Melasma Treatment

Personalised Skincare to Treat Melasma Hyperpigmentation

Melasma is a largely harmless form of hyperpigmentation but it can be a major cosmetic concern for many. This is especially the case because Melasma treatment can be hard to treat if you don’t use the right skincare. Through our online clinic, our doctors offer personalised prescription strength (where appropriate) skincare treatments for Melasma.

Understanding Melasma

Melasma is a common skin condition that results in dark coloured patches on the skin, often on the face. It is one is the most common causes of hyperpigmentation. Although Melasma occurs a result of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy (aka chloasma or “the mask of pregnancy”) or menopause, sun exposure and genetic factors also play a big role. These factors lead to the over production of melanin which is the pigment responsible for skin colour. As a result, uneven dark patches develop on the skin. The most common areas affected by Melasma are the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin and above the upper lip. The hyperpigmentation in Melasma often develops gradually and results in symmetrical, blotchy, freckle-like spots that are clearly defined and flat. Whilst Melasma is more common in women, it can also affect men.

Why Personalisation Matters

We understand the emotional distress Melasma can cause especially since it can be hard to treat. Our personalised approach to Melasma treatment takes into account the variety of triggers and the fact that people respond differently. For this reason we believe the best way to treat Melasma hyperpigmentation is with a personalised approach tailored to each individual patient’s needs. Your doctor will assess your skin and medical history in detail to understand the underlying causes of your hyperpigmentation. They will then design a treatment using the ingredients that will be most effective for your specific concerns and goals.

Personalised Prescription Strength Melasma Treatment

We offer safe and effective personalised Melasma treatments through our online clinic. Your doctor will design your bespoke treatment based on your skin condition, medical history and goals. They will also take into account any wishes or concerns you may have as much as possible when designing your Melasma cream or gel. We offer two types of melasma skin pigmentation treatment protocols – MLS and MLS+. Both of these are custom made treatment protocols but have some differences:

  • MLS: This is our standard treatment protocol which targets mild to moderate Melasma hyperpigmentation. It is also the treatment we use for maintenance once your skin clears up. MLS comes as a single product which you use at night as directed by your doctor.
  • MLS+: This is our advanced treatment protocol for severe Melasma hyperpigmentation. MLS+ is designed for use for no more than 6 months and then you would continue with MLS for maintenance and general skin improvement. This treatment contains two products (a morning and night treatment).

Ingredients in Our Melasma Treatments

We only ever create personalised Melasma treatments for each of our patients and select ingredients that will best serve your unique skin concerns, goals and wishes. This is not a static treatment so components of your cream or gel may change at the end of each 3 month course of treatment based on your skin’s response. These are some of the active and prescription ingredients we may use in your topical skincare treatments for Melasma:

  • Tretinoin: is a prescription only medication that we may use either alone or with other ingredients in your cream or gel treatments for Melasma. It works by increasing skin cell turnover, which helps smooth texture and fade mild Melasma hyperpigmentation. As Tretinoin is up to 20x more powerful than retinol, it is a prescription only medicine that needs careful monitoring.
  • Azelaic Acid: has anti-inflammatory and keratolytic properties which can help fade uneven pigmentation and promote smoother skin.
  • Niacinamide: reduces inflammation, evens out skin tone and enhances the skin barrier.
  • Hydrocortisone: is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and soothes irritated skin.
  • Arbutin: this is a natural skin-brightening agent that reduces melanin production especially in lighter skin tones.
  • Hydroquinone: inhibits melanin production. We may use this prescription only medicine for limited periods in Melasma treatments for suitable patients.

Please note that we only use prescription only medications for Melasma treatment if we deem them safe, appropriate and acceptable for the patient.

Regain Confidence with Personalised Melasma Treatments

Although Melasma is often hard to treat, we believe our tailored approach can help find the best solution for you. We use active and prescription skincare ingredients (where appropriate) for Melasma treatment to help even out your complexion and give you smoother brighter skin. Whether you require our once daily MLS or twice-daily MLS+, your doctor will ensure that your treatment is always centred on your skin condition, health, goals and wishes.

Melasma Treatment at City Skin Clinic

We are passionate about providing personalised and effective Melasma treatments which are tailored to your individual skin problems. Our approach to treatment for Melasma combines personalised skincare protocols and powerful prescription strength ingredients.

Melasma Treatment Fees (3 Month Supply)

  • VIRTUAL CONSULTATION£30

    Our expert doctor will design a personalised treatment for you and provide ongoing support. The cost of the consultation will be deducted from your first treatment.

  • MLS£90

    Standard treatment (30g) for mild to moderate Melasma. Used nightly.

  • MLS+£150

    This is an advanced treatment for severe Melasma hyperpigmentation. It comes as two products (day and night treatment). MLS+ is typically used for no more than 6 months consecutively. Each bottle contains 30g of treatment.

Treatment Time Clock

Treatment Time
15 Minutes

Duration of effect calendar

Duration of effect
3-4 Months

Back to work briefcase

Back to Work
Same Day

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The journey to great skin starts here. Start your online consultation for personalised prescription-strength skincare.

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Why Choose City Skin Clinic?

At City Skin Clinic, our primary focus is you. This is why we offer the choice of a form or video consultation with a doctor to discuss your concerns and goals. Here are some of the reasons people across the UK choose our Melasma treatments:

Video or Form Consultations: Personalisation is built into our DNA! Your journey starts with choice of either a detailed form consultation or in-depth video consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors. Which type you choose is totally up to you and your availability or preferences. Whatever consultation type you choose, you will always get a personalised treatment plan. Your doctor will review your concerns and wishes, evaluate your skin and develop a treatment that’s unique to you.

