Melasma Treatment in Seoul
Yaan Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Melasma is a common, recurring pigmentation condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, often triggered by sun and hormones. At Yaan Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, melasma is managed aesthetically with gentle, low-energy laser toning in the Personal Brightening program, alongside strict sun protection. Improvement is gradual, and maintenance is usually needed.
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Melasma is a chronic pigmentation disorder in which overactive pigment cells produce excess melanin, creating symmetrical brown or gray-brown patches, most often on the cheeks, forehead, nose and upper lip. At Yaan Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, melasma treatment is one of the areas where our aesthetic laser care is genuinely relevant, and we approach it cautiously, because melasma can worsen with aggressive treatment.
Good to know: Melasma has no permanent cure; it can be controlled and lightened, but often returns with sun, heat or hormonal change. Prescription treatments such as hydroquinone, triple-combination creams or oral tranexamic acid should be prescribed and monitored by a board-certified dermatologist or your own doctor. Any new or unusual dark patch should be checked by a dermatologist.
What is melasma?
Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation that appears as flat, symmetrical, blotchy brown patches on sun-exposed areas of the face. It is especially common in women and in people with medium to darker skin tones, including many East Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American patients.
Melasma can be epidermal (pigment near the surface), dermal (deeper), or mixed. Deeper pigment tends to respond more slowly. Unlike freckles or sun spots, melasma is driven by an ongoing tendency of the pigment cells to overreact, which is why it behaves differently under treatment.
What causes melasma?
The main triggers are ultraviolet and visible light, heat, hormones (pregnancy, oral contraceptives, hormone therapy) and genetics. Skin irritation and inflammation can also make it darker.
- Sun and visible light – even brief daily exposure can darken melasma.
- Heat – saunas, cooking and hot climates can aggravate it.
- Hormones – "the mask of pregnancy" is a common form.
- Irritation – harsh scrubs, strong peels or aggressive lasers can trigger rebound pigmentation.
What melasma treatment does Yaan Clinic offer in Seoul?
Yaan Clinic treats melasma with Personal Brightening, a customized combination of a Pico laser, a V laser and LDM Recovery Therapy. Yaan lists melasma first among the program's targets and adjusts settings for sensitive skin.
Pico laser (low-energy toning)
Yaan's Pico laser has Pico and Nano modes and four wavelengths (1064, 532, 595 and 660 nm). For melasma, doctors typically use low-energy "toning", in which gentle, even passes break up pigment gradually without provoking inflammation. Yaan's equipment also includes the Picoplus picosecond laser and the Revlite SI pigment laser, both listed for melasma. Learn more on our Pico toning and laser toning pages.
V laser
Melasma often has a vascular (redness) component. The V laser targets hemoglobin, with 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths and a Genesis mode that warms skin to about 40–43°C. In Yaan's FAQ, the V laser is not always needed; your doctor adds it when redness is part of the picture.
LDM Recovery Therapy
Yaan uses LDM Recovery Therapy as soothing aftercare, which matters for melasma because calming the skin reduces the risk of rebound pigment.
How do melasma treatment options compare?
Most people do best with a combination: daily sun protection, medical topical or oral treatment where appropriate, and gentle laser toning. Aggressive single treatments carry more risk of rebound.
| Approach | Role in melasma | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Broad-spectrum sunscreen (ideally tinted, for visible light) | Essential foundation; prevents darkening | You, every day |
| Prescription creams (e.g. hydroquinone, triple combination) | Lighten pigment | Dermatologist or your doctor |
| Oral tranexamic acid | Used for stubborn melasma in selected patients | Dermatologist, with medical screening |
| Low-energy Pico or laser toning | Gradual lightening over a series | Aesthetic clinic such as Yaan |
| Vascular laser (V laser) | Reduces redness component | Aesthetic clinic such as Yaan |
How many sessions does melasma treatment take?
