Melasma is not simply another form of sun damage.
Melasma is often influenced by hormones, heat, ultraviolet light, visible light, inflammation, genetics, and skin type. Because aggressive treatment may sometimes worsen it, management requires restraint, long-term planning, and careful product selection.
Why This Happens
Melasma is a complex pigmentary condition driven by a combination of hormonal influences, sun exposure, and heat, which stimulate melanocytes to deposit excess pigment. It can sit in the surface layers, deeper in the skin, or both, and telling melasma apart from ordinary sun spots genuinely matters, because the same aggressive laser that clears a sunspot can inflame melasma and drive the pigment deeper. That sensitivity is exactly why melasma tends to be chronic and recurrent, and why a conservative, well-monitored approach paired with diligent sun protection matters far more than intensity.
When Another Approach May Be Better
Every option here is deliberately restrained. Gentle Chemical Peels ease pigment from the surface over time, low-energy PicoWay is dosed cautiously so it does not provoke the pigment, and physician-guided Medical Facials help keep the skin calm and healthy between treatments, so the emphasis stays on gradual progress rather than force.
With melasma, pace matters as much as method. We tend to begin with the gentlest effective step, protect the skin between visits, and increase intensity only if your skin continues to tolerate treatment well.
Chemical Peels
Gentle, tailored peels that can help lighten pigment gradually while respecting sensitive, reactive skin.
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Low-energy picosecond treatments that may help address pigment with a measured, cautious approach.
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Physician-guided facials designed to support brightening and maintain skin health between treatments.
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Choosing the gentlest step that still makes progress.
Melasma calls for a careful, individualized strategy, so Dr. Gerrish and our Clinical Team begin by studying the pattern and depth of your pigment, your skin type, and the triggers that tend to set it off. We generally favor gentle, gradual options such as tailored Chemical Peels, low-energy PicoWay, and physician-guided Medical Facials, choosing the least aggressive path that still supports progress. Your hormonal history, sun exposure, and daily habits all inform the plan, and we will be candid that managing melasma responsibly matters more than pushing intensity.
- Anatomy
- Skin quality
- Skin type
- Lifestyle
- Downtime tolerance
- Medical history
- Long-term goals
- Budget, when appropriate
Honest expectations, real improvement.
We will never promise a specific outcome, because honest results depend on real factors:
Frequently Asked Questions
Begin with a conversation.
A consultation helps determine which options belong in your plan and what may be more appropriate.
Continue Learning
PicoWay
See how a picosecond laser may be used carefully for stubborn pigment.
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Understand how melasma differs from sun-related pigment and why the distinction matters.
Learn MoreThe Consultation Experience
See how a physician evaluation determines where to begin and which approach fits your anatomy and goals.
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