Is IPL a good option to treat melasma on Asian skin?

IPL would not be the recommended treatment for Melasma and specifically asian skin. The intense pulse light can actually trigger the Melasma to become worse. While there is no cure for Melasma there are some lasers/treatments that can help improve the condition. A better alternative for you would be a combination of medical grade lightening topicals and a series of Pico Genesis treatments.

Great question... and as you may be realizing melasma is one of the more difficult conditions to treat. In my practice we do exactly what you are doing- hydroquinone and chemical peels. There are a variety of peels and some work better then others so you may want to try different peels.

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis. We see atrophic and hypertrophic scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to discuss the best treatment options for your type of skin. .

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

IPL would not be my first choice in this case. We offer lasers that tend to work better on melasma in our Asian patients. The Clear + Brilliant is an excellent first-line treatment, while picosecond lasers can also be used safely and successfully for this challenging condition. I encourage you to schedule an in-person assessment with an experienced, board-certified dermatologist who has expertise treating both melasma and Asian skin tones. With a full examination and customized treatment plan, you should see a very good result.

IPL IS NOT the treatment for Melasma and especially no in asian skin, please see na expert. Cosmelan and clear and brilliant is for you, with Aerify Kit monthly and really good skincare (see link).

this is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation/melasma/discoloration that needs cosmelan or enlighten peels at home which we can do virtually and send to your home along with aerify peels regularly, vivatia foam, restorsea 10x, faith essence serum, and cosmelan 2 cream.

Hyperpigmentation from any type needs a combination approach of peels like cosmelan, enlighten and aerify,  lasers like clear and brilliant and aerolase or laser genesis, radiofrequency like venus viva, and constant skin care and sun protection.  Bimonthly facials with silk peel dermalinfusion is essential to hydrate, exfoliate and infuse vitamins and antioxidants into the skin.  If you have acne you can do additional treatments and peels to get more improvement.  I suggest a formal consultation with an expert in lasers and peels. Best, Dr. Emer.

IPL is not a good choice for the treatment of melasma plus, it’s riskier in any body who is darker . Fitzpatrick 4,5,6 are not candidates for IPL Treatment.

Hello MP27. IPL is never a good option for Melasma, regardless of the skin type. We’ve been treating it for 16 years and have IPL, q-switched lasers and fractional lasers.

Melasma is a chronic (non-curable) condition related to hormone fluctuations. Using light based devices may render short term improvement of the Melasma (a month or less), but when it returns it is often worse because if laser or IPL treatment.

Light based devices are more expensive and riskier treatments that hydroquinone and they don’t yield better outcomes.

IPL for melasma is not the first choice for any skin type. IPL is a light based treatment that looks for pigment and can actually make melasma worse. I would continue to do light chemical peels but also
include a Retinol with prescription 4% Hydroquinone and be very cognizant with sun exposure and sun protection. We prefer to use sun protection that contains the mineral zinc.

IPL can be used on some asian skin but the settings will have to be extremely precise to avoid further discoloration of the skin. If you have discrete dots of pigment, you may be better served with a q-switched Nd-Yag laser to individually laser the dots. Hope this helps!


Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon​

IPL is not an option I would recommend for melasma, particularly given your skin type as it can actually cause a worsening of melasma. Using hydroquinone is a good first step, but keep in mind that topical products can take some time to work, so give those products at least 3-4 months before you start seeing results. If you are looking for a device treatment to supplement your home-use products, treatments with the PicoSure laser are effective for patients with melasma. This laser has been studied in Asian skin types and has shown to be both safe and effective.