It often appears in a pattern
Melasma commonly forms symmetrical patches across the cheeks, forehead, upper lip or jawline rather than isolated, sharply defined spots.
What We Treat
Melasma Treatment Planning
A conservative approach for Delray Beach, Boca Raton and nearby Palm Beach County
Melasma is a recurring pigment condition that often appears as symmetrical brown or gray-brown patches on the face. It should not automatically be treated like ordinary sun spots. The plan usually begins with daily pigment protection and home care, then adds carefully selected procedures only when they make sense.
Melasma can resemble other forms of pigmentation. When the diagnosis is uncertain, the pattern is unusual or the skin is not responding as expected, dermatology evaluation may be the appropriate next step.
Long-term control
Conservative treatment selection
Maintenance matters
Melasma is a control problem, not a spot-removal problem.
Improvement can be meaningful, but recurrence is common when light exposure, irritation or other triggers are not managed.
Melasma Is Not Ordinary Sun Damage
The pattern, triggers and recurrence risk change the treatment plan
Someone can have both sun spots and melasma at the same time. The goal of the consultation is to identify the dominant pattern before selecting a procedure.
More than one trigger may be involved
Sunlight, visible light, pregnancy, hormonal medications, family tendency and irritation can all be part of the history. Not every trigger can be removed completely.
Recurrence is common
A treatment may lighten visible pigment without eliminating the tendency to produce it. Long-term maintenance can be as important as the initial procedure.
This is why the melasma page is separate from our
Brown Spots & Sun Damage
page. The concerns can look similar, but they should not automatically be treated the same way.
Why More Aggressive Is Not Always Better
Melasma can darken after the wrong treatment strategy
Melasma-prone skin can respond to irritation and energy with additional pigment. That does not mean every laser, light treatment or peel is off limits. It means the device, settings, timing and supporting home care matter.
We do not automatically direct someone with facial pigment into IPL or strong resurfacing. When a procedure is used, it should be part of a broader plan rather than a one-time attempt to “erase” the patches.
A conservative plan can take longer, but it is often more aligned with the long-term nature of melasma and the need to avoid unnecessary inflammation.
The Foundation of Treatment
Procedures work better when the daily plan is doing its job
Melasma treatment is usually layered. Daily protection and appropriate home care come first. A procedure is considered after the skin, triggers and current routine are reviewed.
Protect against UV and visible light
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, consistent reapplication and a tinted formula containing iron oxides may be discussed because visible light can contribute to persistent pigmentation.
Reduce unnecessary irritation
Burning, stinging, over-exfoliation and aggressive home devices can create inflammation. A gentler routine may be part of preventing additional discoloration.
Coordinate topical treatment when needed
Prescription or pigment-control topicals may be an important part of treatment. When medical management is required, it should be supervised by an appropriately licensed provider.
Daily Protection and Maintenance
The treatment done at home influences the treatment done in the office
Melasma often improves gradually. Consistency usually matters more than a short period of aggressive treatment followed by no maintenance.
A practical daily baseline
The exact routine should match your skin, but the baseline often includes gentle cleansing, appropriate pigment-control products and reliable sun and visible-light protection.
A tinted sunscreen can be useful because iron oxides provide visible-light protection in addition to the ultraviolet protection supplied by the sunscreen’s active ingredients.
- Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher Apply enough product and reapply during meaningful outdoor exposure, sweating or swimming.
- Consider tinted protection with iron oxides This may help reduce visible-light exposure that can contribute to facial pigmentation.
- Avoid intentional tanning A tan can darken melasma and may delay or change the timing of an in-office procedure.
- Stop products that repeatedly burn or sting Persistent irritation can make pigment control more difficult.
- Expect maintenance Improvement does not mean the underlying tendency to form melasma has permanently disappeared.
What the Process May Look Like
A staged plan is easier to evaluate and adjust
We do not need to add every possible treatment at once. A staged approach helps show which part of the plan is helping and whether the skin is tolerating it.
Review the pattern
Discuss onset, triggers, prior treatment, current products and recent sun exposure.
Stabilize the routine
Improve daily protection and reduce unnecessary irritation before escalating treatment.
Add a procedure
Consider Aerolase, a selected peel or another provider-directed option when appropriate.
Maintain the improvement
Continue protection and adjust the plan when seasonal exposure or other triggers change.
A Note About Skin-Lightening Products
Do not treat melasma with unknown or unregulated products
Products sold online or imported as “skin lighteners” may contain undeclared ingredients or drug ingredients that should not be used without appropriate supervision.
Prescription hydroquinone and combination medications are medical treatments. They should be used under the direction of a licensed health care professional rather than purchased as an unverified over-the-counter lightening cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Melasma, procedures and long-term control
Is melasma the same as sun damage?
No. Sun exposure can trigger and worsen melasma, but melasma often appears as recurring, symmetrical facial patches and may involve hormonal and genetic factors. Ordinary sun spots are usually more isolated and may respond differently to treatment.
Can melasma be permanently cured?
Melasma is often a chronic, recurring condition. Treatment can lighten visible pigmentation and improve overall tone, but maintenance and ongoing protection are usually necessary. No responsible plan should promise permanent removal.
Can IPL make melasma worse?
IPL is not automatically appropriate for melasma. Energy, irritation and treatment-related inflammation can sometimes contribute to rebound pigmentation in susceptible skin. We first determine whether the concern appears to be melasma, sun damage or a mixed pattern.
Does Aerolase treat melasma?
Aerolase may be considered as one component of a broader melasma plan for selected clients. It does not replace daily photoprotection, topical management or maintenance, and it is not automatically the correct treatment for every facial pigment concern.
Are chemical peels safe for melasma?
Carefully selected superficial peels may be used in some melasma plans. Peel type, strength, skin tone and current irritation matter because an overly aggressive peel can cause inflammation and additional pigmentation.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Melasma usually improves gradually rather than immediately. The timeline depends on how long the pigmentation has been present, the depth and pattern, the treatment selected, daily protection and how consistently the plan is followed.
What sunscreen is best for melasma?
A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is a practical baseline. Tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides may offer additional visible-light protection, which can be useful for melasma-prone skin.
Should I book a laser treatment or a consultation?
Start with a consultation. Melasma can resemble sun damage and other pigmentation concerns, and the safest plan depends on the pattern, skin tone, recent sun exposure and products currently in use.
Start With the Pattern
Build a plan that respects how melasma actually behaves
Tell us where the pigmentation appears, when it began, what makes it darker and what you have already tried. We will help you determine which next steps are worth discussing.
Melasma treatment planning
Start with a pigment review.
Request Consult