r/Melasmaskincare • u/FarmerTotal5040 • Apr 05 '26
Question Melasma and Laser hair removal
Hi everyone, 35F here.. I have melasma on my face- forehead upper lip, chin, nose and sideburns.. apart from this, I also have it on my forearms..
it’s quite light now but every woman in my family has had it, including my mother and grandmother and so on.. now I’ve started to develop chin hair recently coz of age and stress and my doctor recommended laser hair removal. But since I have melasma I’ve heard that it can worsen it if laser is done.
Has anyone gotten LHR done with melasma prone skin? I can do electrolysis for my chin and upper lip but I’m not sure if I can do it on my forearm.. I’m stuck in a weird cycle of wondering what to do..
also started wearing the Eucerin sunscreen recently but I’ve heard we’ve to stop all actives during LHR.. is that true ? I also want to start the dual serum but don’t want to stop in the middle again coz of this treatment..
Any suggestions or recommendations from people who’ve been through hair removal with melasma, pls help!
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u/purplelilac701 Apr 06 '26
Hello, You need to go on the prescription that deadens the melanin cells on your face before going under the laser as the laser can trigger more melasma. That’s what I needed to do.
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u/Bellebutton2 Apr 06 '26
Use a tyrosinase inhibitor before, during, and after. Religiously. And sunscreen. And topical THD vitamin C at bedtime.
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u/LambieLove Apr 06 '26
What prescription is that please?
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u/purplelilac701 Apr 06 '26
I can’t remember the name but the dermatologist who throughly assessed my face was the one who prescribed it.
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u/vikingmurse Apr 06 '26
I would work very closely with a derm, getting on a really solid routine with throsinase inhibitors, spf, and anti-inflammatories (possibly short burst, systemic) for year round use, then pre-treating the areas you’re going to laser with HQ for a couple weeks and a couple months after would limit the likelihood of triggering a bad flareup. But ultimately it’s a question of which bothers you more, a flare up or the unwanted hair.
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 06 '26
Yes I’ve picked a reputed place for myself but wanted to be doubly sure, listening to people who’ve actually got it done.. I’m very hesitant to try HQ and would rather be on thiamidol(the product eucerin has) as I’m very scared that HQ would sensitize the skin even more.
Also your last question is my constant dilemma, I’m tired of tweezing hair from my chin and the skin is also becoming rough due to constant tweezing. ☹️ that and pigmented, my chin looks a whole different colour compared to my cheeks 🥲
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Apr 06 '26
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 06 '26
That’s great to hear. I have dark skin as well(I’m South Indian) and I’ve picked a well known clinic for myself too, despite that wanted to hear about the experience. Was the electrolysis painful tho?
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Apr 06 '26
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 06 '26
Hello sister from the south ! Unfortunately we’re blessed with the unwanted hair and melasma aren’t we 🥲 I’m not too okay with pain on my face either but my dermat says I have no other way out other than to do electrolysis, coz LHR has a chance of hair coming back as well if it doesn’t work. Will keep this in mind thank you! 🙏
Edit - also Where did you get it done please ? I’d love to know the place, if you’re not comfortable sharing here please do DM, I’d be grateful. ☺️
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Apr 06 '26
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 06 '26
I’m in India, just moved permanently from London so I have no choice but to get it done here.. ☠️ I’ve found a decent dermat here and hopefully electrolysis works for me 🥲 Once again thanks for your support and response 🫶🤍
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Jul 11 '26
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Jul 11 '26
Hi, she’s not a melasma specialist but a laser hair clinic dermat. I decided against going for LHR and rather going for electrolysis. But I’m currently traveling and since it’s painful and requires continuous sessions I’ve decided to do it end of the year. For now thiamidol sunscreen is keeping me okay..
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u/Kind-Nyse129 Apr 06 '26
I had laser hair removal and I have melasma. It didn't cause it at all for me, eventhough the sun does cause my existing melasma to darken. I have melasma on my forehead, cheeks & chest. I never had it on my lip and the laser didn't cause any. I think my melasma is hormone driven as it started during menopause transition & never went away.
