Melasma Treatment In Singapore

Many factors can contribute to the appearance of melasma, including pregnancy, use of birth control pills, prolonged sun exposure, and family history. If you didn’t pay much attention to sun protection earlier in life, melasma often starts to appear around your mid-30s. For professional assessment and targeted treatment, it’s best to consult a good dermatologist in Singapore who can tailor a plan to your skin’s specific needs.

It is straightforward to diagnose Melasma. Occasionally, other skin conditions like Lichen Planus Pigmentosus or mixed Hori with melasma may mimic melasma and lead to some uncertainty. Hence consulting an experienced dermatologist is prudent.

The general goal of melasma treatment is to lighten 30-90 % of the facial pigmentation. We have had good success with our treatment approach so far and many patients have responded really well. But its recurrence rate is high and ongoing sun avoidance is very important!

Commonly, a combination of the following measures is used:

Sun Protection

Thorough and careful sun protection is key to lightening melasma and preventing its recurrence. People who work under the sun or who enjoy outdoor sports under the sun will have a challenging task to achieve success in their melasma treatment.

Creams

Topical tretinoin, lightening cream and chemical peeling is the cornerstone of melasma treatment. This should be the foundation before any laser treatment is offered. During an international pigmentation meeting here in Singapore, an American Professor of Dermatology, who was the session chairperson; chided a speaker for her reliance on using only laser treatment to treat melasma. He lamented, “ I don’t understand why this fascination with laser only when evidence based lightening cream should be used in the first place!”

Tranexamic acid

Low dose oral tranexamic acid is an effective and safe treatment for melasma, provided patients are at low risk of stroke or thromboembolic disease. In Asia nowadays, the use of oral tranexamic acid together with creams has become very popular and the norm in treating melasma.

Laser

Laser treatment works beautifully when used in combination with topical creams. In Assurance skin, Q-switched ND:YAG lasers like Helios III are our go to options to hasten the lightening of melasma.

There is no single “best” treatment for melasma, as the most effective approach is a customised combination therapy. The “gold standard” for treating melasma in Singapore involves a multi-pronged strategy tailored to your skin type and the depth of your pigmentation. This typically includes:

1. Laser Therapy: Pico lasers are the preferred choice for breaking down deep pigmentation with minimal heat, reducing the risk of worsening melasma.
2. Prescription Creams: Medically-prescribed topicals containing agents like hydroquinone, tretinoin, or azelaic acid to suppress pigment production.
3. Strict Sun Protection: Daily use of a broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen is non-negotiable to prevent triggers and maintain results.
   A consultation with a doctor is essential to create the right plan for you.

Due to strict advertising regulations from the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore, medical clinics are not permitted to display ‘before and after’ photos on public platforms like websites and social media. However, we maintain a comprehensive portfolio of our patient results. You will be able to view these anonymised before-and-after photos in-person during your private consultation with our doctor. This allows for a confidential and detailed discussion about the realistic outcomes you can expect.

The most critical ‘at-home’ treatment for melasma is diligent sun protection. Without it, no clinical treatment will be effective. While over-the-counter serums with ingredients like Vitamin C or Niacinamide can help with overall skin brightness, they often lack the potency to significantly impact deep melasma pigment. “Natural” remedies are generally not recommended as they are unproven and can sometimes irritate the skin, potentially leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which can worsen the appearance of melasma.

It is important to understand that melasma is a chronic skin condition, not a disease that can be “cured” permanently. It is driven by factors like genetics, sun exposure, and hormonal fluctuations. Therefore, the goal of treatment is not a one-time cure, but effective long-term management. With a proper clinical treatment plan and a consistent at-home maintenance routine (especially sunscreen), it is possible to significantly clear the pigmentation and keep it in remission for long periods.

Yes, while melasma is much more common in women due to hormonal triggers, men can and do get melasma—it accounts for about 10% of all cases. The primary trigger for men is often chronic sun exposure. Treatment principles are the same for both sexes, typically involving a combination of laser therapy, topical creams, and strict sun protection. For personalised care, clinics that offer melasma treatment in Singapore can help manage pigmentation effectively.

• Topicals: no downtime, possible mild irritation
• Peels: 2–5 days of peeling/redness
• Lasers: mild redness/swelling for 1–3 days; no heavy scabbing with Pico lasers

Most patients return to work the next day; clinics advise strict sun avoidance for 1–2 weeks.