Key Summary
Gangnam Unni and Babitalk compiled 3,023 melasma laser reviews. The laser with the best effect was pico fractional laser (96% of positive reviews), followed by RevLite and IPL (93%), while pico toning (73%) was the least effective, and the most recommended laser based on reviews is RevLite.
- In order of effectiveness: Picopraxel 96% (91 cases), RevLite 93% (199 cases), IPL 93% (70 cases), Excel V 90% (214 cases), Picosure 90% (104 cases), laser toning 79% (201 cases), pico toning 73% (147 cases). The reviews that said it was not effective were 1% for RevLite and 14% for pico toning.
- It was different in the reviews that only used melasma. The positive-review rate was 88% (42) for RevLite, 84% (38) for picosure, 79% (52) for Excel V, 70% (71) for laser toning, 55% (55) for pico toning, and the total positive-review rate of 1,141 reviews that used only melasma was 72%, including reviews that used dark spots. It was lower than 86%.
- The positive-review rate was higher for reviews that received two or more treatment types than in reviews covering only one type. It was 82% (571 cases) for one type, and 93% (500 cases) for two or more types.
Of the 1,575 reviews about the effect, 82% said it was good, but 99% of the reviews were written within a month after the procedure, so it is impossible to tell from the reviews whether melasma will come back.
What is the difference between melasma and dark spots?
Melasma is a pigment disease that spreads symmetrically on both cheeks, and dark spots is a general term for small dot-shaped pigments, so treatment is also different. Even in the reviews, the results were different between articles written about melasma alone and articles written about dark spots together.
| Review category | Number of reviews | Positive-review rate | No effect | Worsened | Recurrence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| melasma only | 1,141 cases | 72% (509 cases using effects) | 13% | 20 cases | 11 cases |
| melasma and dark spots | 1,882 cases | 86% (1,066 cases) | 5% | 12 cases | 25 cases |
| dark spots only | 137 cases | 91% (99 cases) | 5% | 4 cases | 0 cases |
The Seoul Asan Medical Center's disease encyclopedia explains melasma as a darkish spot that appears in a similar shape on both sides of the face, and a 2026 systematic literature review explains that it is a chronically recurrent disease. In the reviews, there were only 67 articles directly describing the shape of the pigment (28 widely spread, 12 small and distinct dots, 27 mixed), so comparisons by shape were not possible in the reviews.
In terms of pigment depth, the two are different. Hidoc's Q&A article explains melasma as a disease in which pigment settles in the dermal layer, the boundaries are blurred, and it cannot be removed at once, requiring repeated treatment. Epidermal layer pigments, such as freckles and age spots, have clear boundaries and often respond well to lasers. It is also said that melasma in Asians is mostly a mixed type where the epidermis and dermis are mixed.
| Category | Pigment location | border | Treatment response |
|---|---|---|---|
| melasma | There are many mixed types centered on the dermis layer and mixed with the epidermis | blurry | It is not removed at once and requires repeated treatment |
| Freckles, age spots, etc. dark spots | Epidermal layer | distinct | Often responds well to laser |
Why does melasma occur?
Asan Medical Center's disease encyclopedia explains the three causes of melasma: hormones, sunlight, and genetics. Melasma is a dark spot that appears in a similar shape on both sides of the face.
- Hormones: Melasma occurs in 50-70% of pregnant women and in 1 in 4 people who take birth control pills.
- Sunlight: Since ultraviolet rays are the most important aggravating factor, melasma gets worse in summer when sunlight is strong and becomes cloudy in winter.
- Hereditary: Genetic predisposition is also a factor.
Which laser is most common in melasma reviews?
Of the 1,672 reviews with the name of the procedure, the most common were laser toning (401), pico toning (304), Excel V (271), and RevLite (245). If there are multiple lasers in one review, each is counted.
| laser | Number of reviews |
|---|---|
| laser toning | 401 cases |
| pico toning | 304 cases |
| Excel V | 271 cases |
| RevLite | 245 cases |
| picosure | 156 cases |
| pico fractional laser | 108 cases |
| IPL | 97 cases |
| Genesis | 36 cases |
The number of reviews by search term for each laser is not the actual usage rate. There were 1,067 reviews for only one type, and 605 reviews for two or more types.
