The vibe of clear, spotless skin is unmatched. Any kind of patch can make a person feel self-conscious. Brown or grey patches usually show up uninvited without any apparent reason, are often darker than the rest of your face, and tend to appear on your cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or nose. Once they appear, they’re likely to stick around. This is often a condition called melasma. Melasma is a common form of pigmentation that can be stubborn and tough to treat, especially without the right care.
Don’t worry you’re not the only one going through this. Many people deal with the same thing. Evon Aesthetic professionals offer a wide range of treatments to manage and effectively treat melasma. Let’s break it all down for you, so you no longer have to hide behind filters or makeup.
What Exactly Is Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes discolored patches, mainly on the face. The skin appears uneven and blotchy. Though men can get it too, women are much more prone—especially during pregnancy or when using birth control pills. Melasma often shows up on parts of the face that get the most sun exposure, like the cheeks, nose bridge, forehead, upper lip, and chin.
But it’s not just the face—areas like the forearms, neck, and shoulders can be affected too, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Melasma isn’t caused by one thing. It’s usually triggered by a mix of factors: skin tone, excess sun exposure, hormonal changes during pregnancy or contraceptives, genetics, and certain medications or skincare products that make your skin more sensitive.
In short, even if you’re doing everything “right,” melasma can still sneak up.
How Do Dermatologists Diagnose It?
It’s mostly a visual diagnosis. A dermatologist at Evon Aesthetics will carefully examine your skin under normal light and may also use a special tool like a Wood’s lamp for a closer look. This analysis, with or without the tool, helps determine how deep the pigment has gone into your skin. Understanding the depth of melasma is crucial for deciding the right treatment plan.
How Is Melasma Treated?
When it comes to treating melasma, remember—there is no one-size-fits-all cure. Melasma cannot be treated with monotherapy alone. It doesn’t respond well to just one treatment. That’s why doctors usually rely on a combination of different approaches to manage it. But with a good dermatologist and the right combination of care, it can absolutely improve.
Basic Measures
Before moving towards any specific treatment for melasma—like creams, pills, or procedures. Dermatologists often suggest some basic steps to get the skin ready and prevent things from getting worse.
These basic measures usually include:
- Wearing sunscreen (SPF 50+, preferably with iron oxide) every single day (even indoors!)
- Wearing broad-brimmed hats to avoid direct sun exposure
- Using gentle skincare products instead of harsh chemical-containing products
- Avoiding triggers like heat, stress, or hormonal medications if possible
Topical Treatments
Using a mix of hydroquinone, tretinoin, and a moderate-strength steroid cream is considered one of the most effective treatments for lightening skin. This combination is known to improve or clear up about 60–80% of skin issues.
Other creams or treatments—like azelaic acid, kojic acid, cysteamine cream, ascorbic acid, glutathione, vitamin C, and soybean extract—are also used to treat these skin issues. They can be applied individually, but are often more effective when used together.
In some cases, a combination cream (often known as triple therapy) is recommended. This type of cream helps fade dark spots and gradually evens out the skin tone.
Oral Medication (in stubborn cases)
Oral treatments are being explored as a promising option for managing melasma, especially when topical creams alone are not effective. One such medication is tranexamic acid, which works by blocking the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. This action helps reduce the production of prostaglandins and other substances that contribute to melasma. While hydroquinone has long been the go-to topical treatment for evening out skin tone, it is no longer available over the counter, leading many to seek alternative options.
Some oral and topical combinations now include ingredients like retinol and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and improve pigmentation. Dermatologists may also suggest gentler alternatives such as vitamin C, kojic acid, or azelaic acid for those with sensitive skin. Research on newer oral medications continues, offering hope for more effective and long-lasting solutions. Prescribed medicines only from a licensed dermatologist must be taken to avoid any kind of side effects.
Advanced Skin Procedures for Treating Melasma
If your melasma is deep or persistent, dermatologists may advise choosing advanced skin procedures like:
Microdermabrasion
In the microdermabrasion technique, a tiny hand-held gadget is used to gently remove the top layer of your skin (called the epidermis). This simple skin treatment helps to get rid of dead skin cells, making your skin look smoother, fresher, and more even-toned.
Synthetic Peel
Synthetic peels are used to reduce dark patches caused by melasma. One of the ingredients mostly used in these peels is tranexamic acid. It gently blocks a process in the body that produces substances like prostaglandins, which can lead to melasma. Researchers are also testing new oral medicines that may help treat melasma more effectively in the future.
Laser Therapy
In Laser therapy treatment a strong, focused beam of light is used to treat melasma. Unlike normal light treatments, a focused wavelength light to targeting and breaking down dark pigment in the skin without harming the surrounding areas.
LED Light Therapy
LED (light-emitting diode) light therapy is a gentle and non-invasive skin treatment to treat melasma. By sending different colors of LED lights into the deeper layers of the skin it significantly reduces dark spots, calming inflammation, or boosting collagen production—making the skin look healthier and more even over time.
Dermabrasion
In Dermabrasion treatment, the top layers of the skin are gently removed, almost like sanding the skin where dark patches appear. As the skin heals, new skin forms with a more even tone, helping reduce the appearance of melasma. Right after the treatment, the skin may look red and swollen, but as it heals, new skin grows back, usually looking smoother. Keep in mind that Dermabrasion does not go well with all skin types, but it should be done by an experienced dermatologist.
Keep in mind before going towards choosing treatment for melasma that the wrong treatment, or an unskilled provider, can actually make melasma worse. Always go to a trusted clinic.
What to Expect After Treatment?
First, it is vital that expectations are based on reality. Second, be patient, as treating melasma takes time. Visible improvement usually takes 2–3 months, but in some cases, it can take up to a year. Staying consistent with your routine is key—use sunscreen daily, avoid excessive sun exposure when possible, follow your skincare plan, and attend follow-up appointments to help prevent melasma from coming back. Avoid picking at your skin, as this can cause further discoloration. Also, moisturize regularly to support smooth healing and maintain healthy skin.
How Much Does Melasma Treatment Cost in Islamabad?
The price of Melasma treatment depends on what treatment your dermatologist suggests. On average, melasma treatment in Islamabad ranges from PKR 6000 to 35000 per session. Some advanced options, like laser therapy may cost more.
FAQs
Can melasma be removed permanently?
Melasma can be managed and lightened with proper treatment and care but it cannot be removed permanently, Triggers like sun exposure or hormonal changes come back melasma.
What is the best vitamin to remove melasma?
Vitamin C is considered one of the best vitamins for treating melasma. Due to its antioxidant properties it reduces dark spots, and block melanin production. Other helpful vitamins to treat melasma are Vitamin E, Vitamin A (retinoids), and Vitamin B3 (niacinamide).
What is the fastest way to treat melasma?
The fastest way to treat melasma is by using prescription creams (like hydroquinone), sun protection, and dermatologist-approved treatments like peels or lasers.