Recovery
Results
Treatment Time
Aftercare
Treatment science score
The Science of Melasma Lasers
- Lasers the most effective way to remove melasma pigmentation
- The newest pico laser technology yields results with no downtime
- Results can be seen within 1-2 weeks
- We use specific lasers based upon the depth & type of pigmentation
- We have access to over 40 lasers in Sydney & in our Brisbane clinics
- Laser offer an advantage over Cosmelan peels as they are more effective
Lasers are the most effective way to treat pigmentation. In the correct settings they provide excellent pigment clearance in all skin types with little to no downtime.
What results can I expect from lasers?
Carefully selected lasers provide rapid clearance of it pigmentation with no downtime. Laser treatment of melasma & pigmentation has the following advantages –
- Pigment clearance
- Skin lightening & brightening
- Collagen remodeling
- Removal of sun damage
- Reduces fine lines, wrinkles & enlarged pores
How do we choose what types of lasers to use for melasma?
The Melasma Clinic has access to over 40 lasers, so, how do we match your pigment type to a specific laser? Here is a simplified guide as to how-
- Type of pigment
- Depth of pigment
- Ethnicity & skin typing
- Downtime considerations
Can lasers be used on all skin types & ethnicities?
Yes. We employ specific pigment lasers to treat darker skin types. Rest assured they are safe & effective.
What is the recovery following laser treatment for melasma?
Recovery depends on the lasers used & the settings. As a guide-
- Picosecond lasers: no downtime
- Clear + Brilliant: 1-3 days
- Fraxel laser/ LaseMD: 3-7 days
- Dermal toning lasers: no downtime
When will I see the results?
Results can be seen as early as 7 days using the very latest melasma lasers, however with older dermal toning lasers, it can take up to one month for best results.
What is the best laser for melasma?
Picosecond lasers employ ultrashort pulses of light to safely shatter unwanted pigment without heating the skin. We have access to two of the leading pico lasers- the Picosure Pro & the Picoway. With precise settings, pico lasers can clear up this pigmentation within a few short weeks. Results are seen as early as one week after treatment.
We also use other lasers for deeper melasma including fractional lasers such as Fraxel, LaseMD, & Clear + Brilliant. If your pigment is deep & superficial, we combine pico & fractional lasers.
For genetic causes of pigmentation, we use dermal toning lasers in special settings. These include the QRas, Spectra, Spectra Hollywood, C6, & Pastelle lasers
How many laser sessions are needed?
Typically, 1-5 depending on the type of lasers used. Sessions are spaced 2-4 weeks apart, depending on depth of pigment, your skin color & settings.
How do lasers compare to Cosmelan peels or Dermamelan peels?
It is not that we are against chemical peels for melasma as we perform both Cosmelan & Dermamelan peels on a daily basis. We approach the patient by providing them with a solution, not just a treatment.
Lasers have the advantage over Comelan in providing better results with no downtime. Cosmelan provides faster results with a significant recovery period. The end results are not as good as pico lasers.
Treatment type |
Number of sessions |
Recovery |
Works in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser for melasma | 4 sessions | 0 days | 80% of patients |
| Cosmelan or Dermamelan peels | 1 session | 7+ days | 60% of patients |
Why are we different from other clinics that provide pigment treatments?
Experience & expertise. The Melasma Clinic is a specialist dermatology practice dedicated to the treatment of disorders of pigmentation. We combine the very latest in technology with the expertise of over 20 years in dermatology to provide the best & safest outcomes.
Our key point of differences includes-
- The latest in laser technology with access to over 40 devices
- 2 decades of dermatology experience
- Numerous peer reviewed publications on pigment treatment
- Clinical experience in Asia including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam & Korea
- Research center for numerous lasers & injectable companies
Our Gallery of Results
How do we select lasers based upon skin types?
By selecting a specific wavelength of laser, in addition to correct settings & lasing techniques, pigment removal is both safe and effective.
Lighter skin types are treated with fractional devices, whilst darker skin types are best treated with ultra-short pulse duration lasers. In exceptional cases of deep pigment in ethnic skin types, we employ Fraxel & similar lasers
Why did my melasma flare with lasers?
Wrong laser, or wrong settings. Lasers are merely instruments, setting matter. Even with the newest pico laser technology, the settings & the technical aspect of using the device is critical for best outcomes.
Our specialists have developed our own bespoke protocols over the past decade to ensure maximal pigment clearance in the shortest time possible, whilst reducing side effects from lasers.
Hori, faded (not completely) in only 2 sessions with Picosure Pro
.
👉End point> Stippled frosting focally over my usual end point of gray/oedema. More aggressive settings give faster clearance, albeit higher risks of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
.
👉Ideally 2 more sessions
.
Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney,
Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasmaclinic #hori #horinaevustreatment #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist #pigmentationclinic
Hori, faded (not completely) in only 2 sessions with Picosure Pro
.
👉End point> Stippled frosting focally over my usual end point of gray/oedema. More aggressive settings give faster clearance, albeit higher risks of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
.
👉Ideally 2 more sessions
.
Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney,
Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasmaclinic #hori #horinaevustreatment #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist #pigmentationclinic
Pigment is a glow distractor
.
👉Understanding the level of pigment > first step in optimizing your outcome
.
👉Match a wavelength to the level > predictable outcome
.
👉Match an ‘ingredient’ to pigment output > better outcome
.
👉Match an injectable to the level > the icing on the cake
.
👉Reducing UV & visible light > an essential step
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney, 🇦🇺
Australia
.
#melasmaclinic #melasma #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist #pigmentation
Pigment is a glow distractor
.
👉Understanding the level of pigment > first step in optimizing your outcome
.
👉Match a wavelength to the level > predictable outcome
.
👉Match an ‘ingredient’ to pigment output > better outcome
.
👉Match an injectable to the level > the icing on the cake
.
👉Reducing UV & visible light > an essential step
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney, 🇦🇺
Australia
.
#melasmaclinic #melasma #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist #pigmentation
For melasma, it does not mean the deeper you go, the better the results💯
.
👉Superficial peels: slow & steady with glycolic over lactic acid
.
👉TCA: outdated, though 8-10% single to double coating can reduce pigment in some cases
.
👉Phenol: for recalcitrant cases, with the risk of PIH & long lasting hypo
.
👉Novel Peels: probably gives the best results, with a hit rate of around 60+%, best used with medical therapy
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney,
Australia🇦🇺
.
#tcapeel #cosmelanpeel #viprecisionpeel #chemicalpeel #melasmatreatment #melasmaclinic #drdavinlim #phenolpeel #pigmentation
For melasma, it does not mean the deeper you go, the better the results💯
.
👉Superficial peels: slow & steady with glycolic over lactic acid
.
👉TCA: outdated, though 8-10% single to double coating can reduce pigment in some cases
.
👉Phenol: for recalcitrant cases, with the risk of PIH & long lasting hypo
.
👉Novel Peels: probably gives the best results, with a hit rate of around 60+%, best used with medical therapy
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney,
Australia🇦🇺
.
#tcapeel #cosmelanpeel #viprecisionpeel #chemicalpeel #melasmatreatment #melasmaclinic #drdavinlim #phenolpeel #pigmentation
As with everything medical, advice is based upon probability not possibility, taking into account outliers
.
🧴Creams: can flare melasma. More potent creams containing a mix of estrogen, especially estradiol over estriol (acknowledging that estriol is the predominant form in pregnancy) has a higher chance of flares. The greatest risk is in sun exposed areas
.
💊HRT tablets / systemic/ patches: Has a higher risk compared to creams. Dose related threshold that depends on individuals. Estradiol has a higher risk compared to estriol
.
👉Vaginal Estrogen Creams: risk is very low as systemic absorption is limited
.
🤷🏻♂️Non-hormonal estrogen receptor modulators (Emepelle): risk unquantified
.
👉💯Tips: avoid creams on sun exposed areas, including face /chest / arms
.
👉Are you on HRT, & has your melasma flared up because of it?
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney, 🇦🇺
Australia
.
#melasma #HRT #hormonereplacement #themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist #menopauseclinic #menopause #menopausemelasma
As with everything medical, advice is based upon probability not possibility, taking into account outliers
.
🧴Creams: can flare melasma. More potent creams containing a mix of estrogen, especially estradiol over estriol (acknowledging that estriol is the predominant form in pregnancy) has a higher chance of flares. The greatest risk is in sun exposed areas
.
💊HRT tablets / systemic/ patches: Has a higher risk compared to creams. Dose related threshold that depends on individuals. Estradiol has a higher risk compared to estriol
.
👉Vaginal Estrogen Creams: risk is very low as systemic absorption is limited
.
🤷🏻♂️Non-hormonal estrogen receptor modulators (Emepelle): risk unquantified
.
👉💯Tips: avoid creams on sun exposed areas, including face /chest / arms
.
👉Are you on HRT, & has your melasma flared up because of it?
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney, 🇦🇺
Australia
.
#melasma #HRT #hormonereplacement #themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist #menopauseclinic #menopause #menopausemelasma
In the past 10 years there has been a tremendous increase in knowledge regarding the cause/s of melasma, enabling better treatments with longer remission times & higher clearances
.
👉Peels: are a novel way to reduce pigment. They can be effective in 50-60% of cases. We perform Cosmelan, Dermamelan, Vi Precision, AHAs & Jessner. In some cases they provide a slightly faster clearance rate compared to lasers, however their ‘hit’ rate is not as good, providing devices are dialed in correctly. As per diagram, there are many other pathways to consider when treating melasma pigment 💯
.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼Sunscreen: correct application overlooked by the majority of patients. This is step on in the algorithm, get this correct before embarking on peels, skin care & lasers
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney, 🇦🇺
Australia
.
#melasma #cosmelan #chemicalpeelmelasma #themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
In the past 10 years there has been a tremendous increase in knowledge regarding the cause/s of melasma, enabling better treatments with longer remission times & higher clearances
.
