Melasma · Low Energy · Pacific Plaza
Pico laser for melasma has a narrow, supporting role: gentle passes can lighten pigment already laid down, but the overactive cells beneath stay active, and too much energy darkens the patch. Here is how Dr Sin Yong sets it at Atelier, and which patches are left alone.
Melasma is not a stain that stays put: its melanocytes over-react to ultraviolet and visible light, to heat and to hormones, so they go on making pigment after any session. A picosecond pulse breaks up melanin that is already deposited, mostly by a pressure effect (see the pico laser page). It does nothing to the signals that keep those cells busy.
Lightening lasts only while those triggers are held down, and an over-strong session is itself a heat trigger. The condition itself is described in the melasma condition guide; this page covers the laser alone.
At A Glance
Who It Suits
Melasma is diagnosed from its pattern, history and examination. Dr SY looks for symmetrical, map-like patches and asks about pregnancy, hormonal contraception, heat and family history. Sun spots, post-inflammatory marks and Hori's naevus can look similar and are handled differently.
Pico laser is considered when melasma has held steady on daily sun protection and topical care. Marked redness within a patch is dealt with before the pigment.
| Presentation | Pico laser now? | What happens instead, or first |
|---|---|---|
| Stable, on sun protection and topicals | Considered, conservatively | Test area, low energy, long gaps, a set end point; topicals alone if they are working |
| Flaring or spreading | Not yet | Sun protection and topical care settle it first |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding | Deferred | Sun protection now; laser discussed later |
| Recent peel, resurfacing or sunburn | Deferred | Wait for the barrier to recover |
| Darker after an earlier laser | Paused | Reassessed; no energy over darkened skin |
The Decision
The aim is the lowest energy that still breaks up pigment: a longer wavelength that surface melanin absorbs less, low fluence, a large spot and long intervals. A small test area may come first, checked after the weeks in which darkening would show.
Atelier's low-fluence laser toning remains central, and some people need no device; pico vs Q-switched laser compares the two pulse types. The full plan, including prescription options, sits on the melasma treatment page.
Dr Sin Yong holds a Key Opinion Leader appointment with DEKA.
On The Day
Afterwards
Day-to-day care is on the melasma treatment aftercare page. Between sessions, sun protection does most of the work: a broad-spectrum sunscreen that also covers visible light (tinted formulas with iron oxides), reapplied outdoors, plus a hat and shade. Cut back long spells in saunas or hot rooms, as heat alone can deepen melasma.
Risks
Treating melasma like a sun spot, with high energy, small spots, close sessions or work over a fresh tan, inflames melanocytes that are already overactive. Post-inflammatory pigment then settles on top, and weeks later the patch can look darker and wider. Toning the same area too often can leave pale, mottled spots that are hard to reverse.
If a patch darkens, the course stops and the skin is reassessed; more energy is not the fix. Pico laser complications explains each problem. A blister, an oozing crust or building pain needs a same-day call.
Atelier Aesthetics · Owned by AYA
9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza #12-01A, Singapore 228210 · +65 8023 7170
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