PRP for Hyperpigmentation / Melasma
Melasma is a natural darkening of the skin on your face caused by excessive
production of melanin — the pigment that causes your skin to tan. That's why the sun, which increases melanin production, usually makes your melasma worse.
Melasma can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how much of your face is discolored and how much darker than normal your skin has become.
Melasma is usually caused by normal hormonal changes in women — during
pregnancy or when taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Melasma may be associated with the use of certain anti-epileptic drugs in both sexes. Because of the way it looks when it usually occurs, melasma is sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy."
Men can develop melasma, especially men who work outdoors (police, firefighter, construction, etc).
Melasma only occurs on the areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. Exposure to the sun, even during normal daily activities, can further darken melasma.
Who gets melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition that occurs predominantly in women. In fact, about 6 million women are estimated to have melasma. Anyone can have it, though it seems to be more common in people with light brown skin, especially Hispanics and Asians.
PRP Growth Factor treatment for melasma.
The most common prescription treatment is hydroquinone in varying concentrations. There are several prescription formulations in use. Most people with melasma are familiar with Obagi and Tri-Luma since they both contain hydroquinone.
PRP contains multiple Growth Factors, including TGF-β1. In 2004, Kim investigated the effects of TGF-β on melanocytes and found that melanin production was significantly decreased in the presence of TGF-β1. in 2014, Mutlu published his results of 80% reduction of forehead, cheek, and peri-oral hyperpigmentation in a 27 yo Turkish woman. His published patient underwent 3 treatment session in 45 days.
Actual Patient of Dr Dominguez with Hyperpigmentation treated with PRP. Sixty (60) % reduction in pigmentation after 8 days.
REFERENCES
Kim DS, Park SH, Park KC. Transforming growth factor beta1 decreases melanin synthesis via delayed extracellular signal regulated kinase activation. Int J Biochem Cell Bio 2004; 36:1482-1491.
Mutlu C, et al. Regression of Melasma with Platelet-Rich Plasma. Ann Derm 2014.26.3.401
Abstracted with permission from: http://www.aestheticmedicinetoday.com/Melasma.html