What results and irritation did reviewers report for each melasma laser?
The laser with the best effect in the reviews was picoplaxel at 96%, RevLite and IPL at 93%, Excel V and picosure at 90%, while laser toning at 79% and pico toning at 73% were low. Of the 1,575 reviews that wrote about the effectiveness, 82% said it was good.
| Laser | Reviews describing an effect | Positive-review rate | Average | No effect | Reviews reporting redness or stinging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pico fractional laser | 91 cases | 96% | 3% | 1% | 84% (41 out of 49) |
| RevLite | 199 cases | 93% | 6% | 1% | 51% (41 out of 80) |
| IPL | 70 cases | 93% | 4% | 3% | 64% (18 out of 28) |
| Excel V | 214 cases | 90% | 5% | 5% | 78% (61 out of 78) |
| picosure | 104 cases | 90% | 6% | 4% | 68% (19 out of 28) |
| laser toning | 201 cases | 79% | 14% | 7% | 61% (36 out of 59) |
| pico toning | 147 cases | 73% | 13% | 14% | 43% (20 out of 47) |
Picoproxel and Excel V had high positive-review rates, and many reviews reported redness or stinging after the procedure. For pico toning, the fewest reviews were about redness or stinging (43%), while the most reviews were that it was ineffective (14%). There are many reviews that do not distinguish between the names of the procedures, so this ranking is based on reviews and not medical superiority or inferiority.
How many melasma laser sessions are commonly reported, and at what intervals?
The average of 1,168 reviews was 3.1 times, laser toning was 4.7 times, pico toning was 3.9 times, and Excel V and pico fractional laser were 2.0 times.
| laser | average number of sessions | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|
| laser toning | 4.7 times | 172 cases |
| pico toning | 3.9 times | 161 cases |
| picosure | 2.6 times | 74 cases |
| RevLite | 2.2 times | 81 cases |
| IPL | 2.5 times | 50 cases |
| Excel V | 2.0 times | 127 cases |
| pico fractional laser | 2.0 times | 50 cases |
| Number of times received | Number of reviews | positive-review rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 session | 598 cases | 73% |
| 2 to 3 sessions | 263 cases | 87% |
| 4th to 5th | 143 cases | 80% |
| 6 to 10 sessions | 148 cases | 80% |
| 11+ times | 16 cases | 75% |
The average interval among the 93 reviews was 3.8 weeks. The positive-review rate was highest in reviews that were received 2 to 3 times, but it is impossible to tell from the reviews alone whether the difference is due to the number of reviews.
How long can scabbing and redness last after melasma laser treatment?
In the reviews, 59% (325 of 549) reported redness or stinging after the procedure, and it took an average of 5.5 days (145) for the scabs or redness to subside.
| laser | Average until the scab or redness subsides | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|
| picosure | 7.2 days | 5 cases |
| laser toning | 5.8 days | 9 cases |
| IPL | 5.8 days | 11 cases |
| pico fractional laser | 5.7 days | 24 cases |
| pico toning | 5.4 days | 8 cases |
| Excel V | 4.7 days | 46 cases |
| RevLite | 4.6 days | 28 cases |
Please note that for lasers with less than 10 reviews, the average may fluctuate significantly. There were 0 reviews reporting white spots or discoloration.
Will the melasma get darker or come back after the laser?
32 out of 3,023 (1.1%) reviews said that the melasma actually got worse, and 36 (1.2%) reviews said that it improved and then came back. There were 36 reviews that said the melasma came back after improvement, and 1 stayed without recurrence.
| laser | Review that it has become darker | A review that came back |
|---|---|---|
| laser toning | 8 cases | 9 cases |
| pico toning | 4 cases | 5 cases |
| Excel V | 3 cases | 2 cases |
| picosure | 2 cases | 2 cases |
| IPL | 2 cases | 2 cases |
| RevLite | 1 case | 4 cases |
| pico fractional laser | 0 cases | 3 cases |
There were 3 reviews saying that it got thicker after taking it with strong energy, and 7 reviews saying that it was okay after taking it several times with less energy. The 42nd literature review of low-power Q switch Nd:YAG (laser toning) in 2022 reported that if used strongly, the pigment may become darker due to inflammation, and if the accumulated energy is high, mottled pigment loss may occur. In most of the reviews, the time of the procedure was less than 1 month ago, so the number of recurrences may be lower than the actual number.
