10 Ways to Manage Dark Spots of Melasma | Dermatologist Explains

Dark spots, melasma and hyperpigmentation can be very frustrating. Pigmentary disorders are one of the most difficult conditions to treat especially in my patients who are skin of color (African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos/Latinas and Asians).
Hope these 10 tips help!

#skincareroutine #dermatologist #drsugaiexplains #skincarehacks #skincare #skincareroutine #evidencebasedmedicine #hyperpigmentation #pigmentation #darkspots #melasma #azelaicacid #retinol #vitamincserum

Hope this helps and thank you to my 500K friends here on YouTube!

Products mentioned:

Retinoids with Niacinamide
Olay Retinol 24 Serum

Olay Retinol 24 + Peptide Cream

La Roche Posay Retinol B3
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet

Vitamin C Serums
SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic

DRMTLGY VIT CE+F serum

Maelove The Glow Maker

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF

SkinBetter Alto

Tinted sunscreen
CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sheer Tint SPF30

ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Ageless Tinted

DRMTLGY Universal Tinted Moisturizer SPF46
Use code DRSPF20

EltaMD UV Elements

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted

MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Creme

Vichy Capital Soleil Tinted

Azelaic acid products
Cos De Baha Azelaic Acid serum

Naturium Azelaic Acid Emulsion

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid

The Inkey List Azelaic Acid 10%

Miscellaneous
La Roche Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector

Sente Cysteamine HSA

Heliocare

Heliocare Advanced with Nicotinamide

La Roche Posay Glycolic B5

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:31 What is Melasma?
01:31 Retinoids
03:56 Vitamin C Serums
05:32 Tinted Sunscreens
07:32 Hydroquinone
09:44 Cysteamine
10:30 Heliocare
11:23 Chemical peels
12:28 Tranexamic acid
13:41 Combination of tyrosinase inhibitors
14:45 Azelaic acid

Please check out my Amazon storefront for categorized skin care products that I recommend:



and on

Disclaimer: This video is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment with your healthcare professional. This is for medical educational purposes only. As an Amazon Associate/Influencer, Shop My Shelf, Reward Style Affiliate, DRMTLGY, Stylevana, SkinBetter Science and SkinStore Affiliate Partner I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also a physician advisor for cocokind, Versed and Revela

[chiquita]

I've struggled with melasma since my thirties (I'm 47) and it has been a journey! My current skincare routine targets it and I will continue it as long as I keep seeing results... I've spent a lot of money throughout the years trying products on my combo - mostly dry skin...

[daisyrosario]

For me
Hydroquinone doesn't work!
It actually darkens my melasma
and my dermatologist suspended it's use!

[LuciannaQuayle]

Would you make a video about a skin care routine products to use from morning to night time for melasma please? Thank you xx

[YolandaHales]

My melasma has put me in a deep depression it's not all Over my face but around my mouth and chin area. I am A.
Light brown skin African American.
And it is noticeable because I am light On some areas of my face and then dark around my mouth.. I have looked up a lot of things but have been afraid to try.. Not many dermatologists in my area where I live and the ones that are here are so hard to get in to see.. I think I want to try. A couple of things you suggested ..I think it was the Alpharet and cereve.. I'll see how it works.I'm going to look for the link.You said we'll be at the bottom so that I can order.. Thank you so much

[Ginny]

Please warn people about the dangers of using the retinal serum around the eyes because of the possibility of damaging the meibomian gland and causing dry eyes. This is what happened to me.

[db-gbxi]

A less expensive version of cysteamine is from Urban Skin RX. There's also Cyspera and APC but I've definitely seen other skincare channels recommend the Sente and Urban Skin RX. Isdin and Summer Ready also have polypodium supplements I've seen recommended by another derm.

[LorraineCastellon-Rowe]

This is an amazing list of creams and serums.I will take this list to my dermatologist to see which would work best for me. Thank you very much for all of this in depth info!!

[TammySue]

Hell Dr. Sugai, ive been on a consistent routine for yrs and the products you mention are perfect. I start my day with vit c, tranexamic acid, and sunscreen. Evening is Tretinion, azelaic acid and sunscreen. I also have hydroquinone, my derm started me on for 3 months then just the weekends now. My melasma has never looked better, also i find using tranexamic acid and azelaic acid together makes a big difference. Ty for your videos, your advice is much appreciated.

[truthseeker]

You have a lot of knowledge Dr. Daniel.
I appreciate your video so much!

[sabahat]

Vitamin C serums worsen my malasma. I have tried many different brands and strengths but nothing gives positive results. Also I have hyper pigmentation around my mouth. Vitamin C serum always seems to darken it more. Any suggestions? I have combination skin that become dry in winters.

[judyholm]

When you are talking about sunscreens i am surprised that you only mention DRMTLGY's universal sunscreen and not their mineral one. Now that you have told us that the iron oxide in the tinted sunscreens helps block the blue light i have switched to the mineral since it does have more iron oxide. By the way, i am an older Irish gal and it isn't too dark for me and no orange cast.

[Chloe]

15 % azelaic acid is available over the counter outside of my US and even hydroquinone 4%.
Even tretinoin
I live in mauritius 🇲🇺

They are pretty cheap too

[Ourjourneytohealth]

I’m 29 years and gave birth 5 months ago. I started developing malasma. I’m very fair and it’s very noticeable on me. 😢 I just started using Tret. Hopefully this helps

[lucybelle]

Thank you! I find that my melasma is getting worse in perimenopause. Can hot flashes and hormonal fluctuations make it worse? I’m using retinol, vitamin c serum and lots of mineral sunscreen.

[lids]

PSA. I know this may not be a common side effect, but I started getting melasma after I started taken melatonin to help me sleep. I took it every night and didn't think much of it since it's supposed to be natural. My face was almost completely covered with melasma and it took me years to figure out what it was. I realized I started getting melasma around the time I started taking melatonin. I had also started taking 5-HTP. I did a Google search on melatonin and melasma and found one post where someone said they got melasma after starting taking it. I stopped taking the melatonin and my melasma started going away. It's taken a few years for it to fade and is now almost completely gone. Again, this doesn't seem to be a common side effect, but if anyone started noticing melasma after taking melatonin, they should try to stop taking it.
Edit: I have a light-medium olive skin tone.

[isagoldfield]

Thank You Dr. Sugai, this are all very helpful information💫🌷☀️

[Paulaserenity]

Can’t wait to treat my melasma when I’m done nursing my infant!

[inahmiyavlog]

hello doc morning im sensitive skin what is best for melasma for me.thank you so much..

[swineinny]

I see some on YouTube diagnosing this themselves, but it really should be diagnosed by a derm, right?

[Catapalooza]

To anyone thinking about using hydroquinone who also has a personal &/or family history of psychiatric issues (especially depression, ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder) or who has experienced a concussion/TBI or who has ever take a quinine-based antimalarial medication like Lariam (Mefloquine): PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do your research and ask your dermatologist (& psychologist, if you have one) to do theirs before you start using hydroquinone. Quinine-based drugs have been definitively linked to a life-altering condition called Quinism which results from toxins building up and damaging your brain & brain stem. And people, especially women, with existing head trauma and/or a history of psychiatric issues seem to be at a higher risk of experiencing those toxic effects. Now, there's no evidence that hydroquinone cream (in the amounts used on your face) has any effect on the brain of anyone BUT there's also no proof that it doesn't. So, if you might be at increased risk, find out what the symptoms & side effects of quinine poisoning look like and be extra careful. As someone whose life was thoroughly ruined by quinism, I can't emphasise enough that it's not something you want to deal with if you don't have to...