What Is Melasma and What Causes It?
Melasma is one of the most complex and, honestly, one of the most emotionally frustrating skin concerns we treat. It shows up as patches of brown or grey-brown discolouration — usually on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin — and is driven by hormonal shifts, sun exposure, heat, genetics, and inflammation.
It’s often called the “pregnancy mask” because pregnancy hormones are one of the most common triggers, but melasma also shows up with birth control use, hormone therapy, thyroid conditions, and simply from cumulative heat and sun exposure over time. It’s more common in women and in those with medium-to-deeper skin tones, and it rarely responds to over-the-counter brightening creams alone, because melasma sits deeper in the skin than surface hyperpigmentation from acne marks or sun spots.
This is also why melasma treatment in Surrey BC needs a different, more careful approach than treating a sun spot or a single dark patch. The wrong laser settings, the wrong heat level, or an overly aggressive protocol can actually trigger more pigmentation rather than less — a phenomenon called rebound hyperpigmentation. At Uptown Skin & Laser Clinic, we take a medically guided approach to melasma, always calibrated to your specific skin tone, melasma pattern, and treatment history.
Melasma & Pigmentation Treatments We Recommend
| Treatment | Why We Recommend It For This Concern |
|---|---|
| PicoSure Pro | Our first-line melasma laser for most patients. Picosecond technology generates less heat than older lasers, reducing the risk of rebound pigmentation that can worsen melasma — especially important for medium and deeper skin tones. |
| Lase MD Ultra | A gentler resurfacing laser that can be paired with brightening serums infused directly into the skin via its drug-delivery capability, supporting pigmentation correction with minimal downtime. |
| Micro Needling | Supports collagen remodelling and improves topical brightening product absorption — often used between laser sessions as part of a longer-term melasma management plan. |
| Q Switch Laser | An alternative pigmentation laser for specific patterns and patients where wavelength targeting is a better fit, used with more conservative settings on deeper skin tones. |
| Chemical Peel | Mandelic acid and other gentle peel formulations support pigmentation fading and are often used as a maintenance step between energy-based treatments. |
| Radiance Glow Facial | A non-laser brightening option using medical-grade actives — a good entry point if you're not ready for laser, or as ongoing maintenance once melasma is under control. |
Benefits of Melasma & Pigmentation Treatment
- Visibly lighter, less intense pigmentation patches
- A more even, balanced, naturally luminous skin tone
- Lower risk of recurrence with consistent SPF and maintenance
- Safe, effective treatment across all skin tones, including Fitzpatrick IV–VI
- A management plan, not just a one-time treatment
- A protocol that adapts as your skin responds
Results You Can See
Pigmentation treatment typically needs 4–8 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, with results developing progressively as the body clears treated pigment between sessions.