Melasma Treatment

Do you notice patchy, brownish discoloration on your cheeks, forehead, or upper lip? Is your skin tone uneven despite using sunscreen or skincare products?

You might be dealing with melasma—a common skin condition that causes persistent dark patches on the face, primarily affecting women. It often worsens with sun exposure, hormonal changes, or improper skincare. 

At Asteria Aesthetics Bhopal, we provide personalized melasma treatments that target the root cause, restoring clear, radiant, and even-toned skin under the care of Dr. Apoorv Loya.

Common Causes of Melasma:

Melasma develops when melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) go into overdrive, often due to a combination of hormonal, genetic, and environmental triggers.

Common contributors include:

• Excessive sun exposure without SPF protection
• Hormonal imbalances (pregnancy, birth control pills, thyroid disorders)
• Genetic predisposition (runs in families or skin of color)
• Heat and light exposure, including infrared from screens or kitchens
• Skincare products or treatments that irritate the skin
• Stress and sleep disruption, which worsen inflammatory pathways

Melasma is not contagious or harmful, but it significantly impacts confidence and skin appearance if untreated.

What Are the Types of Melasma?

Melasma has three types. They depend on how deep the dark color sits in your skin. Epidermal sits in the top layer. Dermal sits deeper. Mixed has both. Your type decides how well Melasma Treatment works and how long it takes, so doctors check it first.

• Epidermal melasma looks dark brown with a clear edge. It often responds well to treatment.
• Dermal melasma looks light brown or bluish with a blurry edge. It is harder to treat and can take longer to fade.
• Mixed melasma has both brown and bluish patches. It usually responds in part.

According to Cleveland Clinic, 2020, mixed melasma is the most common of the three types.

How Do Doctors Check for Melasma?

A doctor looks closely at your skin and asks about your health, your medicines and your daily habits. Some doctors use a special black light to see how deep the color goes. Other skin problems can look like melasma, so a proper check matters before you start any cream or laser.

Your doctor may also ask about pregnancy, soaps and makeup. They may suggest a thyroid test too, since Cleveland Clinic, 2020 notes that people with melasma are more likely to have thyroid disease.

Which Medicines and Products Can Make Melasma Worse?

Some medicines for seizures, infections, pain and water retention, along with scented soaps, makeup and tanning beds, can make melasma darker. These items react with sunlight or change how your skin makes color. Never stop a medicine on your own. Ask your doctor first. Bring a list of everything you take or use to your visit.

Tell your doctor about these at your first visit.

• Every medicine and supplement you take
• Your soaps, face washes and makeup
• Any use of tanning beds

Treatment Process of Melasma

Melasma requires a layered and sustained treatment plan, combining medical skincare, in-clinic procedures, and long-term skin maintenance.

Skin Assessment & Diagnosis

Description: Dr. Apoorv Loya performs a visual and dermatoscopic skin evaluation to identify the type (epidermal, dermal, or mixed) and rule out other pigmentation disorders.

Result: A customized melasma protocol is created based on severity, skin tone, and treatment history.

Best For: First-time patients or those with long-standing, treatment-resistant melasma.

Medical & Aesthetic Therapy

Description: A mix of prescription creams (hydroquinone, kojic acid, retinoids), oral supplements (antioxidants, tranexamic acid), and in-clinic sessions (chemical peels, low-fluence lasers) are initiated.

Result: Gradual lightening of patches and improved skin uniformity within 4–6 weeks.

Best For: Stubborn or hormonally triggered melasma.

Maintenance & Recurrence Prevention

Description: Patients are educated on long-term melasma management, including sunscreen, lifestyle changes, pigment-safe skincare, and periodic peels or laser sessions.

Result: Long-term pigment control, reduced recurrence, and healthy skin tone.

Best For: All patients seeking sustainable, relapse-free results.

Before And After Your Melasma Treatment at Asteria Aesthetics

Before Your Treatment

Patients often report dullness, facial pigmentation that worsens with heat or sunlight, and poor results from over-the-counter products. Many have tried multiple treatments without consistency or improvement.

During Your Treatment

Clinic sessions are painless and quick. Medical-grade peels or gentle laser sessions are spaced 2–4 weeks apart. Your skin is monitored closely, and topical therapy is adjusted based on response.

After Your Treatment

You’ll see progressive fading of dark patches over 4–8 weeks. Skin becomes clearer, smoother, and more even. Maintenance products help preserve results and prevent relapse.

Benefits of Melasma Treatment

Melasma can’t be “cured,” but it can be very effectively controlled with the right combination of therapy.

