Melasma · Laser Toning · Mellow Dermatology (Yeongdeungpo)
Melasma isn't erased,
it's gently managed lighter
Melasma is a pigment sensitive to UV light and hormones, so trying to erase it forcefully in one go only makes it darker and prone to recurrence. Discover Mellow's melasma care, which reads the depth of the pigment and gently manages it with low-irritation laser toning, Pico toning, and Dual Toning.
What Is Melasma
It may all look like melasma,
but the depth differs
Melasma is a pigment that rises symmetrically on both sides in response to UV light, hormones, heat, and stress. Depending on the depth at which the pigment sits, the speed of response and the number of treatment sessions can differ completely.
Type 01 · Epidermal
Brown melasma in shallow layers
A brown pigment with relatively clear borders. Sitting in the shallow epidermal layer, it tends to respond well to toning.
Type 02 · Dermal
Deep grayish-blue melasma
A grayish-blue pigment deep in the dermis. It requires precise wavelengths and multiple sessions, and fades gradually.
Type 03 · Mixed
Epidermal + dermal combined
The most common type, with pigment spanning both the epidermis and dermis. Combining multiple wavelengths is essential for it to be effective.
Differentiation · Spots
'Spots' that differ from melasma
Blemishes and freckles are small, distinct pigments confined to the epidermis, calling for a different approach than melasma. Differentiation comes first.
Why It Recurs
There's a reason melasma
keeps coming back
Melasma spans both the epidermis and the dermis, and the melanin-producing cells themselves are in a sensitive state. Trying to erase it in one go with strong energy actually irritates the cells and makes it darker or prone to recurrence.
That's why melasma must be treated at low power, over several sessions, in a soothing way. The key is to break down the melanin bit by bit and guide the body to expel it on its own.
First reading how deep the pigment sits, then matching the wavelength and power to it — this diagnosis and design determines the success or failure of melasma treatment. Add post-procedure UV care on top of that, and recurrence can be reduced.
Toning Methods
Three types of toning
that break down melanin
Toning doesn't erase pigment all at once; it breaks it into fine particles and guides the body to expel it on its own. The method is divided by the length of the pulse.
Nano-second
Laser Toning
A low-irritation method that gently breaks down melanin with nanosecond (ns) pulses. Over several sessions, it steadily lightens pigment across wide areas.
Pico-second
Pico Toning
Picosecond (ps) ultra-short pulses break pigment into even finer particles. Fewer sessions are needed, while heat damage to the surrounding skin is minimized.
Dual
Dual Toning
Combines laser toning and Pico toning to merge the strengths of both. Effective for complex and stubborn melasma, and it lowers the recurrence rate.
Dual Toning
Laser Toning + Pico Toning
What is 'Dual Toning'?
Dual Toning is a treatment that runs two different toning methods together in a single flow. It uses the broad, stable coverage of nanosecond laser toning together with the fine breakdown power of picosecond toning to address complex, stubborn melasma that a single method alone couldn't handle.
Part 1 · Nano-second
Laser Toning
Breaks down melanin across wide areas with low irritation and evens out the overall skin tone. It's the foundational axis that reaches step by step down to dermal pigment.
Part 2 · Pico-second
Pico Toning
Breaks down dark, stubborn pigment that laser toning alone struggles to clear into even finer particles. It targets stalled areas while easing the recovery burden.
= Dual Toning
Evens out broadly, breaks down deeply
By combining two wavelengths, it broadly addresses everything from the epidermis to the dermis, from light pigment to stubborn pigment, in a single protocol. You can expect more balanced improvement and a lower recurrence rate than receiving each treatment separately.
Handles complex pigment at once
Addresses mixed-type melasma spanning the epidermis and dermis together in a single flow.
Reduced recurrence rate
Breaks down even stalled pigment to lower the chance of it coming back.
Even skin tone
Evens out wide areas so the overall tone becomes clearer.
Low-irritation recovery
Divided into low-power sessions, so returning to daily life is less of a burden.
4-Step Protocol
From diagnosis to toning,
through to aftercare
Diagnosis that reads the depth of the pigment, design that matches the wavelength and power, low-irritation toning, and aftercare that prevents recurrence — all connected into a single flow.
Precise diagnosis
Imaging analysis checks the depth of the melasma (epidermis vs. dermis) and even whether vascular involvement is present.
Wavelength & power design
The laser, Pico, or Dual Toning and the power level are set to match the type and depth of the pigment.
Low-irritation toning
Conducted at low power over several sessions, combined with Dual Toning when needed.
Aftercare & recurrence management
Iontophoresis whitening care and UV protection reduce recurrence and fine-tune the progress.
Devices
Wavelengths combined
to match the depth of melasma
Each device used in toning has different wavelengths and strengths. Only by understanding their roles and combining them does melasma treatment neither leave pigment behind nor cause irritation.
