What should you know about kojic acid melasma before and after?

Melasma is a pattern of brown or grey-brown patches, often on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Kojic acid may reduce pigment formation at the surface, but melasma can be influenced by sunlight, visible light, hormones, heat, and irritation. Improvement may therefore be partial, gradual, or uneven rather than a complete disappearance.

A photograph can exaggerate or hide change when lighting, camera settings, makeup, tanning, or skin dryness differ. A darker appearance after starting care may reflect inflammation or renewed pigment, not a need for more product. Keep the comparison honest by using similar lighting and an untouched face.

Take occasional photographs in the same place and daylight, with the same angle and no makeup. Follow the label, use a gentle moisturiser, and protect the face from daylight with broad-spectrum sunscreen; a hat and shade can add practical protection. Avoid scrubbing, picking, or stacking irritating products because barrier damage can complicate melasma.

If the pattern is persistent or keeps returning, arrange a diagnosis before escalating treatment. Read about [Kojic Acid](/materials/kojic-acid/) and ask a clinician whether a supervised [Skin Brightening Treatment](/treatments/aesthetic-procedures/skin-brightening-treatment/) is appropriate for your skin.

See a clinician if the patch is one-sided, rapidly changing, itchy, painful, bleeding, crusted, or unlike your usual melasma. Seek help for facial swelling, blistering, or severe burning after application. Recurrent darkening, especially after irritation, may call for a gentler or different treatment plan.

Ask whether the pattern is melasma, how pregnancy or hormonal treatment may affect it, which light-protection measures matter most, and how to judge improvement without damaging the skin barrier.