Melasma treatment at Our Clinic:

At the Joyce Lim Clinic, we offer different types of treatment for our patients.

1. What is melasma?

Melasma consists of brown spots/patches on both sides of the face, especially on the cheeks, upper lips, nose and chin. The distribution is usually symmetrical. Melasma is mainly seen in women of child-bearing age. 

The colour in melasma darkens during sunlight exposure. Melasma tends to occur during pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives.

Melasma may fade after childbirth or discontinuation of oral contraceptives, but it tends to persist.

2. What is the treatment of melasma?

One or more of the following may be tried:

• Remove the underlying cause e.g. oral contraceptives.
• Use sunscreen regularly and avoid sun exposure as far as possible. This will minimise further darkening of the lesions.
• Bleaching agents such as hydroquinone can be used to lighten the colour. The treatment usually takes several months.
• Cosmetic camouflage can be used to hide the colour.