Melasma & Pigmentation: What Helps and What Makes It Worse
A practical map for melasma, post-inflammatory pigmentation and sun spots, and why the diagnosis changes the treatment.
Pigmentation · 8 min read · August 22, 2026
Not every brown patch is melasma
Pigmentation has different causes. What works for a sun spot may not be the right approach for melasma or post-inflammatory pigmentation, so color alone is not enough to choose a plan.
The fundamentals that keep coming back
- Daily sun protection is part of almost every pigmentation plan.
- Excessive irritation and inflammation can worsen pigmentation in some skin types.
- Consistent gradual treatment often matters more than one aggressive session.
- Topicals and procedures should be selected around the diagnosis, skin tone and tolerance.
With melasma especially, the most aggressive treatment is not always the strongest long-term strategy.
Medical references
Medical review
This guide was written and medically reviewed by Dr. Yousef Abo Zarad, a German board-certified specialist in Dermatology and Venereology.