Melasma
Hormonal pigmentation lightened without rebound.
Melasma produces symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches across the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. It is driven by hormones, ultraviolet and visible light, and heat — which is why it recurs so readily each summer.
- None
- Downtime
- 6–10 wks
- First results
- 4–6
- Sessions
- Year-round
- Care
- Tyrosinase-inhibiting topicals
- Oral tranexamic acid after risk screening
- Gentle medical peels
- Selected energy-based treatment
Diagnosed first, treated second.
It is a chronic condition of over-active melanocytes rather than a stain to be removed. Aggressive lasering makes it worse. Controlled suppression, pigment-blocking therapy and disciplined photoprotection deliver lasting results.
- 01Tyrosinase-inhibiting topicals
- 02Oral tranexamic acid after risk screening
- 03Gentle medical peels
- 04Selected energy-based treatment
- 05Broad-spectrum & visible-light protection
- Symmetrical facial pigmentation
- Pigment worsening in pregnancy or on the pill
- Patches that darken every summer
- Previous laser that worsened the pigment
- Darker skin phototypes needing safe options
How the treatment works
A sequence, not a single appointment — each step informs the next.
- 01
Depth assessment
Wood's lamp examination establishes whether pigment is epidermal, dermal or mixed.
- 02
Trigger control
Hormonal contribution, heat exposure and light protection are addressed first.
- 03
Suppression
Tyrosinase-inhibiting topicals, selected topical therapy and gentle procedures may lighten the pigment. Oral tranexamic acid is off-label and requires an individual clotting-risk assessment.
- 04
Maintenance
A year-round protective regimen prevents the seasonal rebound.
Results measured, not promised.
What to expect
- 01Patches visibly lightened
- 02More even overall tone
- 03Rebound after summer prevented
- 04No pigment damage from over-treatment
- 05A sustainable maintenance routine
Results, treatment timing and recovery vary by diagnosis and individual factors. This page is educational and does not replace a medical consultation or guarantee an outcome. Suitability and alternatives are confirmed during assessment.
Begin with a diagnosis,
not a guess.
Share a few details and the clinic will reply with available consultation times for melasma — one-to-one with Dr. Arely.
- Response
- Within 24 hours
- Consultation
- One-to-one, 45 min
- Assessment
- Trichoscopy included
- Location
- Dr. Arely Clinic
Frequently asked
It can be controlled and greatly lightened, but the tendency remains and needs maintenance.
Selected energy-based treatments may be considered cautiously. Heat and overly aggressive treatment can worsen or trigger recurrent pigment, particularly in deeper skin tones.
It is essential but insufficient alone — tinted, visible-light-blocking protection works best.
Often partially, though residual pigment usually needs treatment.