Cosmelan one of the best options for skin discoloration

Skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation are common and displeasing aesthetic conditions. Excessive sun exposure produces free radicals which trigger the increase of both new skin discolorations and the darkening of existing pigmentation spots.

The Cosmelan method has been designed to attenuate/eliminate blemishes and brownish discoloration caused by excess melanin in the skin.

What causes skin discoloration?

• Genetic
• Race.
• Gender.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause.
• Oral contraceptive use.
• Sun exposure i.e. Photo damage.
• Possibly underlying diseases.
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

What is Cosmelan?

This is a product used to correct hyperpigmentation i.e. brownish discoloration of the skin. It reduces the appearance of skin discoloration. It is made at mesoesthetic laboratories in Spain. Gentle, safe and highly effective results make cosmelan the best solution for the overproduction of pigment in the skin.

What are the relevant active products in Cosmelan?

• Azelaic Acid.
• Salicylic Acid.
• Kojic Acid.
• Arbutin.
• Licorice Extract and more.

These five active products in Cosmelan are lightening products which inhibit Tyrosinase, an enzyme that produces Melanin (color in the skin).

What is the difference between Cosmelan and Cosmelan MD?

MD version of Cosmelan is much more potent and effective because it also contains a prescription product called:

• Hydroquinone. This is the most popular bleaching agent used in United States.

Comelan MD is sold only to the physician and retail on line is illegal and not safe.

How does Cosmelan work?

Cosmelan depigmentation treatment blocks the body’s biological process that causes skin discoloration in the skins deeper layers from surfacing. Cosmelan inhibits Tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the production of melanin (brown color of the skin).

What is the advantage of Cosmelan over alternative treatments for skin discoloration?

• It causes a fast depigmentation with a moderate, socially accepted exfoliant effect.
• It is highly effective for all cutaneous blemishes (melasma, chloasma) , especially in the epidermis.
• It may be started at any time of year when used in conjunction with the daily use of Total Moisturizing Sun block.
• By using the Cosmelan Method as described, it enables the patient exposure to the sun without the threat of the blemish reappearing.
• It is compatible with any skin phototype.
• It has a very high safety margin.

How is the Cosmelan application performed?

This is a procedure initiated at the medical office performed by the physician.

• Skin is going to be cleaned with a special cleanser.
• A degreasing solution applied over area being treated. It will eliminate all impurities oil from the skin to achieve optimum penetration of Cosmelan 1 cream.
• Cosmelan 1 mask is applied to the area being treated for discoloration.

At our office the procedure is completed and you will be sent home with a jar of Cosmelan 2 and a tube of HydraVital K along home instructions performed under physician supervision. The Cosmelan Depigmentation treatment must be continued at home, on a daily basis, according to the guidelines indicated.

What is home instruction for Cosmelan therapy?

You leave the office with the mask on the skin. You wash off the mask at home anywhere between 8 to 12 hours later as instructed by Dr. Shafa. The number of hours the mask is left on the skin depends on the type skin, problems targeted, skin sensitivity, evolution of pigment and Dr. Shafa’s professional experience with the use of the product.

What is the home Care protocol for Cosmelan?

1st DAY- Mask day

After the action time indicated has elapsed, you must remove the mask with neutral cleanser and water. Immediately following, apply HydraVital Factor k (provided to you from the office) over the entire treated area.

2nd DAY-First 2 weeks

You begin applying Cosmelane 2 Maintenance cream (provided to you from the office) 2 or 3 times a day as instructed by Dr. Shafa. 15 minutes after each application of Cosmelane 2, apply HydraVital Factor K and Complete Moisturizing Sunscreen must be used every day.

Week 3 to Week 10

Apply Cosmelan 2 twice a day.

15 minutes later repeat Factor K followed by moisturizing sunscreen as above.

Week 11 to 6 months

Apply Cosmelan 2 once a day

15 minutes later repeat Factor K followed by moisturizing sunscreen as above.

What to expect after mask is removed from the skin?

• You may or may not have a slight pink tone.
• You may or may not experience a light topical cell turnover.
• If very sensitive skin you may experience an itchy feeling.
• Slight warming may be present.

If dryness or irritation occurs while using Cosmelan 2, stop using the product for 2 days and then resume on the 3ed day.

To avoid these possible symptoms, it is advisable to apply the HydraVital Factor K as needed or as recommended by Dr. Shafa.

After 7 to 10 days, Skin appears healthy and luminous.

Who is not a candidate for Cosmelan?

• Children under 12 years of age.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers.
• Not used for Rosacea or Poikiloderma.

What are the dos and don’ts with cosmelan?

• Avoid contact with the eyes and mucosa membranes. In the event of accidental contact; wash with abundant amount of water.
• Any previous skin treatment such as laser, chemical peels especially glycolic, retinols and other aggressive skin product or procedures must be discontinued 7 to 10 days prior to giving treatment.
• The use of any other depigmentation products is not allowed during treatment unless it is instructed differently by Dr. Shafa.
• The treatment must not be interrupted under any circumstances, during the whole time prescribed unless it is instructed by Dr. Shafa.
• Follow up visits are recommended, one and two weeks after beginning of treatment, and one month later to evaluate and maintain the effect of the treatment.

Skin changes with Cosmelan?

Reddening of the Skin

The reddening that occurs on the face after applying the Cosmelan 1 treatment is similar to the effects of day-long exposure to the sun in the snow without protection. (Intense reddening in photo types 1 & 2, and practically non-existent in photo type IV and V).

Flaking

Flaking may occur on all skin types between the second and third day. In this case it is advisable to apply Hydra-vital factor K cream, repeating this every two hours on the day when flaking is most intense.

Crusting

At times, due to the sensitivity of certain areas of the skin, a small crust may occur or excess flaking or more intense reddening than expected when the face mask (Cosmelan 1) is removed. This must not cause concern as it only means that the treatment has been more intense in that area. The procedure to follow is simply, not to apply Cosmelan 2 on the skin of the area where the incident has occurred and wait until it has totally regenerated. Once this has been achieved, it is recommendable to start the application in that area, on alternate days.

When do I see the effect of the Cosmelan treatment?

After flaking stage the skin appears healthy and luminous and the marks begin to fade. By continuous use of Cosmelan 2 Skin rejuvenation and clearing of discoloration continues to improve. After two to three months into treatment you have to learn how to maintain the skin color and how to avoid recurrent discoloration.

Make-Up:

From the day following the start of the treatment, the patient can apply make up perfectly. If the skin is hot and red, the patient may prefer a loose powder.

Facial Cleanser:

Wash face twice a day / or as much as necessary / massage gently, rinse with water.

Milk Cleansers:

Clean face twice a day / or as much as necessary / apply to face and neck using the fingertips, massaging gently in a circular motion.

The milk cleanser will remove the emulsion using cotton wool or a cosmetic pad.

Facial Tonic:

Apply a small amount to your face with a cotton swab twice a day, or as necessary. Use a cosmetic pad and apply to face and neck with gentle movements over the entire surface. Wait a few moments to allow complete absorption before applying cream. Apply a thin layer daily all over face and neck, mask style, with a light circular movement, using the table above.

Cosmelan 2:

Apply a thin layer daily all over face and neck, mask style, with a light circular movement, using the table above.