Dullness, melasma & uneven tone

Your skin colour comes from melanin, a pigment made by melanocytes in the skin's basal layer. Melanin is the skin's way of protecting itself: when exposed to sun, inflammation or hormonal effects, these cells work harder to shield the skin.

The problem begins when too much melanin is produced, or it gathers unevenly in a few areas. That's when you see brown spots, freckles, patches of melasma on the cheeks or marks left after a bout of acne. They look similar, but each has a very different origin and treatment. This is the most important thing we want you to remember from this page.

If you do only one thing after reading this page, let us look at your skin before you choose any product or treatment.

A Da Ký™ session is an unhurried one-to-one conversation with a member of the Claire team. We listen to your skin's story: when the darkening appeared, whether it gets darker in the sunny season or after giving birth, what you're using and how your skin reacts. Then we observe your skin directly.

This consultation helps distinguish melasma from brown spots, and superficial pigment from deeper pigment. That diagnosis decides almost the entire care plan afterwards, because some methods that work very well on brown spots can make melasma darker. That's why we never skip this step.

• Sunscreen every day, even indoors. For melasma, we usually prefer tinted sunscreen (containing iron oxides), because it also shields against visible light, which many ordinary sunscreens don't block. Apply enough, and reapply when you're out for long periods.
• Stabilise the skin barrier first. Irritated skin increases pigment more easily. So before adding brightening actives, we usually spend a few weeks helping the skin recover.
• Add tone-evening actives, one step at a time. Vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid and tranexamic acid are options with strong evidence. Retinoids help renew the epidermis. We'll choose with you based on your skin's sensitivity, adding only one new product at a time so you know what your skin reacts to.
• Prescription medication, when truly needed. For persistent melasma, a doctor may consider prescription topical or oral medication. These are effective but not for everyone, and need examination and regular monitoring. You shouldn't buy them and use them on your own.
• Be gentle and patient. If you have melasma, avoid rubbing, harsh peeling, saunas and high heat. Pigment usually takes a few months to change noticeably, so don't be discouraged if you see nothing in the first week.

At Claire, we work with cosmeceutical lines such as SkinCeuticals, ZO Skin Health, Obagi and Dermalogica, and only suggest a product when it truly suits your skin.

We believe that when you know all the options available, at Claire or elsewhere, you'll make the best decision for yourself.

If we see that your condition would be better treated with a device, a medication, another specialist's opinion or a surgical method, we'll gladly tell you. Claire always follows ethical medical aesthetic practice.

Some types of laser are safer for treating melasma. If needed, we can refer you to these options.