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.
This concept is grasped by only a handful of patients as most melasma patients can not see beyond pigmentation itself. Those who get it will have a much higher probability of long term remission 💯
.
👉Rate limiting factors: ability to understand the cause of melasma beyond pigment, the time required to remodel the dermis, especially in skin of colour, financial constraints as dermal remodelling goes far beyond ‘retinol-retinoids’, RFM, lasers & EBDs or the ubiquitous & over-rated Cosmelan peel
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmatips #photoaging #melasmaclinic #celluaraging #drdavinlim
This concept is grasped by only a handful of patients as most melasma patients can not see beyond pigmentation itself. Those who get it will have a much higher probability of long term remission 💯
.
👉Rate limiting factors: ability to understand the cause of melasma beyond pigment, the time required to remodel the dermis, especially in skin of colour, financial constraints as dermal remodelling goes far beyond ‘retinol-retinoids’, RFM, lasers & EBDs or the ubiquitous & over-rated Cosmelan peel
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmatips #photoaging #melasmaclinic #celluaraging #drdavinlim
Though we practice prescriptive methodology at The Melasma Clinic, we do adopt some aspects of natural medicine, in particular polypodium fern extract (usually in resistant cases of melasma). Additionally we prescribe the usual vitamin C, B, licorice root & azelaic acids especially during the maintenance phase of melasma treatment. For the primary treatment phase there are far better options (covered on our website & in previous posts)
.
🍅Diet: Summarised as; eat lots of tomato salads, drizzle with olive oil, snack on #lentils or lentil dips & melonseeds. This diet high in antioxidants can reduce your risk of cardiovascular events & possibly increase your longevity. It can definitely reduce BMI & if you are lucky, melasma
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmatips #melasmadiet #melasmafood #naturalmedicine #melasmanaturalremedies #melasmaclinic #melasmaskincare #melasmacure #polypodium
Though we practice prescriptive methodology at The Melasma Clinic, we do adopt some aspects of natural medicine, in particular polypodium fern extract (usually in resistant cases of melasma). Additionally we prescribe the usual vitamin C, B, licorice root & azelaic acids especially during the maintenance phase of melasma treatment. For the primary treatment phase there are far better options (covered on our website & in previous posts)
.
🍅Diet: Summarised as; eat lots of tomato salads, drizzle with olive oil, snack on #lentils or lentil dips & melonseeds. This diet high in antioxidants can reduce your risk of cardiovascular events & possibly increase your longevity. It can definitely reduce BMI & if you are lucky, melasma
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#melasma #melasmatips #melasmadiet #melasmafood #naturalmedicine #melasmanaturalremedies #melasmaclinic #melasmaskincare #melasmacure #polypodium
The use of antioxidants such as glutathione can lighten & brighten skin. Glutathione can be a useful adjunct in some cases of #melasma
.
🔫Pico lasers: can safely be used to treat various types of pigmentation. A series of 3-5 sessions produce the best results, however in this patient only one treatment was performed. Settings matter
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #picolaser #picosurepro #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #glutathione #skinlightening
The use of antioxidants such as glutathione can lighten & brighten skin. Glutathione can be a useful adjunct in some cases of #melasma
.
🔫Pico lasers: can safely be used to treat various types of pigmentation. A series of 3-5 sessions produce the best results, however in this patient only one treatment was performed. Settings matter
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #picolaser #picosurepro #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #glutathione #skinlightening
If the proper amount of sunscreen is used, anything over an SPF of 40 is fine (in the context of melasma). Other than SPF factor (a measure of UVB), UVA ratings & attenuation of visible light is super important in the management of pigmentary disorders such as melasma & post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in skin of colour
.
👉Cosmetic elegance & colour matching: is often the rate limiting factor
.
👉Why tint? Iron oxides protect against visible light, this band of light stimulates pigment
.
👉How to use? Two fingerlengths, twice daily, regardless of exposure💯
.
👉Our pick? Elta MD, acknowledging there are many good brands with a wider range of colour matching
.
Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #melasmatips #bestsunscreen #spf #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #elta #eltaMD #eltasunscreens
If the proper amount of sunscreen is used, anything over an SPF of 40 is fine (in the context of melasma). Other than SPF factor (a measure of UVB), UVA ratings & attenuation of visible light is super important in the management of pigmentary disorders such as melasma & post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in skin of colour
.
👉Cosmetic elegance & colour matching: is often the rate limiting factor
.
👉Why tint? Iron oxides protect against visible light, this band of light stimulates pigment
.
👉How to use? Two fingerlengths, twice daily, regardless of exposure💯
.
👉Our pick? Elta MD, acknowledging there are many good brands with a wider range of colour matching
.
Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#sunscreen #melasmatips #bestsunscreen #spf #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic #elta #eltaMD #eltasunscreens
The peak of the #microcurrent trend was around 2 years ago, however there are new companies who herald microcurrent as an effective melasma treatment. Here are some facts-
.
👉Microcurrent does not treat melasma
.
👉Microcurrent has a very low potential of flaring up melasma
.
👉Microncurrent has a extremely low potential for collagen building
.
👉In a minority of cases it can ‘firm’ the skin for variable periods of time
.