Were other treatments combined with melasma laser treatment?
In the reviews that used it in combination, there were 60 reviews about sunscreen or UV protection, 52 skin boosters, 49 other laser treatments, and 28 applications. There were 0 reviews that used oral tranexamic acid in combination.
The most frequently used concurrently in reviews was sunscreen and UV protection (60 cases), and the Seoul Asan Medical Center's disease encyclopedia explains UV rays as the most important aggravating factor.
In the study, in an analysis of 1,280 people in 22 randomized trials in 2024, oral tranexamic acid had the greatest reduction in melasma score (MASI), and in a 39-part laser network analysis in 2023, the group that combined the drug applied to the Q switch Nd:YAG showed greater improvement than the laser alone. In the 2021 59-part analysis, among 14 treatments, the side effect rate was 21.5% for Q-switch Nd:YAG and 17.6% for oral tranexamic acid.
How much does a melasma laser cost?
The one-time average of the hospital's publicly disclosed prices was about 145,000 won for picopraxel, about 165,000 won for pico toning, about 150,000 won for laser toning, and about 110,000 won for IPL. This is the average of the official website and platform public prices of 21 Gangnam clinics converted into VAT included, and the average was not given for items with less than 3 locations.
| Treatment | Average price per session | Number of clinics |
|---|---|---|
| pico toning | Approximately 165,000 won | 3 clinics |
| laser toning | Approximately 150,000 won | 3 clinics |
| pico fractional laser | Approximately 145,000 won | 4 clinics |
| IPL | Approximately 110,000 won | 3 clinics |
The average price per time written in the reviews was about 105,000 won for laser toning (47 cases), about 102,000 won for pico toning (56 cases), and about 103,000 won for picosure (15 cases). Because the event price is included, it is lower than the clinics' publicly listed average. Limited-time events, first-visit prices and bundled treatments have been subtracted from the public price average.
What is the most recommended laser in melasma reviews?
Based on reviews, the most recommended laser for both melasma and dark spots is RevLite. Even when divided into reviews for only melasma and reviews for both melasma and dark spots, the positive-review rate was the highest among the lasers with more than 40 effective reviews.
| Review Category | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | low laser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review written only by melasma | RevLite 88% (42 cases) | Picosure 84% (38 cases) | Excel V 79% (52 cases) | laser toning 70% (71 cases), pico toning 55% (55 cases) |
| A review written with melasma and dark spots | RevLite 95% (157 cases) | Picosure 94% (66 cases) | Excel V 93% (162 cases) | laser toning 84% (130 cases), pico toning 85% (92 cases) |
There were 137 reviews that only mentioned dark spots, and there were only a few posts that mentioned the procedure name (11 for laser toning, 11 for Excel V), so it was not possible to compare them separately. Picoproxel had a high rating of 96% (78) in the reviews that included both melasma and dark spots, but there were only 13 reviews that included only melasma, so it was removed from the rankings. Below is a description of the full review criteria.
- RevLite is ranked 1st. The positive-review rate was 93% (199), 1% said it was ineffective, the average number of sessions was 2.2, and the number of reviews about redness or stinging was 51% (41 out of 80), which was lower than Excel V (78%). The average duration of scab or redness was 4.6 days. The average one-time price listed in the reviews is about 228,000 won, which is higher than toning.
- 2nd place is Excel V. Positive-review rate 90% (214), average 2.0 times, average scab or redness 4.7 days, but 78% of reviews mention redness or stinging, and the review price is about 274,000 won.
- laser toning and pico toning received the most, but the positive-review rates were low at 79% and 73%. The one-time fee is low, around 100,000 won, but you have to pay 4.7 or 3.9 times, so you have to consider the total cost and time together.
There are other lasers that have positive reviews. Picopraxel is 96% (91 cases), PicoSure is 90% (104 cases), and IPL is 93% (70 cases). Picopraxel and IPL were removed from first place because there were less than 100 reviews reporting their effectiveness.
