Melasma
Melasma is a hormonally-driven form of pigmentation that shows up as broad, symmetrical, patchy discoloration — most often on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. Unlike sun spots, it's triggered by hormones and heat as much as UV, which makes it more prone to recurrence and slower to treat.
Book a Free ConsultationA relaxed, no-pressure skin assessment — there's no obligation to book treatment that day.
Understanding the cause
Hormonal Trigger
Pregnancy, birth control, and hormonal shifts can trigger melanin-producing cells to become overactive in broad, symmetrical patches.
Heat & UV Together
Unlike simple sun spots, melasma is aggravated by heat and visible light, not just UV — which is why it can worsen even with sunscreen alone.
A Recurring Pattern
Melasma tends to fade and return with hormonal or seasonal changes, which is why it's treated as an ongoing condition rather than a one-time fix.
Facts about Melasma
Sunscreen Alone Isn't Enough
Because heat and visible light contribute too, physical barriers (hats, shade) matter alongside SPF.
It's Not the Same as Sun Spots
Melasma is broader, patchier, and hormonally driven — treating it like an isolated sun spot often under-treats it.
It Can Return
Because triggers are hormonal, melasma can resurface even after successful treatment — maintenance is part of managing it long-term.
Gentle, Consistent Treatment Wins
Aggressive treatment can actually worsen melasma by triggering more inflammation — a slower, steadier approach is usually more effective.
These treatments favour a gentler, more consistent approach suited to melasma's hormonal triggers.
Diamond Infusion Program
A gentler infusion-based option that supports even tone without the inflammation risk of more aggressive treatments.
Tranexamic Acid HA Skin Booster
Tranexamic acid is one of the few ingredients specifically studied for melasma, delivered here as a hydrating micro-injection.
Exosome Skin Booster
A more intensive skin-quality booster for melasma that hasn't responded fully to gentler options.
Top questions about melasma
Why does my melasma keep coming back?
Because it's hormonally triggered, melasma can resurface with pregnancy, birth control changes, or even heat exposure — ongoing maintenance is normal, not a sign treatment failed.
Is melasma treatment safe during pregnancy?
Confirm with clinicians — many treatments are deferred during pregnancy given the hormonal drivers involved.
Why can't I just use a strong laser to remove it?
Aggressive energy-based treatments can trigger more inflammation and worsen melasma — gentler, consistent approaches tend to work better.
How long does treatment take to show results?
Confirm typical timeline with clinicians — melasma generally responds more slowly than sun-induced spots.
Let's build a melasma management plan.
Melasma responds best to a steady, consistent approach — book a consultation to get started.
A relaxed, no-pressure skin assessment — there's no obligation to book treatment that day.
Book a Free Consultation
Melasma treatment in Vancouver requires a different approach than typical sun spot removal, since melasma is triggered by hormones and heat as much as by UV exposure. At Kerrisdale Skin Medical, we favor gentler, more consistent treatments — like tranexamic acid skin boosters and Diamond Infusion — over aggressive lasers that can risk worsening inflammation, with more intensive boosters available for cases that need it. Because melasma tends to recur with hormonal changes, our approach treats it as an ongoing condition to manage rather than a single problem to permanently erase.
