How to Get Rid of Melasma

June 20, 2025

Melasma is a condition that causes brownish and bluish gray patches or freckle-like spots on the skin. And while it’s harmless, many search how to get rid of melasma because it affects their appearance and self-confidence.

In this post, we’ll discuss the different types of melasma, their causes, and the available treatments you can try. We also shared some professional tips on how to prevent melasma before it develops.

What is Melasma

If you’ve noticed dark, patchy spots on your face, especially on your cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lips, you might have melasma. It’s a common skin condition that causes brown or grayish-brown patches due to excess production of melanin.

Melasma usually affects women in their 20s or 40s, but in rare cases, it can also develop among men. Aside from that, melasma is more common in people with darker skin tones.

While anyone can get melasma, women who have hormonal changes, like pregnancy or using birth control, are at higher risk. This is also the reason why melasma is also referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”.

Melasma typically appear symmetrically on the face. You may get it on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip, but it can sometimes show up on other sun-exposed areas like your forearms. And although it’s not harmful or contagious, melasma is stubborn and always don’t respond to treatment very well.

Three Types of Melasma

Melasma comes in three main types: epidermal, dermal, and mixed. Knowing which type you have is crucial in choosing the right treatment for the best results.

Epidermal Melasma

Epidermal melasma affects the outermost layer of your skin called the epidermis. The pigment builds up near the surface, so the dark patches look clearly defined and usually brown or tan. Because the pigment is closer to the surface, treatments like topical creams, chemical peels, and laser therapy can give you substantial results.

Dermal Melasma

Dermal melasma occurs deeper in your skin or in the dermis layer. The pigment here appears blue-gray or muddy because of how light scatters through the skin. Also, this type is tougher to treat since the pigment is deeper and less accessible than epidermal melasma.

For this, you’ll need stronger treatments such as certain lasers or professional procedures. It’s important that you set realistic expectations as results can be slower and less visible.

Mixed Melasma

Mixed melasma means you have pigment in both the epidermis and dermis layers of your skin. This combination makes it the most challenging type to treat.

You’ll often need a combination of treatments targeting both skin layers, like topical agents with laser or light therapies.

What Causes Melasma

There’s a long list of potential melasma causes as well as several risk factors. Here are the most common culprits:

1. Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is the biggest factor in causing and worsening melasma. Here’s what happens:

UV Rays and Pigmentation

When UV rays from the sun hit your skin, they stimulate melanocytes or the cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin color. This occurs because your skin produces more melanin to protect itself from UV damage.

In melasma, this pigment production goes into overdrive in certain areas, causing dark patches to form on your skin. The more time you spend in the sun without protection, the more your melanocytes get triggered, making melasma worse.

Targeted Darkening

The dark patches in melasma don’t appear randomly. UV rays cause targeted darkening, meaning certain areas of your skin produce extra pigment while others stay normal.

This is why melasma shows up as distinct, uneven spots rather than an overall tan. These patches often appear symmetrically on your cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip, or the areas most exposed to sunlight. Take note that even brief sun exposure can reactivate or deepen these spots, so consistent sun

2. Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes are the second most common cause of melasma since it directly affects how your skin produces pigment. Here’s how it occurs:

Influence on Pigmentation

Hormones like estrogen and progesterone play a key role in melanin production. When these hormone levels rise or fluctuate, they stimulate melanocytes (the pigment-producing cells) to work harder. This makes your skin produce extra melanin in certain areas, causing the dark patches typical of melasma.

Pregnancy Mask

If you’re pregnant, you might notice melasma developing on your face, often called the “mask of pregnancy.” During pregnancy, your estrogen and progesterone levels increases, which boosts melanin production in spots like your cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip. Sometimes this fades after childbirth, but if you still get sun exposure or other triggers, your melasma may linger.