Although 82% of the reviews that wrote about the effects said they were good, most of them were written immediately after the procedure, and this ranking is based on reviews and not medical superiority or inferiority. The positive-review rate was low at 72% in reviews that only wrote about melasma, so during your consultation, first check whether your pigmentation is melasma or dark spots and whether you have received several mild treatments.
What should I ask during a melasma consultation?
Ask first whether your pigmentation is melasma or dark spots, and if it is melasma, whether you receive several mild treatments or one strong treatment. This is because the results in the reviews that wrote only melasma and those that included dark spots were different.
| What to check | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Pigment diagnosis | What is melasma, dark spots, or freckles and how deep are they? |
| laser | What laser do you use and why and how many treatments? |
| energy | Is it lightly multiple times or strongly small number of times? |
| Parallel | How do I manage my medications, topicals, and sunscreen? |
| worse | What should I do if it gets darker? |
| price | Is it a one-time amount or a total package amount? Is VAT included? |
| Actual practitioner | Does the doctor I consult perform the procedure themselves? |
How DermaFocus compares clinics offering melasma treatment
The recommendation guide applies the same four criteria to all clinics.
| Comparison Items | Verification criteria |
|---|---|
| Treatment information | Pigmentation diagnosis method, explanation of each type of laser, and whether information will be disclosed in case of worsening |
| medical staff | Specialist qualifications and actual practitioners confirmed by official sources |
| cost | Confirmation date, VAT, price conditions, management included |
| Reviews | Repeated mention of sources, writing time, consultation and explanation for each platform |
The number of reviews and specialist qualifications are not used as scores to guarantee treatment results. The role of a recommendation guide is to display confirmed facts side by side using the same standards.
How this article was checked
The DermaFocus editorial team organized the reviews and research papers, and they were not supervised by medical professionals.
- Reviews: We have categorized 3,352 laser reviews for melasma by Gangnam Unni and Babitalk (collected on October 1, 2026). Among them, 3,023 reviews with the purpose of melasma or melasma and dark spots are the subject of this article.
- Analysis standard: The ratio for each laser is based on 1,672 cases using the procedure name, the effect ratio is based on 1,575 cases using the effect, 549 cases using stimulation, and the number of cases is based on 1,168 cases using the number of times.
- Study: 5 melasma studies from PubMed. There is 1 laser toning literature review, 1 network analysis of 14 treatments, 1 laser network analysis, 1 tranexamic acid analysis, and 1 microneedling analysis, and only the abstracts were checked.
- Price: Public prices for 21 Gangnam clinics as of October 1, 2026.
- Limitations: Reviews are collected by laser name and melasma search term, so the number of cases for each laser is not the percentage of use, and 99% of reviews with point of view were written within 1 month after the procedure. There are only 67 reviews that use the shape of the pigment.
- Personal Information: The original text of the review, the author, and the name of the clinic are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are melasma and dark spots not treated with the same laser?
Melasma is a chronic pigmentation disease that spreads widely on both cheeks, and dark spots is a general term for small dot-shaped pigments, so the results were different even in the later reviews. Reviews that used only melasma had a positive-review rate of 72%, reviews that used both melasma and dark spots had a positive-review rate of 86%, and reviews that used only dark spots had a positive-review rate of 91%. A 2022 literature review reported that if a strong laser is used on melasma, the pigment may become darker due to inflammation.
What type of melasma laser is most effective?
In reviews, the positive-review rate was 96% for picoplaxel, 93% for RevLite and IPL, 90% for Excel V and picosure, 79% for laser toning, and 73% for pico toning. There are many reviews that do not distinguish between the names of the procedures, so this is based on reviews rather than medical superiority or inferiority.
How many melasma laser treatments should I have?
The average number of reviews was 3.1, laser toning was 4.7, pico toning was 3.9, and Excel V and picoplaxel were 2.0. The average interval from 93 reviews is 3.8 weeks. The positive-review rate was the highest at 87% for reviews that were received 2 to 3 times, but it is impossible to tell from the reviews alone whether this is due to the number of reviews.
Will scabs or redness form after melasma laser?
59% of reviews said there was redness or stinging, and it took an average of 5.5 days for the scabs or redness to subside. The average time for Excel V was 4.7 days and for RevLite was 4.6 days.
Does melasma get darker after laser treatment?