Dedicated Aftercare: From the initial consultation to follow-up, our team is with you every step of the way. Your doctor will provide advice, tailored treatments and support.

Convenience: Our Melasma treatments are all offered through our online clinic. Get personalised skincare from the comfort of your own home. All treatments are delivered straight to your home.

Personalised skincare that actually works and why you should use city skin clinic online skincare dermatology clinic

Achieving clear, healthy and radiant skin is possible with the right active and where appropriate prescription strength treatment for melasma. Start your journey to great skin with an online consultation with one of our doctors today.

Start Your Online Consultation

The journey to great skin starts here. Start your online consultation for personalised prescription-strength skincare.

Start Consultation

Frequently asked questions

No it is not. We are really passionate about putting you in control of your treatment. Everyone responds differently and we may adjust your treatment formula after completing each course based on how your skin responds. That's why we don't think subscriptions make sense for a personalised journey. We leave it up to you to let us know when you need a refill and we make it very easy to order these.

We encourage all our patients to express any preferences they have in terms of treatment during the consultation. Wherever possible we will respect and accommodate these as long as we feel it is medically safe and beneficial to do so. Ultimately our aim is to provide you with the best solution for your concern and we'll design your treatment to achieve that.

This depends on how frequently you use it and how much you use. In general if used as instructed then the treatment should last 3 months for use on the face and neck. Please note that compounded treatments always have an expiry date of 3 months.

All our treatments are custom made for each patient and so suitable for most skin types. Your doctor will choose the best and safest ingredients based on your skin type, sensitivity and needs.

This depends on the severity of your melasma and the specific treatment plan. However, many of our patients begin to see improvements within 6-8 weeks. This does vary person to person.

No, our treatments for melasma do not require any downtime. You can immediately resume your normal activities whilst using the skincare products. There is however a potential for irritation, dryness of skin and purging when you first use them. This is temporary but we advise starting the products with some time away from important events such as a wedding or photo shoot.

Some ingredients, such as hydroquinone and Tretinoin, are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. As such we recommend holding off treatment if you currently are or planning to be pregnant or breastfeeding in the immediate future.

Melasma can return if the skin is exposed to the same conditions that caused it initially, such as sun exposure or hormonal changes. To maintain your results, it's important to continue protecting your skin, even after your hyperpigmentation has improved. We also recommend using MLS regularly to build on and maintain your results.

Some ingredients such as Tretinoin and hydroquinone, can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, we highly recommend daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen as part of your skincare routine.

Yes, the treatments we offer can also address other skin concerns, such as acne, scars and fine lines. Your doctor will work with you to address your skin's specific needs and goals.

We can only offer treatments after a consultation with a doctor as they may use prescription medicines in the formula if they feel it is appropriate for you. This ensures that the treatment is safe for you to use and that it meets your treatment goals. Your doctor will also be able to answer any questions you have and provide you with a personalised treatment plan so you get the most out of your treatment and avoid irritation or side-effects.

Yes. We offer either online consultation forms or video appointments. Whatever option you choose, you will have the same doctor dedicated to you throughout your treatment and get a personalised experience.

You will have direct access to your doctor by email so you can ask questions, get advice and let them know if you have any problems.

No, you just need to reach out to your doctor by email and they will arrange your follow up. This maybe by email or a virtual video follow up depending on the problem.

Absolutely not. We never charge for any follow up or aftercare. You can contact your doctor at any time for advice, updates and any issues.

Nope! All our prices are as listed on the website. The fees also include delivery.

These will depend on the composition of your treatment and will be explained in more detail by your doctor. For example if a treatment contains Tretinoin and/or Hydroquinone these can cause some initial skin irritation including redness and peeling. This is usually temporary and subsides as your skin adjusts to the product. You may also experience purging. Always use sun protection especially while using Tretinoin and/or Hydroquinone, as they can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and lead to rebound hyperpigmentation. For more info visit the individual ingredient pages.

We have different options in terms of the cream and use the one we feel is best for the patient's skin and the active ingredients we're using. Below are the ingredients for the main bases we use.

Light hydrating base: Purified water, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, isohexadecane, isododeccane, stearyl behenate, cetyl alcohol, polyacrylate-13, polysorbate 60, PEG-75 stearate, polyisobutene, c13-c15 alkane, polyurethane-39, tocopheryl acetate, ascorbic acid, sodium bisulfite, benzoic acid (0.1%), sorbic acid (0.1%), polysorbate 20.

Emolliating (sensitive/dry skin) base: Aqua, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Propanediol, Undecane, Tridecane, HEA/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Polysorbate 80, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Propanediol, Rutin & Hydroxycinnamic Acid {from Cleome gynandra leaf extract}, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bisabolol, Edetate Disodium Dihydrate, Simethicone, Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Salt, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Flower Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosemarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.

Compounded treatments like the ones we use are unlicensed medications because they are custom-made for each patient based on a specific formulation tailored to their unique needs. Unlike licensed medications, which are approved by regulatory bodies for general use, compounded treatments are created by pharmacists to meet the specific requirements of an individual patient as prescribed by their doctor. While they do not undergo the same approval process as licensed medications, they offer a personalised approach that can address specific concerns where a licensed treatment doesn't exist effectively under professional supervision.