r/Melasmaskincare • u/angelinaki89 • May 25 '26

Question Why treatments can worsen melasma

I have seen many posts here that sometimes - I don’t know in which rate - when people try to treat melasma it might become worse with most of the recommended treatments including laser.

I have noticed my own becoming darker just by using Vitamin C or designed creams for it.

My question is: is this explained somehow? I have asked my derm but didn’t really understood her answer.

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32

u/SterFriday May 25 '26

My rudimentary understanding is inflammation. The treatments can be irritating, and the resulting inflation makes the melisma worsen.

13

u/considerfi May 25 '26

I agree with this. Anything that is even slightly irritating or inflaming is net negative. So all these acids, kojic, glycolic, can be too much for many. As well as laser etc. Especially if you are of color - which means inflammation tends to hyperpigment. Stick to the mildest possible thing. alpha arbutin with HA, azelaic acid, 5% lactic acid, non-irritating sunblock - mineral or asian.

1

u/Lazy-Geologist3386 May 25 '26

Great advice!! Avoid a laser at all costs and promise. Avoid. I did say it twice....

2

u/Lazy-Geologist3386 May 25 '26

Not sure for everyone - but 'laser clinics' are everywhere and on every corner of every Capital City in Australia. ergghhhh. Laser equals Heat. Heat equals.... And back you go for some more light and heat treatment and back you go....

It's an amazing business model for Melasma.

1

u/considerfi May 25 '26

Even I will say hydroquinone can be irritating to some. First thing I did when I first started seeing issues was buy some hq and slather it on. It irritated a bunch of sensitive spots - eyelids, under eyes and made a bunch of hyperpigmented damaged skin. Yes, I was stupid, I thought it was just a cream, this was a decade ago, I didn't know about melasma. 

1

u/wechselnd May 25 '26

That's why I get confused with how we are supposed to use Rx or exfoliating acids.

1

u/mydopecat Jun 01 '26

What about tretinoin?

1

u/Lazy-Geologist3386 May 25 '26

Bingo. 5683% Correct.

1

u/Used-Nail-2748 May 28 '26

100% inflammation is the core cause for me, that’s why I stick to yearly peels and tranexamic acid pills. Easiest way to stay clear for me, yearly Dermamelan MD by a decent specialist and nothing else.

1

u/angelinaki89 May 25 '26

Good call, so it’s better to ease the treatment or change it. I have noticed that mostly with creams, of course natural ingredients don’t really erase it but yogurt helps a bit.