👉There are many more effective treatments for #melasma
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #melasma #skin #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
#microcurrent #foreobear #foreo #micocurrentdevices
The peak of the #microcurrent trend was around 2 years ago, however there are new companies who herald microcurrent as an effective melasma treatment. Here are some facts-
.
👉Microcurrent does not treat melasma
.
👉Microcurrent has a very low potential of flaring up melasma
.
👉Microncurrent has a extremely low potential for collagen building
.
👉In a minority of cases it can ‘firm’ the skin for variable periods of time
.
👉There are many more effective treatments for #melasma
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #melasma #skin #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
#microcurrent #foreobear #foreo #micocurrentdevices
Antioxidants offer the second layer of defence against UV, visible light & environmental damage. Being second in line means that in the context of protection, they are way behind sunscreens💯
.
👉Tip: spend your time, effort & money getting photoprotection correct, from there you can move to antioxidants. If you have not mastered the basics of melasma treatment, go back to your foundations, namely how to effectively protect your skin
.
👉Antioxidants: our pick? Ascorbic acid, tocopherol & ferulic acid in the one convenient serum mix
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
@the_melasma_clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #melasma #skin #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
#melasmaskincare #antioxidants #spf #melasmasunscreen #ceferulicacid
Antioxidants offer the second layer of defence against UV, visible light & environmental damage. Being second in line means that in the context of protection, they are way behind sunscreens💯
.
👉Tip: spend your time, effort & money getting photoprotection correct, from there you can move to antioxidants. If you have not mastered the basics of melasma treatment, go back to your foundations, namely how to effectively protect your skin
.
👉Antioxidants: our pick? Ascorbic acid, tocopherol & ferulic acid in the one convenient serum mix
.
😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
@the_melasma_clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #melasma #skin #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
#melasmaskincare #antioxidants #spf #melasmasunscreen #ceferulicacid
Groundhog day. Without adequate photoprotection, your chances of improving melasma is markedly reduced. Over 90% of melasma patients prioritize ‘ skin treatments’ over adequate sun protection
.
👍🏻Best sunscreen: one that matches your skin tone, preferably SPF 50+, has to be TINTED (protects against visible light), however the key is the application frequency (at least twice daily) & the amount, namely two fingerlengths
.
👉Pigment correctors: invest in theses, after sunscreen. Mentioned in previous posts in great detail
.
👉Antioxidants: our pick? Ascorbic acid
.
👉Anti-aging: comes last. If you prioritise your usual over-rated topicals such as retinols over pigment inhibitors, chances are you will over shoot your skin’s irritant threshold, leading to compromise in skin barrier. This means you can’t use your antioxidants & pigment correctors💯
.
👉Tips: keep it simple
.
😎Davin Lim, Dermo
@the_melasma_clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #melasma #skin #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
#melasmaskincare
Groundhog day. Without adequate photoprotection, your chances of improving melasma is markedly reduced. Over 90% of melasma patients prioritize ‘ skin treatments’ over adequate sun protection
.
👍🏻Best sunscreen: one that matches your skin tone, preferably SPF 50+, has to be TINTED (protects against visible light), however the key is the application frequency (at least twice daily) & the amount, namely two fingerlengths
.
👉Pigment correctors: invest in theses, after sunscreen. Mentioned in previous posts in great detail
.
👉Antioxidants: our pick? Ascorbic acid
.
👉Anti-aging: comes last. If you prioritise your usual over-rated topicals such as retinols over pigment inhibitors, chances are you will over shoot your skin’s irritant threshold, leading to compromise in skin barrier. This means you can’t use your antioxidants & pigment correctors💯
.
👉Tips: keep it simple
.
😎Davin Lim, Dermo
@the_melasma_clinic
Sydney, Australia🇦🇺
.
#themelasmaclinic #melasmaclinic #melasma #skin #drdavinlim #sydneydermatologist
#melasmaskincare
Skin quality & the ‘glow’ is achievable if you break down what is required to get there💯
.
👉Pigment: best addressed with lasers & peels, with helping hand from skincare
.
👉Vessels: addressed with laser
.
👉Hydration: Polynuclotide & HA injectables, skin care, hydrators & humectants
.
👉Shadows: fillers
.
👉Blemishes: medical therapy including creams & tabs, lasers for raised lesions
.
👉The road to ‘the glow’ depends what each patient has that requires correction, as always, a tailored program will give best outcomes
.
😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney🇦🇺
.
#glowingskin #picosure #picolaser #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #themelasmaclinic
Skin quality & the ‘glow’ is achievable if you break down what is required to get there💯
.
👉Pigment: best addressed with lasers & peels, with helping hand from skincare
.
👉Vessels: addressed with laser
.
👉Hydration: Polynuclotide & HA injectables, skin care, hydrators & humectants
.
👉Shadows: fillers
.
👉Blemishes: medical therapy including creams & tabs, lasers for raised lesions
.
👉The road to ‘the glow’ depends what each patient has that requires correction, as always, a tailored program will give best outcomes
.
😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
The Melasma Clinic
Sydney🇦🇺
.
#glowingskin #picosure #picolaser #drdavinlim #davinlim #sydneydermatologist #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.
