Melasma & Hyperpigmentation Treatment in Los Angeles
Hyperpigmentation is a general term for patches of skin that appear darker than the surrounding area, caused by excess melanin production. It isn’t one condition — it includes melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and sun-related pigmentation, each with a different cause and a different treatment approach. Shiny Laser Skin Clinic has treated pigmentation concerns from Koreatown, Los Angeles since 2014, with particular experience in Asian and melanin-rich skin, where treatment selection carries real considerations that lighter skin tones don’t share to the same degree.
XEO
XEO is one of the laser platforms Shiny operates. Treatments are delivered with customized settings and preparation.
eCO2
CO2 laser is used for deeper resurfacing when appropriate. Whether it has a place in your plan is decided at a complimentary consultation.
Carboxytherapy
Carboxytherapy is one of the treatments offered at Shiny. Whether it has a place in your plan is decided at a complimentary consultation.
MEDLITE C6
MedLite, the original Q-Switched laser from ConBio, has long been known as the industry’s gold standard laser for multi-colored tattoo removal. MedLite C6 is also highly effective on a wide range of additional indications on all patient skin types.
REVLITE SI
Built on ConBio’s original Q-Switched laser technology, RevLite™ SI is a new-generation Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser, currently available in the US and Canada. Its multi-wavelength system provides greater efficacy, comfort and power.
ICON
The Icon™ Aesthetic System is the next generation of platform technology. Offering multiple devices in one machine, it enables aesthetic practitioners to provide a comprehensive suite of the most popular treatments, from hair removal to wrinkle reduction to scar and stretch mark treatment.
Melasma, PIH, and other pigmentation — why the distinction matters
Two patches of discoloration that look similar can have different causes, and the cause changes what a sound treatment plan looks like.
| Melasma | Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) | Sun-related pigmentation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical trigger | Hormonal — pregnancy, birth control, worsened by sun exposure | Skin injury or inflammation — acne, eczema, a cut, or a cosmetic procedure | Cumulative UV exposure over time |
| Appearance | Soft, symmetric, “smudged” patches without sharp borders | Marks that follow the shape of the original injury, often more clearly defined | Isolated spots, more clearly outlined than melasma |
| Common areas | Cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, upper lip | Wherever the original inflammation occurred | Sun-exposed areas — face, hands, chest |
| What that means for treatment | Tends to recur, especially with sun or hormonal triggers — generally managed over time rather than resolved in a single course | Often improves as skin naturally heals; treatment can speed that along, but addressing the original trigger matters too | Generally more stable once treated, with ongoing sun protection preventing new spots |
This table is educational, not a diagnostic tool. Which type — or combination — is present is a clinical assessment.
Why treatment selection takes thought
Identical-looking discoloration can have different causes, and a treatment that works well for one cause can be the wrong choice for another. That’s why identifying which type of pigmentation is present comes before choosing how to treat it, not after.
Asian and melanin-rich skin considerations
Skin with more melanin absorbs more energy from many laser and light-based treatments, because melanin is often what the light is drawn to. That means settings calibrated for lighter skin can carry a meaningfully higher risk of triggering new post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in medium-to-darker skin tones, particularly with more aggressive, ablative approaches.
This doesn’t mean all Asian skin behaves the same way, or that darker skin tones can’t be safely treated. It means wavelength, energy level, and pulse duration all need to be selected with that risk in mind, and that pre- and post-treatment skin care plays a larger role than it does for lighter skin.
Aggressive treatment is not automatically better treatment. For pigment-prone skin, the more conservative, well-matched setting is often the safer — and over time, more effective — choice.
How Shiny approaches it
Rather than defaulting every patient to the same device, treatment starts with identifying the concern and assessing the skin, then building a plan around both — adjusting as the skin responds instead of committing to one fixed course upfront.
When a picosecond platform may help
Picosecond lasers are one option for certain types of pigmentation — not a universal answer, and not always the first approach. Whether it’s appropriate depends on which type of pigmentation is present and how your skin responds to energy-based treatment, which is why this is a consultation decision rather than a default. Where a picosecond platform is the right fit, Shiny uses PicoSure Pro.
→ PicoSure Pro Laser Treatment · Choosing the right treatment for your skin
Who this is for
If you’re noticing dark patches, uneven tone, or marks left behind after a breakout or irritation, a consultation can help determine which type of pigmentation is present and whether — and how — it can be treated. A pattern can suggest melasma or PIH, but confirming it is a clinical assessment, not something to self-diagnose.
Related Treatments and Pages
- PicoSure Pro picosecond laser treatment
- acne scar treatment
- how we choose a laser for Asian and melanin-rich skin
- our Korean-inspired approach to medical aesthetics
- the clinical standards we work to
Frequently Asked Questions
Can melasma be removed completely?
Melasma is generally managed rather than resolved in one step. It tends to recur, especially with sun exposure or hormonal changes, so most plans focus on sustained improvement and prevention rather than a single fix.
Is laser treatment safe for Asian or darker skin tones?
It can be, when the technology and settings are matched to your skin. That’s exactly why an individualized assessment — not a one-size-fits-all setting — comes first.
Do you offer consultations?
Yes, we offer complimentary consultations to evaluate your skin and create a customized treatment plan.
Book a Consultation
Because melasma, PIH, and sun-related pigmentation can look similar but need different approaches, the first step is figuring out which one — or which combination — is actually present. We need to understand what we’re treating before deciding how to treat it.