👉Peels: are a novel way to reduce pigment. They can be effective in 50-60% of cases. We perform Cosmelan, Dermamelan, Vi Precision, AHAs & Jessner. In some cases they provide a slightly faster clearance rate compared to lasers, however their ‘hit’ rate is not as good, providing devices are dialed in correctly. As per diagram, there are many other pathways to consider when treating melasma pigment 💯
.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼Sunscreen: correct application overlooked by the majority of patients. This is step on in the algorithm, get this correct before embarking on peels, skin care & lasers
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney, 🇦🇺
Australia
.
#melasma #cosmelan #chemicalpeelmelasma #themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
Effectively building & keeping collagen in the upper layers of skin can potentially prevent & treat some forms of pigmentation, especially the ones related to aging. This includes late onset melasma & ‘dermal’ dropout, more common in darker skin types
.
👉How to? Topical retinoids can potentially provide very low levels of collagen, more efficient modalities include lasers, RF microneedling (correct depth & settings) as well as HIFU & biostimulatory injectables. The ideal biostimulus depends on the clinical presentation & age of the patient🙌🏼
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney,
Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmaclinic #biostimulator #skin #melasmatreatment #sunscreens #bioremodelling #drdavinlim #dermatologistsydney
Effectively building & keeping collagen in the upper layers of skin can potentially prevent & treat some forms of pigmentation, especially the ones related to aging. This includes late onset melasma & ‘dermal’ dropout, more common in darker skin types
.
👉How to? Topical retinoids can potentially provide very low levels of collagen, more efficient modalities include lasers, RF microneedling (correct depth & settings) as well as HIFU & biostimulatory injectables. The ideal biostimulus depends on the clinical presentation & age of the patient🙌🏼
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane | Sydney,
Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmaclinic #biostimulator #skin #melasmatreatment #sunscreens #bioremodelling #drdavinlim #dermatologistsydney
90% of CALM or cafe au lait macules can respond to pico or QSL.
.
👉This patient: treated with 532 Hollywood Spectra nano laser, sessions spaced 8-10 weeks apart. Anecdotally facial lesions respond better than extra-facial lesions
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#spectralaser #lutronic #calmbirthmark #birthmarktreatment #cafeaulaitbirthmark
#birthmarkremoval #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist
90% of CALM or cafe au lait macules can respond to pico or QSL.
.
👉This patient: treated with 532 Hollywood Spectra nano laser, sessions spaced 8-10 weeks apart. Anecdotally facial lesions respond better than extra-facial lesions
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#spectralaser #lutronic #calmbirthmark #birthmarktreatment #cafeaulaitbirthmark
#birthmarkremoval #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist
🍊Vitamin C is useful, only if your skin can tolerate it. Why? High bioavailable vitamin C has an acidic formulation with a low pH, much lower than the already acidic environment of skin. This can lead to irritation, which means more potent pigment correctors can’t be applied
.
👉Formulations: L -ascorbic acid, preferably in the morning under make up & a thick layer of tinted sunscreen
.
👉Tips: concentrate on getting your sunscreen application correct before product selection, 90% of melasma sufferers haven’t got this step correct
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #vitaminc #ascorbicacid #vitamincskincare #themelasmaclinic #sydneydermatologist #drdavinlim #themelasmaclinic
🍊Vitamin C is useful, only if your skin can tolerate it. Why? High bioavailable vitamin C has an acidic formulation with a low pH, much lower than the already acidic environment of skin. This can lead to irritation, which means more potent pigment correctors can’t be applied
.
👉Formulations: L -ascorbic acid, preferably in the morning under make up & a thick layer of tinted sunscreen
.
👉Tips: concentrate on getting your sunscreen application correct before product selection, 90% of melasma sufferers haven’t got this step correct
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #vitaminc #ascorbicacid #vitamincskincare #themelasmaclinic #sydneydermatologist #drdavinlim #themelasmaclinic
Why should IPL not be used to treat melasma?
IPL or BBL (Broad band light) is an awesome treatment for non-melasma pigment, however if used on this patients, a flare up is often seen. The primary reason for this is that IPL produces too much heat. For melasma, we employ ‘cool’ lasers, namely lasers that transfer energy via sound, not heat.
The Melasma Clinic difference
Our specialist clinic can effectively treat pigmentation in all skin types, employing bespoke treatment protocols that consist of skin care actives, advanced lasers, clinical peels & in some cases prescriptive medication. With 20 years of dermatology behind us, we can manage all forms of pigmentation, from melasma, through to post inflammatory pigment.
Dr Davin Lim
645K subscribersHow to treat PIGMENTATION
If I can identify the cause of pigmentation, chances are I can treat it. This can only be achieved with careful real time examination…
More of our mostFrequently asked questions
Will lasers be effective for all cases of melasma?
How does microneedling compare to lasers?
How do lasers reduce pigmentation?
A SummaryMelasma treatments using lasers
Dr Davin Lim | Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic, Brisbane | Sydney
Lasers are the cornerstone of pigment removal, including melasma treatments. Over the past 2 years there has been
significant progress in the delivery of energy, namely with shorter pulse durations in the picosecond range.