Oral Contraceptives

If you take birth control pills, the synthetic hormones in them can affect your natural hormonal balance, causing melasma to appear or worsen. If you see dark patches after starting oral contraceptives, it could be related to these hormonal changes. Talking with your doctor about switching pills or methods might help reduce your pigmentation.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially during menopause, can raise your estrogen and progesterone levels. This increase may trigger melasma or worsen existing dark spots by boosting pigment production. When you notice new or darker patches while on HRT, you can talk to your doctor about possible options.

3. Genetic Predisposition

If melasma runs in your family, your skin may be naturally more prone to producing extra pigment. How your skin reacts to sunlight and hormones is partly inherited, meaning some people’s skin darkens more easily or unevenly.

Family History

Yes, melasma is inheritable. Having immediate family members with melasma suggest that your skin may have inherited traits making it prone to overproducing pigment under certain triggers. Knowing your family history helps you understand your risk and take preventive steps earlier.

Skin Response

Your skin type influences how strongly you react to melasma triggers like hormonal changes or sun exposure. Some people’s skin produces melanin more easily when exposed to these factors, leading to melasma. For example, if your skin tends to tan easily or darken after minor irritation, you might have a higher risk for melasma.

Ethnic Background

People with darker skin tones, such as those of Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Mediterranean descent, are more prone to melasma. This doesn’t mean you will definitely get it, but your skin tone makes you more sensitive to potential causes of melasma.

4. Medication

Certain medications can increase your risk of melasma by making your skin more sensitive to sunlight or increased pigment production. Drugs like some antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and diuretics can cause photosensitivity, making your skin react strongly to UV rays.

5. Cosmetic and Skincare Products

Some cosmetic and skincare products can worsen melasma by irritating your skin or increasing sensitivity to sunlight. Harsh ingredients like strong acids, fragrances, or exfoliants can trigger hyperpigmentation. Some products also make skin more vulnerable to UV damage, even with sunscreen.

6. Medical Conditions

Medical conditions can contribute to melasma by affecting your skin’s pigment production or hormonal balance. Hypothyroidism, for example, is often linked to melasma because it disrupts hormone levels. Other hormonal disorders and health issues that impact pigment regulation may also increase your risk.

7. Heat and Friction

Heat and friction worsen melasma by increasing pigment production. For example, heat from showers, cooking, or warm environments darkens patches. You should also watch out for friction from tight clothes or frequent face touching that can irritate and worsen melasma on its early stages.

8. Emotional Stress

Emotional stress can worsen melasma by disrupting your hormonal balance and increasing inflammation. High stress levels trigger your body to produce hormones that boost pigment production, making dark patches more noticeable.

9. LED Screens

Blue light from LED screens may contribute to melasma by stimulating pigment production in your skin. Although research is still limited, long exposure to screens on phones, computers, and TVs might worsen your dark patches.

10. Menopause

As estrogen and progesterone levels drop and fluctuate during menopause, your skin may produce more pigment in certain areas. This makes dark patches like melasma more likely to appear or return during menopause.

Melasma of Face

Melasma commonly appears on your face, especially on the forehead, nose, cheeks, and upper lip. These areas are more exposed to sunlight, which triggers hyperpigmentation. Also, these patches usually have an uneven look and appear symmetrically on both sides of your face.

Melasma Mustache

Melasma can also show up as a dark patch above your upper lip, often called the “melasma mustache.” The patch may look like a shadow or discoloration and can be challenging to treat.

Pregnancy Melasma

Pregnancy melasma, also known as the “mask of pregnancy,” occurs due to hormonal changes during gestation. It causes dark patches on your face, especially cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. While it often fades after childbirth, sun exposure can keep it active longer.<

Melasma vs Hyperpigmentation

Melasma is a specific type of hyperpigmentation caused mainly by hormones and sun exposure. Meanwhile, hyperpigmentation is a broader term for any darkening of the skin, which can result from acne scars, injuries, or inflammation.

Melasma vs Sun Spots

While melasma and sun spots are both caused by sunlight exposure, they have distinct differences. Sun spots, also called age spots, are small, flat, brown spots caused by sun damage over time. Unlike melasma, sun spots tend to appear as isolated spots rather than large patches and usually affect older adults.

