How to choose the best laser to solve your melasma for good.
When there’s a laser treatment for every skin concern, how do you go about choosing the best laser to solve your melasma for good?
Lasers have revolutionised the way we treat all skin concerns; pass by a dermatologist’s office or peruse a skin clinic treatment menu and it’s a full rundown of lasers. But just as Michelin Star wine lists can be as decipherable as hieroglyphics, so can the endless laser treatment derivatives.
How to treat melasma with laser?
Melasma may appear very similar to other types of hyperpigmentation but whereas the majority are sun-induced, melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation caused by hormonal changes within the body. This makes melasma particularly difficult to treat as it can reoccur at any time.
Melasma is very common amongst pregnant women as they experience significant hormonal changes and most often presents on the face in a butterfly or mask shape. Melasma can fade on its own as hormones rebalance, or it can be treated with topical creams and brightening agents but as with other strands of hyperpigmentation, skin lasers tend to achieve the most thorough results.
Which laser skin treatment to choose for your melasma?
A wise place to start is by researching melasma causes before consulting a cosmetic doctor. Once you have a background on your personal presentation, you can make an informed decision on if and how you might treat it.
The optimal laser treatment for melasma will be different from the preferred laser for wrinkles, or for scarring, or for sagging. The decision is down to the power, precision and wavelength penetration of each model but also by your own propensity for discomfort, downtime and budget.
Consequently, the list of lasers for skin care rejuvenation is exhaustive but here’s a top line of approaches:
- Ablative lasers cause superficial wounding to much of the skin’s surface, some removing the entire outer layer of skin.
- Non-ablative lasers deliver thermal damage by heating the water content in cells, triggering a repair response and collagen production.
- Fractionated lasers treat extremely small, pixelated areas of skin.
Models of in-clinic lasers commonly found in dermatologist clinics include:
- PicoSure
- Halo
- Clear + Brilliant
- Nd:YAG
Research papers find the Q-Switched Nd:YAG often comes out top for melasma due to its 1064 nm wavelength, able to travel through skin layers with high intensity.
Unlike traditional 1064 nm lasers that create controlled injury, the LYMA Laser PRO uses 808 nm near-infrared light to penetrate deep below the skin without damage, triggering cellular renewal safely and painlessly:
Laser treatment for melasma: A Reality Checklist
Rosy skin, swelling, bleeding and bruising are common side-effects of in-clinic skin lasers, with healing often taking weeks.
Other risks include:
- Leukoderma (unwanted white patches on darker skin)
- Post-inflammatory pigmentation
- Bacterial infection requiring antibiotics
- In some cases, melasma worsening post-treatment
- Melasma can return at any time due to hormonal factors
What’s the cost of in-clinic and at-home laser treatment for melasma?
| Laser Model | Type of Laser | Sessions Required | *Average Cost |
| PicoSure | Non-ablative short pulses | 4 treatments over 6 months | £270 per session |
| Clear + Brilliant | Gentle fractional diode laser | 4–6 treatments | £325 per session |
| Halo | Hybrid ablative/non-ablative | 2 treatments | £1,250 per session |
| Nd:YAG | Pulsed Q-switched laser | 3–4 treatments | £450 per session |
| LYMA Laser | Clinic-grade 500mw cold laser (at home) | Daily for 3 months, then 3x weekly | £1,999 one-off |
*Costs averaged from Harley Street and London clinics.
Alternatives to laser treatment for melasma
Chemical peels treat the outermost layer of skin but won’t eradicate hyperpigmentation. Microdermabrasion can lessen dark patches short-term. IPL has variable success for melasma due to shallow penetration.
Supporting your skin health is fundamental. LYMA Skincare targets 80% of living skin cells, far beyond conventional formulas.
“This is understanding how skincare regimens can achieve more than was previously thought possible,” says Dr Graeme E. Glass, Plastic Surgeon and scientific lead behind LYMA Skincare.
Overall, what’s the best laser treatment for melasma?
In-clinic treatments can be effective but come with pain, downtime, and risks. The LYMA Laser is pain-free, safe for home use, and proven to deliver incredible results.
The LYMA Laser is on hand, whenever and wherever you need it
The LYMA Laser is ideally suited for daily melasma treatment. Should melasma reappear due to hormonal changes, you can simply increase frequency again.
The LYMA Laser is a laser treatment for all skin tones
The LYMA Laser achieves results for all ethnicities and is the only laser device proven safe for every skin tone, without risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
What else makes the LYMA Laser the best laser treatment for melasma?
- First cold laser beam technology with clinic-grade power in a handheld device
- Pain-free, non-invasive
- Safe without protective goggles
- Portable and rechargeable
See real melasma results with the LYMA Laser:
