Melasma
Updated · SkinWise Clinic
Melasma is a recurring pigmentation disorder, often causing patches on both sides of the face. Hormonal factors and sunlight can contribute. Management uses photoprotection and suitable medical care, sometimes with selected procedures. Improvement is possible, but recurrence is common and laser is not an established cure.
Similar-looking facial pigment can have other causes. A history of onset, pregnancy or hormonal medicines, previous treatment and skin irritation helps the dermatologist assess the pattern.
Melasma needs a sustainable plan. More aggressive treatment can create additional inflammation and pigment changes, so a procedure should have a clear purpose and an explanation of alternatives.
How melasma shows up
- Brown or grey-brown facial patches
- Often a similar distribution on both sides of the face
- Pigmentation that changes over time or recurs
What triggers melasma
- Sunlight, including relevant visible-light exposure
- Hormonal influences, including pregnancy or some hormonal medicines
- Family tendency and individual susceptibility
When to see a dermatologist
Seek assessment when the diagnosis is uncertain, pigment persists or a treatment causes irritation or darkening. An isolated changing, bleeding or unusual lesion needs separate examination.
How melasma is treated at SkinWise
Assessment guides photoprotection, suitable prescriptions and maintenance. A tint containing suitable iron oxides can add visible-light protection for melasma. Peels or lasers need individual consideration because they can provoke pigment changes. Oral medicines are not a self-treatment shortcut.
Services that treat melasma
Evidence behind these choices
- Melasma management: international expert consensus (2026)
Supports photoprotection and supervised medical treatment, with lasers reserved for selected resistant cases. Expert consensus does not establish one treatment sequence for everyone.
- UV and visible-light protection in melasma: randomised trial (2014)
An iron-oxide-containing sunscreen improved outcomes compared with UV-only protection while both groups also used hydroquinone. This supports suitable photoprotection, not sunscreen as a cure.
- Electronic-device blue light and skin: systematic review (2023)
The limited evidence did not identify ordinary device exposure as a pigmentation or melasma hazard. Sunlight and screen exposure should not be treated as equivalent.
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Frequently asked questions
Is melasma caused by computer screens?
Limited current research has not identified ordinary device exposure as a melasma hazard. Sunlight is a different exposure; reducing screen brightness is not an established treatment.
Can melasma return after treatment?
Yes. The plan should include maintenance and reassessment if pigment changes, rather than a promise of permanent clearance.
Should everyone have laser?
No. Current consensus places medical care and photoprotection first, with lasers reserved for selected resistant cases after a risk discussion.
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