Yaan Clinic does not publish a fixed number of sessions; melasma usually needs a series of gentle treatments followed by maintenance. Yaan shows before-and-after photos at three months, which reflects the gradual nature of improvement.
Yaan's FAQ notes that whether pigment returns depends on its cause. For melasma, recurrence is common, especially after summer, so many patients plan occasional maintenance sessions.
Is there downtime after laser toning for melasma?
Yaan states that patients can return to daily activities immediately after Personal Brightening. Some people notice mild redness for a short time. Sun protection afterwards is essential.
For international patients: Melasma responds to a series, so one visit to Seoul is a start rather than a full course. If you visit Korea regularly, schedule sessions on each trip, and ask your doctor about at-home care to continue in between. See downtime and flying home.
How much does melasma treatment cost at Yaan Clinic in Seoul?
At Yaan Clinic, pigment laser treatment starts at ₩100,000 for a V-laser session, and Pico toning costs ₩150,000 per session. Most pigmentation needs a series, so the total depends on your plan.
| Treatment at Yaan Clinic | 2026 guide price (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Pico toning, 1 session | 150,000 |
| V-laser (vessels, pigment, redness), 1 session | 100,000 |
| Pico Fraxel, 1 session | 150,000 |
| LDM, 1 session | 80,000 |
| 3D Meta-Vu skin analysis | 100,000 |
Personal Brightening combines Pico laser, V laser and LDM, so its price is built from these items and confirmed at consultation. International patients pay the same price as Korean patients, and your final price is confirmed at consultation. The consultation fee (10,000 KRW, or 30,000 KRW including a director consultation) is waived if you go ahead with a treatment. See the Pico toning price guide or the full Yaan Clinic price list.
How can you prevent melasma from getting worse?
Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, reapply outdoors, use a hat and avoid heat such as saunas. Avoid harsh scrubs and do not combine many strong brightening products without advice.
For related concerns, read our pigmentation guide and our dull and uneven skin tone page. Every plan at Yaan begins with a 3D Meta-Vu skin analysis performed with our physicians.
Frequently asked questions
Can melasma be cured permanently?
Melasma has no permanent cure, but it can usually be lightened and controlled. It often returns with sun, heat or hormonal changes, so daily sun protection and occasional maintenance are important. Your doctor will set realistic expectations at consultation.
Which laser does Yaan Clinic use for melasma?
Yaan uses Personal Brightening, which combines a Pico laser (Pico and Nano modes, four wavelengths) for pigment with a V laser for redness when needed, followed by LDM Recovery Therapy. Yaan's equipment also includes the Picoplus and Revlite SI pigment lasers.
Can laser make melasma worse?
Yes, aggressive or high-energy treatment can inflame the skin and cause rebound darkening. That is why melasma is usually treated with gentle, low-energy toning over several sessions, combined with strict sun protection. Your doctor will adjust settings to your skin.
Should I also see a dermatologist for melasma?
It is a good idea, especially if you want prescription creams or oral tranexamic acid, which need medical screening and follow-up. A dermatologist can also confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of dark patches. Laser toning at Yaan can complement that care.
Can I have melasma treatment while pregnant?
Melasma often appears during pregnancy, and many treatments, including some prescription creams, are avoided at that time. Many people wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Discuss your situation with your obstetrician and your Yaan doctor before treatment.
How much does melasma treatment cost at Yaan Clinic?
At Yaan Clinic, Pico toning costs ₩150,000 per session and V-laser ₩100,000 per session, with LDM at ₩80,000. Melasma usually needs a series, so your total depends on the plan confirmed at consultation. International patients pay the same price as Korean patients.
Related pages
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About this information: Prepared from Yaan Clinic's published treatment information. Treatments at Yaan Clinic are performed by licensed physicians — meet our doctors. Last updated: October 2026. This page is general information, not a substitute for an in-person medical consultation; suitability, dosage and results are confirmed by your doctor.
