Aligarh in May is unforgiving for melasma patients. Patches that had faded through winter come back darker by April. Patients ask us the same question every year: "What changed?" Nothing changed. The triggers are seasonal, and they're stronger than most over-the-counter sunscreens can handle.
Why melasma flares in summer
Three reasons, often happening together:
- UVA, the wavelength most responsible for melasma, penetrates clouds and window glass. You're getting it inside the car, behind the kitchen counter, even in the office.
- Visible light — the part you can see, not just UV — also stimulates melanocytes in darker skin types. Most chemical sunscreens don't block visible light.
- Heat itself is a trigger. The melanocyte responds to thermal stress, not just photo-stress. Hot showers, kitchen heat, hair styling tools — they all count.
What we use at the clinic
The protocol is layered. No single step does the work alone:
Sun protection that actually fits Indian summer
We move patients off chemical-only sunscreens and onto tinted mineral options — iron oxide tinted formulas block visible light along with UV. Reapplication every 2-3 hours is non-negotiable. Yes, it's a hassle. The patches care.
Topicals — supervised
A medically-supervised lightening trio (hydroquinone, retinoid, and a mild steroid in calibrated concentrations) remains the gold standard. The version sold over the counter is often unsafe — too much steroid, the wrong vehicle, no schedule. We taper patients off the steroid component as the patches respond.
In-clinic procedures
Q-switched Nd:YAG laser sessions, paired with strict photo-protection between visits, are how we shift stubborn pigment. We usually schedule 4-6 sessions, monthly, then maintenance every 8-12 weeks.
Melasma is a chronic condition we manage. We don't promise a permanent cure — anyone who does is selling something. We promise dramatic improvement and a sustainable maintenance plan.
What doesn't work
Random "lightening creams" off the chemist shelf — many contain unsafe steroid concentrations or unmonitored hydroquinone. Short-term result, long-term thinning of the skin. Stopping treatment when summer ends — that's how rebound happens. The maintenance protocol runs through winter, just at a lighter intensity.
If you've been managing melasma alone for years, this is the season to bring it into a clinical setting. We can usually offer a clear roadmap in a single consultation.
Found this useful?
