Melasma Treatment
Melasma is one of the most stubborn skin conditions to treat—and one of the most emotionally frustrating. These dark, patchy areas often appear on the cheeks, forehead, or upper lip and can be exacerbated by heat, hormonal fluctuations, and even well-meaning skincare products. But at Little Laser Clinic in Long Island City, we take a gentle, clinically informed approach to treating melasma, including in patients with skin of color or sensitive skin.
Christine Chen, PA-C, brings over a decade of experience in dermatology and aesthetics to each case. She’s treated hundreds of patients with melasma, many of whom were misdiagnosed or mistreated elsewhere. Using a combination of pigment-safe laser technology, topical treatments, and peels like the VI Peel Precision Plus, she helps patients improve clarity and tone—without risking rebound pigmentation.
Designed to prevent rebound pigmentation or irritation, and works gradually with long-term pigment control in mind
Treats brown patches on cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and chin
Options include non-ablative laser, VI Peel, topicals, and pigment-correcting skincare
Treatments have low to no downtime
Melasma is a chronic skin condition that causes brown or grayish patches on the face. It’s most common in women, particularly during or after pregnancy, but it can affect anyone, even those with medium to dark skin tones. Melasma is triggered by hormones, heat, sun exposure, and inflammation, which makes it tricky to treat without causing more pigment.
That’s why melasma care at Little Laser Clinic focuses on long-term management. We don’t just lighten the surface pigment—we address the underlying inflammation and help you protect your skin from future flare-ups. Treatment often involves:
Christine will build your plan based on your skin tone, history, and triggers.
Your first visit includes a comprehensive skin assessment, a review of your medical history, and a detailed examination of your melasma pattern. Christine will identify whether your pigment is epidermal, dermal, or mixed and recommend a plan to safely treat it over time.
Treatments may include:
Each procedure is spaced and adjusted based on your skin’s response. Christine takes a slow, steady approach to avoid exacerbating the pigment, which can occur when melasma is treated too aggressively.
Unlike treatments that temporarily fade pigment only to make it worse later, our melasma plans aim for stable, sustainable improvement. Benefits include:
When done correctly, melasma treatment not only improves how your skin looks—but also how it behaves under daily stress.
You may not be a candidate if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or unable to avoid sun exposure during the treatment window. But we’ll work with you to find safe options and set expectations for your specific case.
Melasma treatment at Little Laser Clinic is ideal for:
Most pigment treatments have low to no downtime, though the skin may experience temporary redness, dryness, or mild peeling—especially with VI Peel or topical retinoids.
To support healthy healing and reduce the risk of rebound pigment, Christine will guide you through:
Recovery is more about routine than rest—so while you won’t need time off, you will need to follow your protocol closely for the best results.
Most patients begin to notice a more even tone and reduced patchiness within 2–4 weeks of starting treatment. For deeper melasma or mixed pigment, visible changes often develop gradually over several months.
Melasma is a chronic condition, so results are maintained—not cured. With ongoing care, sun protection, and occasional touch-up treatments, many clients enjoy long periods of clear, calm skin.
Christine will work with you to adjust your skincare and in-office plan seasonally or as needed so you’re always one step ahead of flare-ups.
Melasma is often misunderstood, even in clinical settings. At Little Laser Clinic, Christine Chen, PA-C, brings years of experience in dermatology and pigment management to each case. She’s treated hundreds of patients with melasma and PIH, especially in skin of color, and knows how to safely work with pigment instead of against it.
Her approach is conservative, evidence-based, and tailored to your exact triggers and skin tone. You won’t find quick fixes or harsh treatments here—just thoughtful care and real strategies for long-term improvement.
No, melasma is a chronic condition, but with the right treatment and ongoing maintenance, it can be well-controlled and kept from returning aggressively.
Melasma is hormonally triggered and often symmetrical, while sun damage is caused by UV exposure and appears more randomly. Christine can distinguish between the two during your consultation and skin evaluation.
Yes, but only certain lasers are safe and effective. At Little Laser Clinic, we use pigment-safe settings and devices specifically chosen to reduce the risk of rebound pigment.
Yes, the VI Peel Precision Plus is formulated to improve melasma safely, especially when used in a series alongside proper skincare and sun protection.
Yes. Christine specializes in treating skin of color and customizes all treatments to minimize irritation and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Most clients see improvement in 2–4 weeks, with continued fading over several months. Full results often take a combination of treatments and skincare.
In some cases, yes—usually in short, controlled bursts. Christine often combines it with non-hydroquinone options to reduce the risk of side effects.
Heat, sun exposure, and irritating products can worsen melasma. Christine will guide you on what to skip in your routine and how to protect your progress.
Yes. Hormonal shifts from birth control or pregnancy can worsen melasma. We’ll factor this into your treatment plan if relevant.
Christine will recommend long-term skincare products (like antioxidants and pigment inhibitors), occasional maintenance treatments, and daily SPF to help prevent flare-ups.
