Melasma Treatment in Milton, Ontario
Effective Solutions at Illustria Medical Aesthetics
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches, most often on the cheeks, forehead, nose, upper lip, and chin. It is sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy” because it frequently appears or worsens during pregnancy, but it affects many women (and some men) who are not pregnant.
Common triggers include:
- Sun exposure & UV light
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone replacement)
- Genetic predisposition
- Certain skincare products or medications
While melasma is harmless, the visible pigmentation can significantly affect confidence and quality of life.
What is Melasma
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches, most often on the cheeks, forehead, nose, upper lip, and chin. It is sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy” because it frequently appears or worsens during pregnancy, but it affects many women (and some men) who are not pregnant.
Common triggers include:
- Sun exposure & UV light
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone replacement)
- Genetic predisposition
- Certain skincare products or medications
While melasma is harmless, the visible pigmentation can significantly affect confidence and quality of life.
Melasma in Darker Skin Tones
Melasma is significantly more common, more stubborn, and more deeply seated in South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, Latinx, African, and Indigenous skin. In skin of colour, melasma is often mixed or dermal (pigment located deep in the skin), making it resistant to creams alone and highly prone to worsening with the wrong laser or chemical peel.
Traditional lasers (IPL, older Q-switched, fractional CO2) frequently cause severe post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or permanent scarring in richer skin tones — which is why many clinics still consider melasma in skin of colour “untreatable.”
At Illustria Medical Aesthetics in Milton, Dr. Leonora Ogbeide MD, CCFP specializes in safely and effectively treating melasma in darker skin types — the demographic that needs it most.
Gold-Standard Treatments for Melasma in Skin of Colour
Gold-Standard Treatments for Melasma in Skin of Colour
PicoSure Pro, The global platinum standard The only picosecond laser with Level-1 clinical evidence for melasma in skin types IV–VI.
- 755 nm wavelength safely targets pigment in darker skin
- Pressure-based (not heat) — dramatically lowers risk of PIH
- Clears both epidermal and stubborn dermal melasma
- Typical protocol: 4–6 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart
- Downtime: same day return to work; pigment darkens temporarily then flakes off in 7–10 days
Potenza RF Microneedling
Used alone or combined with PicoSure Pro when melasma is accompanied by texture concerns or deeper dermal pigment.
- Customizable depth and energy protects melanin-rich skin
- Improves tone, tightness and glow
- Downtime: 1–3 days of mild redness
Physician-Grade Skincare & Oral Tranexamic Acid
- Prescription brighteners tailored for skin of colour (cysteamine, azelaic acid, low-dose hydroquinone cycles)
- Mandatory tinted mineral sunscreen (non-whitening formulas)
- Low-dose oral tranexamic acid — highly effective and safe for hormone-driven melasma in darker skin
Recovery & Downtime
- PicoSure Pro: Virtually no downtime. Mild redness for a few hours; pigment may temporarily darken (“coffee-ground” effect) before flaking off in 5–10 days.
- Potenza: 24–72 hours of redness similar to a moderate sunburn; makeup can usually be worn after 24 hours.
- Sun protection is mandatory during the entire treatment course.
Recovery & Downtime
- PicoSure Pro: Virtually no downtime. Mild redness for a few hours; pigment may temporarily darken (“coffee-ground” effect) before flaking off in 5–10 days.
- Potenza: 24–72 hours of redness similar to a moderate sunburn; makeup can usually be worn after 24 hours.
- Sun protection is mandatory during the entire treatment course.
Why Patients in Milton Choose Illustria
- Physician-only treatments (never delegated to technicians)
- PicoSure Pro – the platinum standard for melasma worldwide
- Personalized combination protocols for faster, longer-lasting results
- Transparent pricing and realistic expectations
Ready to fade your melasma and regain even, glowing skin?
Book your consultation with Dr. Leonora Ogbeide today.
Book Melasma Consultation in Milton
Illustria Medical Aesthetics
Serving Milton, Campbellville, Oakville, Burlington,
Mississauga & Halton Region
Results may vary. A thorough consultation is required to determine the best melasma treatment plan for your skin type and concerns.
