“How long before I can see results after starting melasma treatment in Singapore?” is the most common question posed by melasma patients to me, when they have decided to embark on a treatment journey.
Melasma is a complex skin pigmentary condition—its development and severity depend on a myriad of extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as excessive sun exposure, hormonal influence, age, and genetic predispositions [1].
What is MelasmaMelasma is an inherently tough skin pigmentation condition, often wrongly believed to be untreatable and unavoidable.
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Each melasma patient’s condition is often unique, requiring tailored treatments. Whilst some patients can begin seeing improvements within the first handful of treatment sessions, others may require a more intensive or combined approach to begin seeing improvements.
But, how long is too long? Have you been treating your melasma condition for more than a year, yet with no improvements in sight? Let’s first review 2 unique cases seen at One Face Clinic to address these burning questions.
| Case Study 1 | Case Study 2 |
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| She has been troubled by her severely dark melasma for 5 years. Treatment-wise, she has undergone 18 laser sessions regularly over 1.5 years at another clinic. In each session, 2-3 combined lasers were even used. Over 1.5 years, she mentioned that 1 side of the face got even darker. The other side had just mild improvement, and certainly couldn't be concealed by makeup. | She has been troubled by her severely dark melasma for 3 years. She has undergone monthly laser treatment for over 2 years; completed more than 20 sessions and still has leftover laser packages at another clinic. Over 2 years of treatment, she felt the maximum improvement she has ever achieved was just some mild lightening (~25% lighter according to her). She still could not conceal her melasma with makeup. |
One of the biggest challenges that we doctors face is the continuous commitment and compliance by patients to abide by their treatment in order to successfully treat their medical conditions. However, treatment compliance is not the main issue here with these 2 unrelated case studies who came to our clinic for a 2nd opinion.
| “Doctor, it is because I kept hoping and hoping that I can see some results with the next treatment and the next. Also, I didn't know what else I could do.” |
When I got to know about their treatment duration (1.5 to 2 years), I had the same remark to both of them separately, “Wow, you must be very patient to bear through such a long treatment duration, I don't think many can persevere for so long.” Both patients had similar, disheartening replies;
Let’s revisit the similarities of their melasma cases:
Many melasma patients like the above 2 case studies felt defeated eventually, after the long-drawn treatment battle– clouded by the belief that THEY ARE THE PROBLEM! This is NOT entirely true– no one’s skin is the ONLY problem, the treatment approach, however, may just simply be unsuitable for you. This probes the questions;
My answer to these questions is direct and simple:
A clinical study presents that the lightening of melasma by just topical creams like hydroquinone becomes evident after 5 - 7 weeks [2] of treatment. So no, lasers are not the only solution for every melasma patient.
Furthermore, you don't really need 2 years to see results, you don't need 1 year, you don't EVEN need over 6 months to see results with melasma treatment.
Melasma is a very treatable skin pigmentary issue, contrary to popular belief that it is beyond hope. Thus, if one is committed to seek treatment, one should not deserve to accept such unsightly patches on the face, that may significantly affect one’s self-esteem and quality of life.
From my clinical experience treating melasma over 15 years, provided that the melasma patients are suitable and willing to go through with the treatment regimen, it will take just 4 to 6 months on average for them to see progressive and obvious results. I refer to obvious results as an average range of 50% lightening of the melasma. This practically also means that you can at least conceal most of your melasma with the usual makeup.
Outside the average range, of course, some really fortunate patients can achieve obvious results faster in about 2-3 months of treatment OR can see almost total clearance of their melasma such that they don't even need makeup to conceal.
| So, if there is no obvious visible improvement or lightening to the melasma, say after 6 months of treatment, then perhaps it may be a good time to revisit the melasma issue and treatment regimen. |
Your treatment should certainly consider a holistic approach such as robust sun protection measures, topical cream treatments and lasers if required, under the correct medical guidance. Depending solely on lasers as a one-size-fits-all approach with no improvement in sight is a good indication the treatment is simply not working.
In addition, effective management for melasma should be comprehensive as well, such as:
| You don't need more than 6 months to see results with melasma treatment. |
One of the most heartbreaking takeaways from the 2 case studies is their collective opinions that their melasma cannot be saved. One of them had even thought of staying at home long term to minimise socialising or meeting people. Apart from the psychological impact, the money, efforts and time spent on their prior treatments have been wasted as well.
In most cases, if melasma patients are suitable and willing to go through with the treatment regimen, it will take just 4 to 6 months on average for them to see progressive and obvious results.
If you are struggling with melasma or pigmentations on your face, look for the RIGHT doctor and skincare team for real and sustainable results. There are experienced doctors available in Singapore who can certainly help you.
MBBS (Singapore)
GDFM (Singapore)
Dip. Pract. Dermatology (Cardiff)
Accredited by Singapore Medical Council for Medical
Aesthetics Procedures
Dr. David has more than 15 years of medical experience and has done over 30,000 aesthetics lasers and treatments under his belt.
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