Melasma treatment,
built for your skin tone.
Melasma is stubborn, and aggressive treatment often makes it worse. Our approach is steady and careful: calm the pigment, protect the skin, then add in-office treatment only when your skin is ready for it.
Melasma is a chronic skin condition that causes patchy brown or gray-brown areas, usually on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. Hormones, heat and sun trigger it, and it's more common in darker skin. PSRx starts with topical suppression and sun protection, adds in-office treatment carefully, and plans for maintenance because melasma can return.
Melasma,
or something else?
Melasma has look-alikes, and each one is treated differently. Knowing which you have is the first step.
Melasma can look like other pigment problems, so we confirm what you have before recommending treatment.
Who it's for —
and who it isn’t.
Your provider confirms what's right for you at your consultation.
We look closely
before we treat.
Melasma has look-alikes, so we confirm the type and the triggers before any treatment.
Melasma on darker skin
needs a lighter touch.
Melasma is more common in skin of color, and darker skin reacts to heat by making more pigment. That's why PSRx avoids aggressive approaches and builds every plan around your Fitzpatrick type. Other providers train with us to learn exactly this.
- ✦Topical suppression and sun protection come before any heat-based treatment.
- ✦Precise Peels are custom-blended for melanin-rich skin.
- ✦In-office treatments are chosen and paced to avoid rebound darkening.
- ✦Our team trains other providers in pigment-safe care for Fitzpatrick IV–VI.
A steady plan
that protects your progress.
Most plans combine daily home care with in-office treatment, adjusted as your skin responds.
From consultation
to lasting results.
Melasma FAQ.
Can melasma be removed forever?
No, melasma can't be removed forever, but it can be greatly improved and kept under control. It's a chronic condition that can return with sun, heat or hormonal changes. Most people do best with a maintenance routine of sunscreen and home care after their in-office plan.
What causes melasma?
Melasma is caused by a mix of hormones, sun and visible light, heat and genetics. Pregnancy and hormonal birth control are common triggers, which is why it's sometimes called the mask of pregnancy. It's also more common in women and in darker skin types.
Is laser safe for melasma on dark skin?
Laser can be used for melasma on darker skin, but only with great care, because heat can make melasma worse. At PSRx, laser is never the first step. We start with topical suppression and sun protection, then decide whether a carefully chosen laser makes sense for your skin.
Can I treat melasma while pregnant?
In-office melasma treatment is usually postponed during pregnancy and nursing, and some skincare ingredients should be avoided. Gentle care and daily sun protection still matter a lot. Your provider will tell you what's safe now and plan in-office treatment for later, once you're ready. We'll go over what applies to you at consultation.
How long does melasma treatment take?
Most people see gradual improvement over a few months of consistent treatment. Melasma responds slowly, and pushing it with aggressive treatment often backfires. We set realistic expectations at consultation and adjust your plan as your skin responds. Most plans also include a maintenance phase to keep results.
Why does my melasma come back every summer?
Melasma often returns in summer because UV, visible light and heat all stimulate pigment. Even short daily exposure can undo months of progress. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapplied through the day, plus a hat outdoors, is the most effective way to keep summer flares down.
right diagnosis.
Book a consultation at our South Loop clinic, or take the free 60-second Skin Assessment and our clinical team will build your personalized skin summary.