Melasma treatment for darker skin, in Battersea.

Melasma is currently considered a chronic, relapsing pigmentary condition rather than a curable one. Most patients can achieve substantial visible improvement with a consistent personalised programme of daily sun protection, prescribed topical agents, and selected in-clinic treatments, but recurrence after sun exposure, pregnancy, or hormonal changes is well-documented in the published literature. We will be honest about realistic expectations during your consultation. Our approach is to reduce the visible pigmentation, protect the result with rigorous sun-protection coaching, and provide a structured maintenance plan you can follow long-term.

Most lasers used for general pigmentation carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and rebound melasma in Fitzpatrick V to VI skin. Published guidance generally cautions against IPL and aggressive laser pigment-removal in darker skin types for melasma specifically. We do not lead with laser for melasma in Fitzpatrick V to VI. We lead with topicals, sun protection, low-strength superficial peels, polynucleotides, and where indicated microneedling with melanin-safe parameters.

We build a personalised plan from the following options: daily broad-spectrum SPF 50+ with visible-light coverage, prescribed topical depigmenting agents (tyrosinase inhibitors, retinoids, hydroquinone where appropriate), low-strength superficial chemical peels layered cautiously, polynucleotide injections for skin barrier and overall skin-quality support, microneedling with melanin-safe parameters, and, where indicated. Treatment is delivered by Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate, specialist in evidence-based aesthetic medicine for Skin of Colour. The exact protocol is tailored to your Fitzpatrick type, melasma subtype, hormonal triggers, and lifestyle factors.

Most patients begin to see gradual lightening of pigmentation between weeks four and eight of a consistent topical and sun-protection programme, with more visible change at twelve weeks if in-clinic treatments are added in. Melasma is slow by nature, the pigment sits in the dermal and epidermal layers and is influenced by sun, hormones, and inflammation. Photographic comparison at consistent lighting at the four-week and twelve-week mark is the most reliable way to track progress. Individual results vary.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are common melasma triggers, but the majority of in-clinic procedures and many prescribed topicals are not appropriate during these periods. We do not deliver chemical peels, polynucleotides, microneedling, or, during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We can offer a conservative skincare and sun-protection programme using pregnancy-safe ingredients, photographic monitoring, and a structured plan to resume in-clinic treatments once you have finished breastfeeding.

Arman Zaki, the founder and lead clinician of Melatone Skin Clinic, GMC-registered Physician Associate (Ref A8131967), MSc-qualified, NHS-trained. Arman offers personalised skin consultations across a wide range of conditions including melasma and other pigmentation disorders, and delivers microneedling, chemical peels, PRP, skin boosters, polynucleotides, and other regenerative skin solutions.