What to expect from a chemical peel for melasma

Melasma produces brown or grey-brown patches, commonly on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. A peel can reduce some surface pigment and improve tone, but melasma is prone to reactivation from sunlight, heat, hormones, and irritation. A clinician may therefore plan a conservative treatment and combine it with a daily pigment-control routine. Learn more about [Melasma](/conditions/melasma/).

The face is cleansed before the solution is placed on selected areas. Tingling, warmth, tightness, and mild stinging are possible. Redness, dryness, fine flaking, or temporary darkening may occur during recovery. Stronger treatment is not automatically more suitable, particularly when the skin tends to mark after inflammation.

Tell the clinician about pregnancy or plans for pregnancy, hormonal medicines, sensitive skin, recent tanning, cold sores, and every product used for pigmentation. Avoid scheduling treatment over sunburn, an active rash, or recently irritated skin. Follow any instruction to pause retinoids, acids, or other exfoliants.

Afterward, use a gentle cleanser, bland moisturiser, and the recommended light protection. Hats, shade, and avoiding intense heat can help reduce reactivation. Do not peel flakes away or add unapproved brightening products while the barrier is fragile. Restart active treatments only when the clinician confirms the skin is ready.

Contact the treating clinic if you develop intense burning, notable swelling, blisters, raw skin, or worsening pain. Prompt assessment is needed for spreading redness, pus, or fever. Arrange review if patches become much darker, a rash persists, or the skin reacts repeatedly; continuing peels through active irritation can worsen colour changes.

Ask whether the pattern is consistent with melasma, what factors may reactivate it, which peel is appropriate for your skin tone, what light protection is needed, and what plan will maintain the result after recovery.