Melasma & Pigmentation Treatment in Orlando

Melasma is not the same thing as sun spots, and treating it as though it were is the most common reason people spend money on pigmentation without getting anywhere. The patches are usually symmetrical — across the cheeks, the forehead, the upper lip or the bridge of the nose — and they are driven by hormones and light as much as by sun. That changes what works. At One Aesthetics in College Park, we treat melasma as something to manage well over time rather than erase in a session.

What makes melasma different

Sun spots are the discrete, freckle-like marks that come from years of UV exposure. They sit relatively near the surface and tend to respond quickly. Melasma sits deeper, behaves less predictably, and is fed by three things at once: ultraviolet light, visible light, and hormones.

Pregnancy, the contraceptive pill and hormone therapy are all common triggers, which is why melasma is far more common in women, and why it can appear in someone who has been careful in the sun their whole life. Heat is a trigger too — hot yoga, saunas, even a steamy kitchen can set it off. In Florida, that matters more than most places.

Why the device matters more here than almost anywhere else

Melasma is one of the few skin conditions where the wrong treatment can leave you worse than when you started. Aggressive lasers, overly deep peels, and anything that creates significant heat at the surface can provoke the exact pigment response you are trying to settle. That risk is higher on deeper skin tones, where melanin near the surface absorbs more of the energy.

We use the Aerolase Neo Elite, an FDA-cleared 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. The longer wavelength is absorbed far less by surface melanin than the shorter wavelengths many devices use, and its 650-microsecond pulse delivers energy faster than heat can spread into surrounding tissue. That combination is what makes it appropriate for melasma across Fitzpatrick types I to VI. It is not risk-free — no laser is, on any skin tone — which is why your provider assesses your skin and your history before anything is switched on.

How we actually treat it

A single treatment rarely holds melasma. What works is a layered plan, and the order of importance matters:

• Daily protection, including visible light. Broad-spectrum SPF is the floor, not the ceiling — standard sunscreen does little against visible light, which is a genuine melasma trigger. We usually recommend a tinted mineral sunscreen containing iron oxides. This is the single highest-impact thing you will do, and it costs you nothing from us to know it.

• Aerolase Neo Elite sessions, spaced several weeks apart, to settle existing pigment without provoking more.

• Medical-grade topicals, working continuously between sessions to slow pigment production.

• Chemical peels, used conservatively, and only where your skin type and history make them appropriate.

Notice the order. Most places lead with peels. For melasma, daily protection and the right wavelength do more of the work — and are far less likely to set you back.

What we will not promise you

Melasma is managed, not cured. It is chronic and relapsing by nature; that is the medical description of the condition, not pessimism about your case. A good plan can lighten the patches substantially and keep them quiet for long stretches. A hard summer, a pregnancy, or a change in hormonal medication can bring it back, and that is not a failure of the treatment.

We would rather tell you that at the consultation than after you have paid for a series. Anyone promising to clear melasma permanently is either misinformed or hoping that you are. Individual results vary.

What to expect

Your first visit is a complimentary consultation. We look at your skin properly, take your history — including medications and any previous treatment that went badly — and give you a written plan with an exact quote. No pressure, and no obligation to book anything.

Most people start with a short series spaced a few weeks apart, with topicals and sun protection running underneath the whole time. Improvement is gradual and cumulative; this is not a condition where one session changes everything. Maintenance is part of the plan from the beginning rather than an upsell later.

Frequently asked questions

Can melasma be cured?

No — and be cautious of anyone who tells you otherwise. Melasma is managed. With the right plan and consistent sun protection it can improve a great deal and stay quiet for long periods, but the underlying tendency remains.

Will it come back?

It can. Pregnancy, hormonal medication, a hot summer, or a lapse in daily protection are the usual reasons. That is exactly why maintenance and sun protection matter more here than with almost any other pigmentation concern.

Is laser safe for melasma on brown or dark skin?

With the right wavelength, yes. The Aerolase Neo Elite's 1064 nm is designed and validated for Fitzpatrick I to VI. But melasma specifically rewards a conservative hand, and the wrong device or settings can worsen it on any skin tone. Your provider assesses your skin before treating.

Is sunscreen really that important?

It is the single most important part of the plan. And standard sunscreen alone is not enough — visible light drives melasma too, which is why we recommend a tinted mineral formula containing iron oxides.

I developed melasma during pregnancy. Will it fade on its own?

Sometimes it does, within several months of giving birth or stopping hormonal medication. If it has not settled by then it is worth treating. We will also talk through what is appropriate if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, because some options are not.

Book a consultation

If pigmentation has been bothering you — or a previous treatment made it worse — bring that to a consultation. It is complimentary and private, and you are under no obligation to book anything. Our licensed medical providers are rated 4.9 stars across 285+ Google reviews.

649 Vassar St, Orlando, FL 32804 · Call (321) 972-3686 · Text (407) 782-8775

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