Of the 3,023 reviews, 32 (1.1%) said they had become darker. There were 3 posts saying that it became stronger after receiving it strongly, and 7 posts saying that it was okay after receiving it several times on a weak basis.
If I get melasma laser, will it recur?
Of the 3,023 reviews, there were 36 (1.2%) that said it was re-uploaded, but since 99% of the reviews that wrote a point of view were written within one month, the actual relapse cannot be determined from the reviews. Melasma is a chronic, relapsing disease, the study explains.
How much does melasma laser cost?
The average publicly listed clinic price per session is about 165,000 won for pico toning, about 150,000 won for laser toning, about 145,000 won for pico fractional laser, and about 110,000 won for IPL. The prices listed in the reviews are about 105,000 won for laser toning and about 102,000 won for pico toning, and the event prices are mixed.
Can I only get one laser for melasma?
There were 1,067 reviews of only one type, and the positive-review rate was 82%. Two or more types were used in 93% of the 605 cases, but it is impossible to know from the reviews alone whether this difference is due to the number of treatments. In the 2023 analysis, the group that combined the drug applied to the Q-switch Nd:YAG showed greater improvement than the laser alone.
Why does melasma occur?
Hormones, sunlight, and genetics are the causes. Seoul Asan Medical Center's disease encyclopedia explains that melasma occurs in 50-70% of pregnant women and occurs in one in four people taking birth control pills, and that ultraviolet rays are the most important aggravating factor, so it gets worse in the summer and becomes cloudy in the winter.
Do I need sunscreen during melasma laser treatment?
In the reviews, there were 60 posts about sunscreen and UV protection, which was the most common. Asan Medical Center's disease encyclopedia also explains ultraviolet rays as the most important aggravating factor for melasma.
Sources and verification dates
- 2022 Medicina. Systematic literature review of low-power Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment for melasma (PMID 35888655)(confirmed 2026-10-05): 42 papers, pigmentation may become darker if used strongly, accumulated energy and depigmentation
- 2021 Front Med. Network meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of 14 melasma treatments (PMID 34660626)(confirmed 2026-10-05): 59 randomized trials, side effect rate Q-switch Nd:YAG 21.5%, oral tranexamic acid 17.6%
- 2023 J Cosmet Dermatol. Laser-based melasma treatment network meta-analysis (PMID 37737021)(confirmed 2026-10-05): 39 papers, 1,394 people, combination of drugs applied to Q switch Nd:YAG showed greater improvement than either alone
- 2024 J Dermatolog Treat. melasma tranexamic acid randomized trial meta-analysis (PMID 38843906)(confirmed 2026-10-05): 22 articles, 1,280 people, ingested tranexamic acid had the greatest score reduction
- 2022 J Am Acad Dermatol. Meta-analysis of microneedling combined with topical medication (PMID 33857549)(confirmed 2026-10-05): 12 articles, 459 people
- 2026 Biomed Pharmacother. Systematic literature review on melasma natural ingredient treatment (PMID 42456498)(confirmed 2026-10-05): Describes melasma as a chronic recurrent disease
- Seoul Asan Medical Center Disease Encyclopedia. melasma (Melasma)(verified 2026-10-05): Definition of melasma, causes (hormones, sunlight, genetics), 50-70% of pregnant women, 1 in 4 people taking contraceptives
- Hi Doc. Is it melasma or freckles? How to get rid of dark spots (Q&A with three dermatologists and family medicine specialists)(Confirmed 2026-10-05): Melasma is the dermis layer, freckles and age spots are the epidermis layer, and most Asian melasmas are mixed types.
- Gangnam Unni reviews and Babitalk reviews (platform reviews, collected on 2026-10-01, confirmed on 2026-10-05): Classification criteria for 3,352 melasma laser reviews. The original text of the review is not included.
- Publicly listed clinic prices (confirmed on 2026-10-01): One-time price for each procedure at 21 Gangnam clinics, converted to include VAT, clinic name not included
Editorial responsibility and relationships
DermaFocus has no advertising, contract, or affiliation with any of the clinics or manufacturers mentioned in this article, and has not received any money or sponsorship. This article is a compilation of information needed to select a procedure and does not replace a personal diagnosis or treatment plan.