How to stop melasma from recurring after clearance with hydroquinone cream?

There are many precipitors for melasma and pigmentation. I would start with the Melarase Brightening Kit with Melapads, Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Replenish; followed by a combination of Covalent peels, Yag laser, and light fractional laser. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

It is important to totally protect your skin from the sun daily to prevent recurrence of melasma.  Maintenance with tretinoin cream or glycolic acid products can help. 

Melasma can not be completely cured, however effective treatment are possible. This is because your skin is extremely sensitive to UV and even the smallest amount can stimulate your pigment cells to produce colour. The mainstay of treatment is strict UV protection- hats, sunglasses and SPF every 4 hours.
I prefer to use a combination of creams and laser for melasma. Hydroquinone can be used (5-8%), along with vitamin A creams. I usually start my patients on laser (low dose Q switch or Picosure) a few weeks after they commence on creams. Another laser I use is the Clear and Brilliant in the Permea setting combined with creams.

In some cases I combine glycolic AHA peels, and in other cases I use a tablet called Tranexamic acid to help. Melasma treatments should be tailored to each patient.

All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Laser, surgical and aesthetic dermatologist. Brisbane, Australia