Key benefits include:

• Gradual fading of dark facial patches and uneven tone
• Clearer, brighter, and photo-ready complexion
• Fewer breakouts and inflammation in treated areas
• Increased self-confidence with makeup-free skin
• Long-term pigment control and flare-up prevention

What Side Effects Can Melasma Treatment Cause?

Melasma creams can cause dry, red or itchy skin. Peels and lasers done the wrong way can leave darker marks or scars. This is why a skilled doctor and a slow, gentle plan matter. Tell your doctor about any burning, swelling or new dark spots straight away.

According to Cleveland Clinic, 2020, lightening creams with hydroquinone or tretinoin can cause dermatitis, which means red, sore, irritated skin. The same source says peels and lasers should only be done by specialists who have experience treating melasma.

Lifestyle Tips After Melasma Treatment

Your daily routine plays a critical role in managing melasma recurrence:

• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 50+, even indoors
• Reapply sunscreen every 3 hours, especially if sweating or under lights
• Avoid hot water, saunas, and harsh skincare
• Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods (berries, greens, seeds)
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors
• Avoid waxing over pigmented areas
• Stick to your maintenance creams and clinic review schedule

Journey With Asteria Aesthetics Bhopal:

Melasma treatment is a journey, not just a procedure. At Asteria Aesthetics, we walk every step with you.

Consultation

• In-depth history and lifestyle review
• Skin typing, pigmentation mapping, and melasma diagnosis
• Education on realistic expectations and timeframe

Pre Preparation

• Stop DIY products that can irritate the skin
• Avoid parlor facials or peels 1–2 weeks before starting treatment
• Prep skin with gentle cleansers and hydrating serums

Treatment

• Combination of oral therapy, prescription actives, and in-clinic peels or laser
• Regular follow-ups to track response and avoid side effects
• Adjustments in therapy based on seasonal and hormonal factors

Post Procedure Care

• Strict sun avoidance and SPF application
• Soothing creams and pigment blockers
• Ongoing reviews to ensure recurrence prevention

Can You Treat Melasma During Pregnancy?

Melasma often fades by itself within about three months after your baby is born. While you are pregnant, only medicines and creams that are safe in pregnancy should be used. Your doctor will pick these for you. Strong sun protection matters even more during these months.

According to Cleveland Clinic, 2020, between 15% and 50% of pregnant women get melasma. Tell Dr. Apoorv Loya if you are pregnant, planning a baby or breastfeeding before any treatment starts.

Why Choose Asteria Aesthetics?

Melasma requires personalized attention, clinical precision, and long-term care—all of which we specialize in at Asteria Aesthetics Bhopal.

Why patients choose us:

• Led by Dr. Apoorv Loya, an expert in laser and pigmentation therapy
• Multi-modality approach: medical + chemical + technological
• Safe treatment for Indian skin types prone to pigmentation
• Transparent consultation, realistic timelines, and trusted results
• Emphasis on long-term skin health, not just temporary fading

Book Your Appointment with Dr. Apoorv Loya

Frustrated with uneven skin tone or stubborn dark patches?

Book your melasma consultation with Dr. Apoorv Loya at Asteria Aesthetics today. Start your journey toward even-toned, radiant skin with expert care.

Frequently Asked Questions about Melasma Treatment

Q1. What is melasma in skin?

Melasma is a pigmentary condition where dark, symmetrical patches appear on the face—commonly the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip—due to excess melanin production.

Q2. Melasma mean in Hindi?

Melasma को हिंदी में "चेहरे पर झाईयाँ या काले धब्बे" कहा जाता है, जो आमतौर पर हार्मोनल असंतुलन या धूप के कारण होते हैं।

Q3. What is the difference between melasma and pigmentation?

Pigmentation is a broad term for skin discoloration. Melasma is a specific type of pigmentation triggered by hormones and sunlight, usually symmetrical and recurring.

Q4. How to cure melasma from the inside?

While there's no permanent “cure,” internal treatments like oral tranexamic acid, antioxidants, and hormone balancing help reduce melanin production over time.

Q5. How to treat melasma on the face naturally?

Natural tips include sun protection, eating antioxidant-rich foods, using aloe vera gel or licorice extract topically, and avoiding heat and stress. However, for best results, combine these with clinical care.

Q6. How to remove melasma from the face permanently?

Melasma cannot be permanently removed but can be well-controlled with a combination of creams, chemical peels, lasers, and sun protection. Long-term care is key.