NBC News – Laser Procedure Targets Mask of Pregnancy – Melasma

admin | May 22, 2010 | Comments 0

www.innovationsmedical.com NBC covers the skin condition known as melasma. Dr. Bill Johnson of Innovations Medical is interviewed in regards to the Fraxel procedure and his medical practice. Melasma doesn’t cause any other symptoms besides skin discoloration but may be of great cosmetic concern. Melasma is a dark skin discoloration that appears on sun-exposed areas of the face. A uniform brown color is usually seen over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. It is most often symmetrical (matching on both sides of the face). Melasma is a very common skin disorder. Though it can affect anyone, young women with brownish skin tones are at greatest risk. Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is especially common in pregnant women, women who are taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives) and women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. Sun exposure is also a strong risk factor for melasma. The condition is particularly common in tropical climates. Melasma (also known as “Chloasma faciei”[1] or the mask of pregnancy[2] when present in pregnant women) is a tan or dark skin discoloration. Although it can affect anyone, melasma is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications. It is also prevalent in men and women of Native American descent (on the forearms) and in men and women of German/Russian …