Key Takeaways

• Melasma: is a chronic pigmentation disorder triggered by hormones, sun exposure, and genetics, often recurring despite treatment.
• Pico Laser: breaks down deep melanin deposits with ultra-short pulses, offering safer results for all skin tones and minimal downtime.
• Skin boosters: like Plinest and NCTF improve hydration, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the skin barrier, key for melasma-prone skin.
• Combining Pico Laser and skin boosters: provides synergistic benefits: pigment reduction, faster recovery, and better skin texture.
• Most patients: need 3–5 laser sessions spaced weeks apart, with monthly skin booster injections recommended for maintenance.
• Ongoing sun protection and professional care: are critical to prevent melasma recurrence and maintain long-term results.

Introduction

Melasma is characterised by flat, irregular brown or greyish patches of darker pigmentation. It typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the face, like the cheeks and forehead.

Primarily caused by overproduction of melanin, the skin disorder mostly affects women experiencing hormonal changes during pregnancy. Though not fatal, its visible nature can be distressing. In fact, patients often experience increased self-consciousness and decreased self-confidence.

To exacerbate issues, melasma is notoriously stubborn to treat due to its complex and multifactorial causes. Even after successful treatment, melasma often recurs. Thus, necessitating a long-term multi-modal approach to management.

What is Melasma?

Melasma is a common skin disorder that mostly affects sun-exposed parts of one’s face, including the nose, forehead, upper lip, and cheeks. Despite its ability to afflict anyone, it’s mainly prevalent in pregnant women.

It’s characterised by symmetrical patches of darker pigmentation, usually brown or blue-grey. These flat, variable-sized patches typically appear gradually and occasionally resemble freckles.

Caused by overproduction of melanin, it may be triggered by factors such as:

• Hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy)
• Sun overexposure
• Genetic susceptibility
• Autoimmune thyroid disorders and skin irritation.

For further reading, check out: Melasma Treatment in Malaysia.

Why is Melasma hard to treat?

Due to its high recurrence rate and the depth of pigmentation in the skin, melasma is extremely challenging to treat.

Melasma isn’t solely an epidermal hyperpigmentary disorder but a complex condition with characteristics of photoaging disorders. This means it frequently recurs even after successful therapy.

In practice, triggers such as sun exposure, hormonal changes, and genetics can reactivate melanin production. This consequently makes consistent photoprotection and maintenance therapy mission-critical.

The depth of the pigment in melasma also poses a challenge. Melanin deposits can be found not only in the epidermis but also in the dermis. Thereby, making melasma refractory to treatments that target epidermal pigmentation.

Pico Laser for Melasma: How it works

In order to treat melasma, the picosecond laser, like PicoSure ® and PICO Genesis™, emits extremely short light pulses that last 300–500 picoseconds.

These short pulses deliver high energy that breaks down melanin pigment particles into tiny particles, without generating significant heat. The fragmented melanin is then naturally cleared away by the body’s immune system.

This specialised laser technique, often referred to as the photoacoustic effect, minimises harm to the surrounding skin tissue while precisely targeting melanin. Consequently, there is a lower chance of adverse effects like scarring or burns.

Benefits of Pico Laser for Melasma

Pico laser offers several benefits for treating melasma, for example:

• By delivering ultra-short pulses that break down melanin into small fragments, it efficiently targets both surface and deep pigmentation.
• It involves minimal downtime and is suitable for all skin tones, making it a versatile option for diverse patients.
• It stimulates collagen production, improving overall skin texture and enhancing skin appearance beyond just reducing pigmentation.
• It also causes minimal discomfort during treatment, making it more tolerable compared to other laser procedures.

In contrast to traditional lasers, Pico lasers deliver better precision in targeting pigment with less heat generation. Thereby, appreciably lowering the risk of rebound hyperpigmentation and other side effects such as scarring or burns.

This precision and reduced thermal damage make Pico laser a safer and more effective option for managing stubborn melasma, especially in darker skin types.

What are Skin Boosters?

Skin boosters are injectable treatments that infuse nutritious ingredients straight into the dermal layer of the skin to moisturise, heal, and revitalise it. They typically constitute ingredients like hyaluronic acid, polynucleotides (PN), vitamins, and amino acids.

These ingredients are scientifically combined to increase skin hydration, promote the formation of collagen and elastin, and improve the texture and luminosity of the skin overall.

Unlike traditional fillers that add volume, skin boosters focus on appreciably improving skin quality without altering facial contours. As such, they are appropriate for people who want to rejuvenate their skin in a natural way with little recovery time.

Benefits of skin booster injections for melasma-prone skin:

Skin booster injections offer multiple benefits for melasma-prone skin, for example:

• They strengthen the skin barrier, which helps protect against environmental triggers that worsen pigmentation.
• They also appreciably reduce inflammation, calming irritated skin and promoting tissue healing. This action is crucial for preventing melasma flare-ups.
• They noticeably improve skin tone and texture by deeply hydrating the skin and stimulating collagen and elastin production.
• They reduce pore size and improve overall skin radiance, contributing to a healthier, glowing appearance.

Types of skin booster injections

Different types of skin booster injections are available on the market, each designed to address specific skin concerns using different active ingredients.

• Plinest®: It works for melasma by promoting deep skin regeneration using highly pure polynucleotide (PN) gel, which enhances collagen production, skin elasticity, and overall skin health. Its bio-revitalizing effects help restore an even skin tone and texture, making it a strong complement to laser-based melasma treatments like Pico or Sylfirm X.
• Neauvia Hydro Deluxe: It treats melasma-prone or photo-damaged skin by delivering deep, long-lasting hydration through a high concentration of hyaluronic acid and amino acids. It restores skin moisture balance, improves texture, and supports skin structure, making it ideal for dry or sun-damaged complexions often associated with melasma..

