Melasma treatment is the long-term management of an acquired pigmentary condition driven by ultraviolet light, hormones and sometimes vascular factors. Dr Sin Yong combines daily sun protection, topical agents and carefully selected laser protocols, because aggressive laser in Asian skin can worsen pigment through post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Melasma is often recurrent and needs sustained management.
- Melasma is an acquired pigment condition driven by ultraviolet light, hormones and sometimes vascular factors, usually affecting the face.
- Management combines daily sun protection, topical agents and carefully selected low-energy laser, decided after assessment.
- Heat can worsen melasma, so aggressive laser in Asian skin may darken pigment instead of lightening it.
- Melasma is often recurrent, so treatment aims at control rather than a cure.
- Dr Sin Yong, an aesthetic physician, plans and performs treatment and refers other pigment conditions on where needed.
Melasma Treatment Laser & Skincare
Melasma is an acquired pigmentary condition that tends to be long-lasting, presenting as patches of darkening skin primarily on the face — most commonly the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and chin. It is more prevalent in women and in individuals with darker Fitzpatrick skin types (III–VI), making it particularly relevant in the Singapore population.
The pathogenesis involves UV-triggered overactivation of melanocytes, hormonal influences, and potentially vascular components. It is not a simple pigmentation problem — it is a complex, often recurrent condition that requires a sustained management protocol.
Dr Sin Yong's Approach to Melasma
Treating melasma requires more than just laser — it requires a comprehensive protocol that includes: daily broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection (non-negotiable), topical brightening agents (azelaic acid, niacinamide) used between sessions, and carefully selected laser protocols that reduce pigment without triggering post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
In Asian skin, aggressive laser treatment for melasma can paradoxically worsen pigmentation through post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dr Sin Yong's protocol prioritises gradual, safe improvement over rapid but risky clearance.
