Melasma

Symmetrical brown patching that keeps coming back

Melasma shows up as brown or grey-brown patches, usually across the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, and usually on both sides at once. Sun and heat drive it, which makes Florida a difficult place to have it.

It is managed rather than cured, and it is easy to make worse. Treatments that rely on heat or light can deepen the pigment instead of clearing it, which is why our approach here is chemical and topical rather than laser or intense pulsed light. Daily sun protection is not an add-on; it is most of the treatment.

Expect a plan measured in months, and expect us to be cautious. That caution is the point.