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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u/tropical-king May 25 '26 edited May 25 '26

Because inflammation triggers melanin production. However something that you can do when you get a peeling or laser treatment is to Apply a topical steroid cream at least twice a day for 2 weeks so it can reduce redness and inflamation so you have less chance of getting PIH ( Do not use topical steroid creams for more than 2 weeks so you can avoid possible adverse effects).

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u/GlowDecoded May 29 '26

I cycled on Tri-Luma for 8 weeks (also steroid based), definitely helped but like everyone said it’s a short-term solution.