Quick Facts
- Melasma: Brown or grey-brown patches, often on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip
- Main triggers: Sun, visible light, heat and hormones
- Most affected: Women and people with medium to darker skin tones
- Treatment approach: Daily sun protection, topical care and gentle in-clinic treatments
- Timeline: Gradual change over months
- Long-term care: Flares return without a maintenance plan
What Is Melasma?
Melasma is a common pigment condition. Pigment cells in your skin produce excess melanin in patches. The patches often appear on both sides of the face in a matching pattern. Common areas are the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, upper lip and chin.
Melasma is not harmful to your health. The patches affect how your skin looks and often affect confidence.
Why Is Melasma Common in Dubai?
- Strong sun: High UV levels for most of the year
- Heat: Heat alone stimulates pigment cells, even without direct sun
- Visible light: Sunlight beyond UV also darkens pigment in medium and darker skin
- Skin type: Many residents have medium to darker skin tones, which produce pigment more readily
What Are the Main Types of Pigmentation?
| Type | How the Type Looks | Common Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Melasma | Matching brown or grey-brown patches on both sides of the face | Sun, heat, hormones, genetics |
| Sun spots | Small, defined brown spots | Years of sun exposure |
| Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation | Dark marks after acne, burns or irritation | Inflammation or injury |
| Freckles | Small light brown spots, darker in summer | Genetics and sun |
Your doctor confirms the type before treatment. Some treatments for sun spots make melasma worse.
What Triggers Melasma?
- UV rays and visible light from the sun
- Heat, including saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga and cooking over a stove
- Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, hormonal contraception and hormone therapy
- Family history of melasma
- Irritating skincare, harsh scrubs and aggressive treatments
How Do Doctors Treat Melasma?
- Diagnosis: Your doctor examines your skin, sometimes under a special light, to judge the type and depth of pigment.
- Sun protection: Broad-spectrum SPF 50 every day. Tinted mineral sunscreens with iron oxides also block visible light. Reapply every 2 to 3 hours outdoors.
- Topical care: Doctor-prescribed brightening creams and ingredients such as azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C and tranexamic acid slow pigment production.
- In-clinic treatments: Gentle chemical peels, low-energy laser and microneedling support the plan. Aggressive heat-based treatments raise the risk of rebound pigment.
- Maintenance: Regular reviews and a long-term routine keep pigment under control.
How Do the Treatment Options Compare?
| Option | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daily sunscreen | Foundation of every plan | Tinted mineral formulas block visible light |
| Topical brightening agents | Slow pigment production | Change shows over 8 to 12 weeks |
| Gentle chemical peels | Lift surface pigment | Mild peels suit melasma. Strong peels raise rebound risk. |
| Low-energy laser | Breaks up pigment gradually | Settings matter for darker skin tones |
| Microneedling | Supports skin renewal and topical care | Doctor-guided only |
Why Does Melasma Come Back?
Melasma is a long-term condition. The triggers stay present, especially sun and heat in Dubai. Flares often appear in summer. A maintenance plan holds your progress and catches flares early.
What Should You Avoid With Melasma?
- Home remedies such as lemon juice on the skin
- Bleaching creams bought online without a prescription
- Harsh scrubs and daily exfoliation
- Sun through car windows without sunscreen
- Strong laser or peels without a doctor assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Does melasma go away on its own?
Sometimes, after pregnancy or after stopping hormonal contraception. Most cases need ongoing care.
Is laser safe for melasma?
Low-energy settings suit some patients. Aggressive heat worsens melasma. Your doctor chooses the right approach for your skin tone.
Is melasma treatment safe during pregnancy?
Most active treatments wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Sunscreen is safe throughout.
How long until pigment fades?
Change usually shows after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent care. Results differ between people.
Does a HydraFacial help pigmentation?
A HydraFacial improves glow and surface tone. Deeper pigment needs a targeted plan.
Related Guides
- HydraFacial: The Complete Guide
- Salmon DNA for Acne Scars
- Salmon DNA After Laser Treatment
- Pre-Wedding Aesthetic Timeline
Book a Consultation
Want a plan for your pigmentation? Message us on WhatsApp to book your consultation.
This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace a personalised consultation with a licensed medical aesthetics provider. Individual results vary.