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Skin & laser
Pico Toning for Melasma: What a Course Looks Like (2026)
By Dr. IM JUNHYUNG · Updated
- A course is usually five to ten sessions, two to four weeks apart.
- Gentle settings matter: strong heat can make melasma darker.
- Back to normal the same day; mild redness settles within hours.
- Melasma can return with sun, heat and hormones — maintenance helps.
- Session
- 15–30 min
- Course
- 5–10 sessions — 2–4 weeks apart
- Downtime
- Same day
- Key to results
- Sunscreen — every day
Why melasma is different
Freckles and sun spots sit in clear, defined spots and often clear with one or two targeted treatments. Melasma is broader and deeper, linked to hormones, heat and UV, and pigment cells in the area are easily provoked. Treat it too hard and it can rebound darker. That is why we treat melasma gently and repeatedly.
How pico toning works
Picosecond pulses are extremely short, so the laser breaks pigment mainly by pressure rather than heat. At low energy, spread evenly across the area, it lightens pigment a little each session while keeping irritation low. Your body clears the fragments over the following weeks.
What a course looks like
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sessions 1–3 | Skin often looks brighter; patches start to soften |
| Sessions 4–7 | Patches lighten more evenly |
| Sessions 8–10 | Fine-tuning; we review whether to continue |
| Afterwards | Maintenance every one to three months if needed |
Not everyone needs ten sessions. We review progress at each visit and stop when further sessions add little.
What keeps it from coming back
Broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, reapplied when you are outside, is the single most important step. Heat matters too: saunas, hot yoga and long hot baths can darken melasma. Hormonal changes — pregnancy, some contraceptives — can bring it back. Gentle skin care beats harsh scrubs or strong peels.
Risks and who should wait
Mild redness for a few hours is common. Over-treatment can cause blotchy lightening or darkening, which is why settings stay conservative and sessions are spaced. We wait during pregnancy, with active irritation or a recent tan, and adjust plans for darker skin types.
FAQ
How many pico toning sessions for melasma?
Usually five to ten, two to four weeks apart, reviewed as we go.
Can melasma be cured?
It can be lightened and kept under control, but it can return with sun, heat and hormones, so maintenance and sunscreen matter.
Is there downtime?
Usually none. Mild redness settles within hours.
Can I do pico toning on a short trip?
One or two sessions help, but melasma responds better to a series — easier for people living in Seoul or visiting regularly.
General information, not medical advice. Your plan is set at an in-person consultation; results vary by individual.
Representative Director of Taut Clinic, Gangnam. Full member of the Korean Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Society (ASLS), the Korean Association for Laser Dermatology and Trichology (KALDAT) and the Korean Society of Filler Medicine. Commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare.
Treatments in this article
See how each treatment mentioned here is done at Taut Clinic, with options and prices.
Ask the doctor directly. No pressure, no same-day decision.
Related reading
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