cold sores or warts, skin with open wounds, sunburn, excessively sensitive skin, dermatitis or inflammatory rosacea, history of herpes simplex, pregnant or breast feeding (lactating) women, patients currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation, patients who have been on Accutane within the past year.
I have stubborn melasma. I wear a 30 to 60 SPF everyday, drive with a 30 SPF screen attached to my window, and make a conscious effort to stay out of the sun. My mother and brother have also suffered from melasma.
I have used a derm prescribed 8% HQ 5% KA 1% HC cream for almost a decade with little success. In Sept 2012 I tried Fraxel Restore Dual. Results were excellent the first two weeks, then I got post laser hyperpigmentation. Second treatment 4 weeks later did nothing. Now I am noticing my melasma return.
I am wondering if you think the melange peel is likely to work. The before and after pics on your website look promising! How soon after the procedure was the after picture taken?
Thanks!
You will probably have great results with the Melanage peel. However, with any lapse in sun protection, melasma can return. You must be sure that your sunscreen contains excellent UVA coverage. The SPF measures UVB protection, the protection from sunburn. However, melasma is mostly driven by UVA, for which there is no labeling yet. Please use adequate zinc or titanium dioxide containing sunscreens or sunscreens made by Anthelios or products by Johnson and Johnson that show the Helioplex sign. The pictures on our website were taken 6 weeks after the procedure.
I have hyper pigmentation from acne. Will this treatment be effective for me?
Melanage peel removes brown pigment from various sources, including post inflammatory changes associated with acne.
I have hyperpigmentation on my chin area only. Is it possible to have a treatment only on that area? Would it cost less?
Hyperpigmentation usually takes several treatments to reduce. Localized hyperpigmentation can be treated in a localized fashion. The fee for localized microdermabrasion on the chin is $50 and for a localized glycolic acid peel to chin it is also $50.
Hello Doctor,
I had a melanage mini peel approximately two weeks ago for my melasma and I found some improvement but I would like to have the full melanage peel. Does your office offer the mini peel or the full melanage peel? How soon can someone recieve the melanage peel after having the mini melanage peel? I experienced minor peeling (which has stopped) and I do not have any residual redness or irritation.
Thank you!
We offer both Mini Melanage and the full Melanage peel. You should allow 4 weeks after the Mini Melanage peel before having the full.
Doe’s the peel work on African American skin that has been darkened from the sun? And if so how many peels will be required? Thanks in advance.
It would work well. One peel is usually sufficient.
Hello Dr Ringpfeil,
I have melasma that I was given a topical prescription for at your center several years ago. I have had fair to good results. At the time, the dermatologist offered the Melanage treatment but I was concerned about the sensitivity of my skin. I have read about Melanage mini-peels. Is that something your center might offer?
We perform the Mini-Melanage peel as well as the Melanage peel in the Haverford and Philadelphia office. Both, the Mini Melanage and the Melanage peel, cause skin to peel and be red for up to 10 days. The peeling ad redness are intense with the Melanage peel and less intense with the Mini-Melanage peel. Sensitivity of the skin is not usually a concern with either of these peels as they do not contain potentially caustic agents. You might require several Mini-Melanage peels to get to the results of a Melanage peel. There is no specific preparation needed for the peel. If you currently use fading agents and/or tretinoin, you may continue these until you are scheduled for the peel. You may book the peel with any of our aestheticians at your convenience.
I had a melanage mini peel and it cleared my dark spots for about a month then everything came back. It lightened my whole face then back to original color.
Will it be perhaps lasting if I do more than one treatment?
An additional Melanage mini peel might give you longer lasting results. Most importantly, you would benefit from a maintenance regimen to preserve results. In our office, we encourage follow up 4-6 weeks after the peel to establish the skin care regimen going forward.
How do you know if the regular peel or the mini peel is the right approach? I saw a dermatologist in your office and she recommended either but I’m not sure which peel to try.
The regular Melanage peel reduces melasma by 85% on average. If you can afford 10 days of peeling and 4 weeks of gradually reducing redness that can be covered, it is absolutely the way to go. If this is not possible and your melasma is mild, Mini-Melanage peel is an option. It is not as powerful as the Melanage peel but downtime is usually a lot less. Those of our patients who cannot afford the downtime of a Melanage peel often have several mini Melanage peels in conjunction with other methods that reduce pigment. Your next step is scheduling an appointment with one of our aestheticians to discuss downtime in detail to determine what works best for you.