Melasma
Gentle Solutions for Uneven Skin Tone and Pigmentation
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by brown or gray-brown patches, typically on the face — particularly the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin, and above the upper lip. It is often triggered by sun exposure, hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy), or use of oral contraceptives. While not harmful, melasma can be emotionally distressing, especially due to its visibility.
Melasma is driven by hyperactive melanocytes that deposit excess pigment in response to triggers most people encounter daily — sunlight, heat, hormonal shifts. What sets melasma apart from other pigmentation disorders is its vascular component. Recent research shows that increased blood vessel density beneath melasma patches feeds melanocyte activity. That explains why the condition is so persistent and why treatments targeting pigment alone often fall short.
Why Treat Melasma Professionally?
Melasma is notoriously resistant to self-treatment. Many patients arrive at Claire Derma after cycling through vitamin C serums, kojic acid creams, and aggressive at-home peels with little lasting improvement — and sometimes worse pigmentation than before. Professional management changes the equation.
Treatment Options for Melasma
Chemical Peels
Gentle, targeted peels break up the excess melanin sitting in melasma patches. We use formulations that work without irritating the skin, since harsh approaches often make melasma worse.
Laser Treatments
Low-energy laser passes fragment stubborn melanin clusters that topical products can not reach. The settings are carefully calibrated to treat melasma without triggering a rebound flare.
Skin Brightening Treatments
A combination of medical-grade brightening agents works on multiple layers of the skin to fade melasma patches and even out your overall tone over a course of treatments.
Who Should Seek Treatment?
Anyone experiencing patchy pigmentation on the face or body due to sun exposure or hormonal changes may benefit from treatment. Early diagnosis and sun protection are key to managing melasma effectively.
Melasma affects an estimated 1.5 to 33 percent of populations globally, with prevalence peaking in regions with high sun exposure and among people with Fitzpatrick skin types III through V. Women account for roughly 90 percent of cases, though men develop melasma too — often underdiagnosed because it is seen as a predominantly female condition.
Treatment Steps
01
Consultation
Assessment of pigmentation type and medical history. Your dermatologist conducts a thorough skin assessment using Wood's lamp to determine pigment depth — epidermal, dermal, or mixed. We review your hormonal history, contraceptive use, sun exposure habits, and previous treatments.
02
Custom Treatment Plan
A plan combining topical agents and in-clinic procedures is designed. We begin a preparatory phase lasting two to six weeks, introducing a customised topical regimen — typically a tyrosinase inhibitor combined with a low-strength retinoid and barrier-repair moisturiser. This primes melanocytes, stabilises the skin barrier, and reduces the risk of post-procedural darkening.
03
Procedure & Care
Treatment is applied with precautions to avoid worsening pigmentation. In-clinic treatment sessions are scheduled every three to four weeks over a course of four to eight visits. Depending on your classification, sessions may involve gentle chemical peels using mandelic or lactic acid, low-fluence laser passes, or tranexamic acid mesotherapy.
04
Post-Treatment Protection
Strict sun protection and gentle skincare are advised. After the active treatment phase, we transition to a maintenance protocol designed to prevent relapse. Follow-up visits are scheduled at six and twelve weeks, then quarterly.
Results & Maintenance
Gradual fading of dark patches over 4–8 weeks.
Long-term care and SPF use help prevent recurrence.
Minimal downtime with most treatment options.
Got Questions?We've Got Answers
Find answers to the most common questions about our treatments, procedures, and recovery process. If you can't find what you're looking for, our support team is always here to help.
Melasma can be managed well but may recur. Consistent sun protection and maintenance treatments help control it.
No, melasma is a cosmetic condition and doesn’t indicate an underlying disease.
Yes. We use customized, safe treatments tailored for every skin tone and type.
With proper sun protection and skincare, results can last several months to years.
Yes, makeup can typically be applied the day after most treatments, once any irritation settles.
Melasma is a chronic condition with a strong tendency to recur because the underlying melanocyte hyperactivity never fully resolves — it's managed, not cured. Sun exposure, hormonal changes, heat, and even visible light can reactivate pigment production in previously treated areas. At Claire Derma, we build long-term maintenance plans with ongoing topicals and seasonal adjustments specifically to prevent this relapse cycle.
Laser treatment for melasma is safe when the right device, energy settings, and protocol are used — but the wrong approach can definitely worsen pigmentation. High-energy ablative lasers and IPL carry significant rebound risk for melasma. At Claire Derma, our dermatologists use low-fluence Q-switched lasers at sub-threshold settings specifically validated for melasma, delivered in careful series with adequate intervals between sessions.
Yes. Visible light — particularly the blue-violet spectrum emitted by screens, fluorescent bulbs, and LED lighting — has been shown to stimulate melanocyte activity and worsen melasma. Standard SPF-rated sunscreens don't block visible light effectively. At Claire Derma, we prescribe tinted sunscreens containing iron oxide, which provides a physical barrier against visible light wavelengths.
Some over-the-counter ingredients complement clinical melasma treatment, but others can interfere or cause irritation that triggers rebound pigmentation. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) at stable concentrations offers antioxidant protection and mild brightening and is generally safe to continue. Products containing high-concentration glycolic acid, undiluted lemon extract, or multiple exfoliating actives often do more harm than good when layered with prescription treatments.
Start Your Personalized Skincare Plan
At ClairéDerma, we believe that healthy, radiant skinis the foundation of confidence and well-being. Ledby Dr. Mohna Chauhan, our clinic offers personalized dermatological care tailored to each patient's unique needs. With over a decade ofexperience and more than 3000 successfully treated patients,