• NCTF®: This specialised vitamin cocktail skin booster combines vitamins and amino acids to promote skin regeneration and revitalisation. It works to improve skin tone and texture by delivering essential nutrients directly into the dermal layer.

Why combine Pico Laser and Skin Boosters for Melasma treatment?

Melasma can be persistent and annoying to treat. As such, multi-modal approaches are often used to manage chronic melasma cases prone to relapse.

Comprehensive multi-modal melasma treatment plans often target pigmentation whilst also restoring and rejuvenating the skin for sustained improvement. For example, when Pico laser and skin boosters are employed in conjunction to treat melasma, they produce superior results.

Melanin pigment is systematically broken down by the Pico laser’s ultra-short pulses, initiating skin renewal with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. In tandem, skin boosters are mission-critical because laser treatment can temporarily produce some degree of inflammation.

Skin boosters natively contain hyaluronic acid and polynucleotides that counteract inflammation, support recovery, hydration, and collagen rebuilding. This, in turn, improves the smoothness and resilience of the skin.

Overall, the synergy between Pico laser and skin boosters results in:

• Reduced post-laser inflammation.
• Brighter and more even-toned skin.
• Longer-lasting treatment effects.

Treatment timeline: What to expect

The standard comprehensive treatment timeline for melasma using Pico laser and skin boosters usually commences with a Pico laser session. This is consequently followed by a skin booster injection 1 to 2 weeks later to support skin recovery and hydration.

The majority of patients receive 3 to 5 Pico laser treatments, separated by roughly 3 to 6 weeks. To preserve and improve outcomes, monthly skin booster treatments are advised.

Downtime from Pico lasers is often minimal, often involving 1 to 2 days of redness. Relatedly, skin boosters may produce mild swelling at injection sites that resolves rapidly.

Noticeable improvements typically start in two to three weeks. Normally, gradual improvement occurs over several months as the skin heals and pigmentation fades. As such, patience is key.

Clique Clinic’s combination treatment approach

In Malaysia, Clique Clinic is undisputed in offering combination treatments for melasma. We have proven expertise in Pico Laser Technology, including PicoSure and PICO Genesis, known for their safety and effectiveness on Asian skin.

We also offer a variety of skin booster options, such as Plinest + NCTF®, Rejuran®, Profhilo®, and Belotero® Revive. This therapy variety allows for customised treatments addressing individual skin needs and melasma severity.

In fact, Clique Clinic employs clinically backed protocols designed for minimal downtime and real results. This personalised patient-centred approach promotes effective and lasting improvements in skin tone and texture.

FAQs

Can I do Pico Laser and skin boosters on the same day?

It’s usually recommended to space them out by 1–2 weeks to avoid overwhelming the skin. In practice, Pico laser treatment may cause temporary redness, inflammation, and mild skin barrier disruption. As such, one requires some time to calm down before applying skin boosters.

Is the combination safe for darker skin types?

Yes, Pico lasers are safe for Fitzpatrick III–VI skin types. When combined with skin boosters, the treatment supports skin recovery and further reduces irritation. However, it’s imperative that such treatments are performed by experienced practitioners who tailor protocols to individual skin types.

How soon can I see results?

Initial brightening may appear after 1–2 sessions, with more noticeable improvement after 4–6 weeks. Full effects and long-term improvements often dictate 3 to 5 treatment sessions spaced several weeks apart. Ongoing enhancements are recommended up to a year post-treatment, depending on individual skin response and maintenance.

How many Pico laser sessions are needed to treat melasma?

Most people need between 3 to 5 sessions spaced 3–6 weeks apart. However, the precise number depends on the severity of pigmentation and one’s skin type. Maintenance treatments may be required to sustain results and minimise recurrence.

Do skin boosters help with melasma?

Yes. Skin boosters appreciably improve skin hydration, barrier function, and cellular repair— all of which support melasma treatment by reducing inflammation and averting pigment recurrence.

Can melasma come back after Pico laser treatment?

Melasma is prone to recurrence, especially with sun exposure or hormonal triggers. As such, combining Pico laser with skin boosters and strict sun protection appreciably reduces the chances of recurrence.

Is it safe to combine Pico laser and Rejuran for melasma treatment?

Yes. Many dermatologists recommend combining the Pico laser and Rejuran. The laser targets pigment while Rejuran promotes skin healing and collagen production. Thereby, making it ideal for sensitive, melasma-prone skin.

Conclusion

Due to its complex and multifactorial nature, melasma is prone to recurrence. This makes it exceedingly difficult to treat with one approach. To exacerbate issues, melasma has no permanent cure.

Since patients are prone to relapse due to hormonal fluctuations and continuous sun exposure, comprehensive ongoing approaches are key to their management.

For example, combining Pico laser with skin boosters may address both the pigmentary aspects and overall skin health. Pico laser disrupts melanin pigment while skin boosters enhance hydration, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen.

This approach targets visible discolouration but also supports the skin’s recovery and resilience. Thereby, appreciably preventing melasma flare-ups and improving texture and tone. However, consistency, diligent aftercare, and professional guidance are mission-critical to achieving lasting results.

Beyond Pico laser session adherence, effective management includes ongoing photoprotection and lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, consulting an established clinic ensures a personalised treatment plan that incorporates clinically backed protocols to address the multifactorial causes of melasma.