18/02/2026
What makes melasma different from “regular pigmentation”?
• Pigment can sit in the epidermis, dermis, or both
• Melanocytes are hyper-responsive, not damaged
• It’s driven by biochemical signals, not just sun
Key triggers at a cellular level:
Hormones – oestrogen, progesterone, pregnancy, contraception
UV + visible light – especially heat and blue light
Inflammation – acne, aggressive treatments, barrier disruption
Vascular involvement – increased blood vessels fuel pigment activity
This is why melasma behaves the way it does:
• It darkens with heat, stress or sun
• It rebounds after harsh treatments
• It improves slowly with consistency, not force
Melasma isn’t a stain to remove it’s a regulation issue involving pigment cells, skin barrier, inflammation and vascular health.
Treat the environment, and the pigment follows 🤍