Melasma vs Freckles

Freckles are small, light brown spots that usually appear in childhood and darken with sun exposure. They are generally uniform and scattered randomly. On the other hand, melasma patches are larger, uneven, and often appear symmetrically on your face.

Melasma on Arms

Although melasma mainly affects your face, it can also appear on your forearms or other sun-exposed areas. Patches on your arms are less common but still linked to sun exposure and sometimes hormones. Protecting these areas from UV rays helps prevent melasma from developing or getting worse.

Melasma Treatment

Although some types of melasma can be challenging to treat, there are several solutions you can explore. Just make sure you set realistic expectations and practice patience since melasma treatments may require multiple sessions before you can see substantial results.

1. Laser Treatments

Laser melasma treatment in North Hollywood is a popular option because it can reach deep into the skin without harming the surface. Still, you should know that there are various types of laser treatments, such as the following:

PicoSure

PicoSure uses ultra-short pulses to break up pigment without overheating your skin. This makes it a good choice if you have sensitive or darker skin because it lowers the risk of inflammation that could worsen melasma.

Fractional

With fractional lasers, your skin will sustain tiny controlled injuries to encourage new skin growth and collagen production. This helps remove pigmented layers and improve discoloration and texture. This treatment works well if your melasma is stubborn but you should only get it from an experienced laser specialist.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Laser

IPL uses broad-spectrum light to target your skin’s pigment and blood vessels. It’s less aggressive and can reduce your mild to moderate melasma patches. If you have darker or sensitive skin, be careful with IPL, as it might cause irritation or worsen melasma.

Q-switch Laser

Q-Switch lasers send strong energy bursts deep into your skin to break up pigment. Many medical spas offer Q-switched laser treatments, such as laser facial, for sun-related skin problems, including melasma. But while effective, this laser carries a higher risk of inflammation or rebound pigmentation if not used carefully.

2. Chemical Peel

Chemical peels can help treat melasma by removing the top layers of your skin, where excess pigment often builds up. This can be your choice of treatment if topical products and other procedures didn’t yield any results.

During a peel, a solution containing acids (like glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid) is applied to your skin to gently exfoliate and promote new, clearer skin growth.

Overall, chemical peels work well for mild to moderate melasma and can improve your skin texture and tone. You may need several sessions spaced weeks apart to see noticeable results, except if you’re getting a deep peel.

Just note that after a peel, your skin will be red and sensitive. Protecting it from the sun is crucial to prevent melasma from returning or worsening.

Also, you should keep in mind that chemical peels are not for everyone. If you have very sensitive or darker skin, some peels might cause irritation or uneven pigmentation. You can always request a consultation with us at Pure Skin Laser Center to know the right type and strength of peel for your skin.

3. Microneedling

Microneedling can help improve melasma by creating tiny, controlled punctures in your skin. These micro-injuries stimulate your skin’s natural healing process, boosting collagen production and encouraging the turnover of pigmented skin cells.

Also, microneedling is often combined with topical treatments, like vitamin C, serums, or lightening agents, to enhance their absorption and effectiveness. The procedure usually requires several sessions for the best results.

You should get microneedling done by a trained professional to minimize risks and get the best outcome for your skin type.

4. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy can help improve melasma by using your own blood’s healing properties. During a PRP treatment, a small amount of your blood is drawn and processed to concentrate platelets. These are the cells that release growth factors to repair and rejuvenate your skin.

When injected or combined with microneedling, PRP stimulates collagen production and skin regeneration to reduce pigmentation and improve your overall skin tone. PRP is natural and generally safe because it uses your own blood, lowering the risk of allergic reactions.

You may need multiple sessions to see substantial improvement with PRP therapy. However, if you have blood disorders or clotting issues, PRP treatments may not be a safe choice for you.

5. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion targets the outermost layer of your skin, where melasma occurs. By exfoliating dead skin cells and, it helps fade epidermal melasma while making your skin tone more even. Take note that since microdermabrasion is only superficial, it’s only effective if you have mild to moderate melasma.

If you have dermal or mixed melasma, you may need to combine microdermabrasion with other treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy.

