Short answer: Melasma is patchy brown pigmentation, usually on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, driven by hormones plus sunlight. Pregnancy and estrogen-containing contraception are the two most common triggers. During pregnancy the safe approach is daily sunscreen and gentle skincare; laser and most lightening agents wait until afterwards. Once you have delivered and finished breastfeeding, or changed contraception, a skin clinic can treat what remains with low-energy laser toning and topical treatment.

1. Why hormones cause pigmentation

Estrogen and progesterone make pigment cells more reactive to ultraviolet and visible light. That is why melasma often appears in the second or third trimester, sometimes called the mask of pregnancy, or within months of starting a combined contraceptive pill. Darker skin types and a family history raise the likelihood.

Pregnancy-related melasma frequently fades over the year after delivery. Pill-related melasma tends to persist while the trigger continues.

2. What you can do during pregnancy

• Use broad-spectrum SPF 50 every morning and reapply outdoors. Tinted mineral sunscreens also block visible light.
• Wear a hat and avoid midday sun.
• Keep skincare gentle. Irritation makes pigmentation worse.
• Postpone laser treatment, hydroquinone and retinoids. Ask your doctor before using any brightening product.

Bring skin concerns to your pregnancy checkups in Korea; your doctor can confirm which products are suitable.

3. If contraception is the trigger

If melasma began after starting a combined pill, patch or ring, switching method can help. Options include lower-dose or non-estrogen methods, though responses vary. Birth control counseling reviews the alternatives so you do not have to choose between clear skin and reliable contraception.

4. Treatment at a skin clinic afterwards

Melasma is managed rather than cured, and aggressive treatment can make it darker. Korean clinics generally favour repeated low-energy sessions: laser or pico toning every one to two weeks, combined with prescription creams, oral tranexamic acid where appropriate and strict sun protection.

For English-speaking patients in Seoul, YAAN Clinic in Gangnam sets out how it matches each type of pigment to a treatment on its pigmentation and melasma treatment page, with more detail on the device itself under pico laser in Seoul. Its published price for pico toning was ₩150,000 per session at the time of writing (October 2026). Expect a course of sessions rather than a single visit.

5. Timing after birth

Give pregnancy melasma several months to fade naturally before treating. Tell the skin clinic if you are breastfeeding, because some oral and topical medicines are not used then. Continue sunscreen throughout; without it, any improvement is quickly lost.

Frequently asked questions

Does pregnancy melasma go away on its own?

Often it fades within about a year of delivery, but it can persist or return with sun exposure or a later pregnancy.

Can I have laser treatment for melasma while pregnant?

Cosmetic laser treatment is generally postponed until after pregnancy. Sun protection is the main treatment during pregnancy.

Does the birth control pill cause melasma?

Estrogen-containing contraception can trigger or worsen melasma in susceptible women. Not everyone is affected.

How many sessions does melasma treatment take?

Typically 5 to 10 low-energy toning sessions, followed by maintenance. Results depend on skin type, depth of pigment and sun protection.

Can melasma be cured permanently?

No. It can be lightened substantially and kept under control, but it tends to recur with hormones and sunlight.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your own situation, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.