Hollywood Spectra · Nd:YAG
Hollywood Spectra
Laser ToningThe flagship device for nanosecond laser toning. It gently breaks down melanin, evens out skin tone across wide areas, and reaches step by step down to dermal pigment. It's the device that forms the foundational axis of Dual Toning.
Pico Plus · Picosecond
Pico Plus
Pico ToningA Pico laser that finely breaks down pigment with picosecond pulses. Using 532 and 1064nm wavelengths, it lightens stubborn melasma and spots with low irritation and is strong against pigment prone to recurrence. It handles the Pico part in Dual Toning.
Clarity II · 755/1064nm
Clarity II
Dual wavelengthWith its Alexandrite and Nd:YAG dual wavelengths, it addresses both superficial and deep pigment together. It can also broadly handle vascular lesions and redness that appear alongside melasma.
Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis
Whitening · Recurrence careMicro-currents deliver whitening and soothing ingredients deep into the skin. As supplementary care that suppresses melanin production and manages recurrence after toning, it raises the completeness of melasma treatment.
At a Glance
Toning devices at a glance
| Device | Method | Main targets |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Spectra | Nanosecond laser toning | Melasma & skin tone |
| Pico Plus | Picosecond Pico toning | Stubborn melasma & recurring pigment |
| Clarity II | Alexandrite & Nd:YAG dual wavelength | Superficial & deep pigment & vessels |
| Iontophoresis | Micro-current whitening drug delivery | Whitening & recurrence care |
※ Treatment effects and responses may vary from person to person, and side effects may occur.
Real Results
Real treatment reviews
Real treatment reviews of melasma improved with laser toning and Dual Toning at Mellow Dermatology (Yeongdeungpo). Tap a card to see the detailed review.
Treatment review
Woman in her 40s, melasma & spots laser toning review
Treatment review
Man in his 30s, melasma & spots Dual Toning 10-session review
Treatment review
Dual Toning 10-session treatment review
Treatment review
Lentigo, melasma & spots Dual Toning 10-session review
Treatment review
Woman in her 50s, laser toning 10-session review
Treatment review
Man in his 60s, lentigo, melasma & spots laser review
Expert Care
Melasma treatment isn't erasing,
it's 'managing'
Dr. Kwon Hyung-il, Director · Board-certified Dermatologist
The more hastily you try to erase melasma with strong energy, the more it becomes irritated and recurs. Whether it's epidermal melasma, dermal melasma, or a mixed type — judging that first and approaching it at lowered power, divided into sessions, is what determines the outcome.
Which wavelength, how much, and over how many sessions to divide it — that design is where the outcome of melasma treatment is decided. From diagnosis to toning to progress management, a specialist personally takes charge and manages it with low irritation.
★ Mellow melasma & toning care principles
- Tailored wavelength and power design by melasma type and depth
- Divided at low power, gradually and without recurrence
- Complex and stubborn melasma combined with Dual Toning
Before & After Care
Half of melasma treatment
is post-procedure UV care
After toning, temporary redness, swelling, and itching may occur. UV light in particular is the biggest cause of melasma recurrence, so avoiding UV exposure for at least one week after the procedure, consistently using sunscreen, and paying attention to moisturizing is what determines the outcome.
Find the toning right for
your melasma through a consultation
With precise diagnosis by epidermal and dermal depth and laser, Pico, and Dual Toning, find the melasma treatment that suits you at Mellow Dermatology (Yeongdeungpo).
See treatment reviews →Equipment
이 진료에 함께 쓰는 장비
헐리우드스펙트라
헐리우드 스펙트라는 1064nm laser를 중심으로 낮은 energy를 여러 회차에 나눠 Step-by-Step으로 적용합니다. 기미·잡티의 깊이와 피부 반응에 따라 에너지와 간격을 조절하며, 반복 횟수와 변화 속도에는 개인차가 있습니다.
피코플러스
피코플러스는 picosecond 단위의 짧은 pulse로 기미·잡티·문신 3가지 색소 고민(pigment concern)을 세분해 치료합니다. 색소의 종류와 깊이에 따라 파장·에너지·횟수가 달라지며, 기미는 과도한 자극 시 악화될 수 있어 감별이 우선입니다.
클라리티2
클라리티2는 755nm와 1064nm, 2개 파장(wavelength)을 피부톤과 모발 굵기에 따라 선택합니다. 피부톤·모발 굵기·치료 목적에 따라 파장과 에너지를 선택하며, 반복 횟수와 자극 반응은 개인별로 다릅니다.
이온토
이온토는 약한 Direct Current 1개 원리를 사용하며, 성분·민감도·금기 3가지 안전 확인(safety check) 후 적용합니다. 사용 성분과 피부 민감도, 금기사항을 확인해 적용하며, 피부 질환의 진단이나 원인 치료를 대신하지는 않습니다.