6. Oral Therapies

Oral treatments can help if all topical procedures didn’t improve your melasma. These medications work from inside your body to help reduce pigmentation and improve skin health. However, it’s crucial to seek the supervision of a licensed medical professional since oral therapies may have contraindications, especially if you’re taking other medications.

Here are some of the oral treatments for melasma you can consider:

Tranexamic acid. This medication helps reduce your melanin production and has shown promising results in lightening melasma when combined with other treatments. However, you’ll need a prescription and medical supervision due to possible side effects like blood clot risks.
Polypodium leucotomos extract. This is a natural supplement derived from a tropical fern containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies found that Polypodium leucotomos can improve melasma severity in women after 12 weeks of use.
Glutathione. Glutathione is a popular antioxidant that many take in tablet form or as IV drips to lighten their complexion. Limited research showed that glutathione has minimal benefits for melasma as an antioxidant, but users should be careful of potential side effects.

How to Prevent Melasma

While melasma isn’t 100% preventable, you can always minimize your risk by following these tips:

Sunscreen

Using sunscreen daily is your best defense against melasma. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to block both UVA and UVB rays. Apply it generously on all exposed skin, even on cloudy days or if you’re indoors near windows. Also, reapply sunscreen every two hours if you’re outside.

Sun Avoidance

Limiting your exposure to direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest, helps prevent melasma. Avoiding sun exposure reduces the chance of triggering melanin overproduction that causes melasma.

Skincare Routine

To avoid worsening your melasma, you should maintain a gentle skincare routine. You should use mild cleansers and moisturizers suited for your skin type while avoiding harsh scrubs, exfoliants, or products strong fragrances. Aside from that, you can incorporate products with vitamin C or niacinamide to brighten your skin and support melasma prevention.

Hormonal Management

Since hormones play a big role in melasma, managing hormonal changes can help prevent it. If you’re taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, you can talk to your doctor about options or alternatives. And during pregnancy, practice extra sun protection and skincare care since your hormone levels fluctuate significantly at this period.

Pregnancy Planning

If you’ve had melasma before or are at risk of developing one, consider planning your pregnancy with melasma prevention in mind. Always use sun protection diligently and consult your healthcare provider about safe skincare products during pregnancy.

Healthy Lifestyle

Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to nourish your skin from within. You should also stay hydrated and clock enough sleep to support skin repair, especially if you’re undergoing melasma treatments.

Other Melasma Home Remedies

If you’re looking for additional ways to manage melasma at home, some natural remedies can complement your preferred treatment. Here are some remedies that many people swear by:

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is known for its soothing and healing properties. When you apply aloe vera gel to your skin, it can help reduce inflammation and irritation that might worsen melasma.

Also, aloe vera contains compounds like aloin, which some studies suggest may help lighten pigmentation by reducing melanin production.

To use aloe vera, you can apply pure gel directly to affected areas daily. While it won’t cure melasma on its own, it can support your skin’s healing and improve overall skin health. Just remember to do a spot test first to see if you have allergies or potential irritations.

Sun Protection

Sun protection remains the most crucial home remedy for melasma. Even if you use creams or supplements, without shielding your skin from UV rays, melasma can worsen or return.

Aside from wearing sunscreen as we’ve discussed earlier, you can also wear hats and sunglasses to block UV rays. You should also seek shade whenever you’re staying outdoors for extended periods.

Overall, combining sun protection with other remedies enhances your chances of controlling melasma effectively.

Conclusion

Melasma can be frustrating and a huge blow to your self-confidence. On the bright side, melasma is harmless and unlikely to progress into a serious skin condition. But if you want to regain your confidence and enhance your look, there are many treatments you can explore in North Hollywood.

If you’re still unsure which treatment suits you, feel free to contact us at Pure Skin Laser Center. You can book a consultation with our licensed aesthetician who will assess your skin condition and recommend the best melasma treatment possible.

Whether you have epidermal, dermal, or mixed melasma, contact us today and let’s help you achieve clearer skin!

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