Dr. John D. Stover DDS, MD, PhD
TRIPLE BOARD CERTIFIED:
Diplomate, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Diplomate, National Board of Dental Anesthesiology
Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii
Most comprehensive cosmetic surgical procedures in Hawaii
SKIN TREATMENTS
Melasma
Sun exposure can trigger melasma because the pigment-producing cells in the skin are stimulated by ultraviolet light from the sun.
Melasma generally occurs when estrogen and/or progesterone stimulate pigmentation hormones, causing dark brown or grey, irregular sized patches on the face. The condition, also called chloasma or the mask of pregnancy, occurs most frequently in darker skinned women, but can also occur in lighter-skinned people of both sexes.
Melasma is primarily seen among women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills or using hormone replacement therapy. In general, the patches on the skin appear over time, and at first may resemble small moles. The patches are located on the cheeks, forehead and nose, and their irregularity in shape indicates the condition.
A variety of treatment plans for Melasma are available at Dr. Stover's Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii. Dr. Stover may recommend Obagi NuDerm for your treatment along with a skin-lightening agent.
Dr. Stover may prescribe a cream with a higher concentration of hydroquinone or creams containing tretinoin, corticosteroids, or glycolic acid, which may be combined with hydroquinone to enhance the skin-lightening effect.
Along with prescribed skin care plan, Dr. Stover recommends daily sunscreen use. This is essential because even when it is cloudy outside, the sun's UV rays can penetrate the skin. Sunscreen also must be worn when most of the day will be spent indoors because even a brief walk, driving, or sitting next to a window can expose unprotected skin to enough sunlight to trigger melasma.
A chemical peel, facials, microdermabrasion, or laser surgery also may be used to treat melasma. It may take several months to see substantial improvement.
Numerous skin care treatments are available in Hawaii through Dr. John D. Stover's Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii. Dr. Stover is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with offices in Kona, Hilo and Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. He is a fellow of both the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Stover continually updates his knowledge, skills and practice in the latest surgical and non-surgical procedures, which has made him one of Hawaii's top-performing cosmetic surgeons