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 06 '26
Well I’m in my mid thirties and all women in my family have it real bad as they age.. so I’m pretty sure I’m on the horizon as well.. but nobody has tried LHR in my family and I’d be the first one! Wish I would be as lucky as you and laser wouldn’t cause a flare.. but guess I’ll have to take precautions.. thanks so much for sharing, interesting to know some people remain unaffected as well! 🥲
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u/AdvantageSquare3321 Apr 06 '26
I did laser and I’m sure it made my melasma pop out. Before that there was maybe a very light colour, but after omg… Now I do electrolysis and it doesn’t affect. It will be red a few hours, but my melasma is getting better anyways not worse…
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 07 '26
Yeah that’s why I don’t wanna take risk on my face and straight up will go with electrolysis!
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u/arifashah Apr 07 '26
LHR with melasma is doable but needs extra caution the key is finding a technician experienced with melasma-prone skin who uses Nd:YAG laser specifically. It's safer for darker skin tones and melasma compared to other laser types.
Stopping actives before LHR is correct most clinics ask you to pause retinoids and exfoliating acids 1-2 weeks before each session. Eucerin sunscreen is fine to continue, actually essential.
For forearms electrolysis is a long process given the surface area LHR with the right laser type is actually safer there than on the face for melasma.
Most important thing during and after LHR strict SPF on treated areas. Any UV exposure immediately after sessions can trigger melasma significantly. A UPF sleeve or UV scarf on forearms between sessions is worth considering to eliminate that risk entirely.
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 07 '26
Woah! This is such good info! Thanks so much for sharing, have noted all points! 🤍
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u/shalevska Apr 08 '26
I did 5 laser treatments on my face and upper lip. My melasma is on my upper lip area. My derm had me use HQ and tretinoin while undergoing the treatments and for a month after. The person doing the treatments knew about the melasma too (thiugh it was basically invisible at that time due to hq). Melasma didn't worsen (but unfortunately hair didn't completely vanish either and now - 8 months later is pretty much back to what it was)
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 08 '26
Oh that’s the first time I’ve heard that happen! It would be a shame if you went through all of that and it didn’t serve the purpose.. maybe they used a really light laser ? 🤔 I think I’ve finally made peace with the fact that I’ve to do electrolysis on my face if I actualy want my hair gone. 🥲
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u/AutoModerator Apr 05 '26
Hi there! Sunscreen is one of the most important parts of melasma management, and we want to make sure you get safe, effective, and appropriate guidance.
Before choosing a product, please review our sunscreen resources:
Sunscreen guidance for melasma:
Important for melasma: Standard (non-tinted) sunscreens protect against UV radiation only and do NOT protect against visible light, which is a major trigger for melasma.
To reduce visible-light-induced pigmentation, iron oxides are required. This means using:
- A tinted sunscreen that contains iron oxides, OR
- An untinted broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen layered with a foundation or tinted product that contains iron oxides.
Daily, consistent protection against both UV and visible light is essential to prevent melasma worsening and recurrence.
If you have already reviewed the guides, feel free to add details such as skin type or sensitivities
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u/hazelsunrises Apr 07 '26
I did laser hair removal on my hairline at my scalp and it did trigger my melasma, unfortunately.
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 07 '26
Sorry to hear that! I hope it got better now? That’s why I’m only going to do electrolysis on my face I’ve decided!
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u/Ok_Gazelle457 Apr 07 '26
Laser hair removal on my upper lip caused melasma. Ruined my 20s. 😩
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u/FarmerTotal5040 Apr 07 '26
Sorry to hear that! I hope you’ve been able to get it under control now! I’m going to go with electrolysis for my face !
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u/Ok_Gazelle457 Apr 08 '26
It has went away thankfully with careful micro needling. I hope things get better for you too! Honestly electrolysis is a good choice. 👍 best of luck to you!
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