Melasma · Dark Spots · Freckles · PIH

Fade Dark Spots.
Restore Even Tone.
With Expert Dermatology Care by Dr. Pang.

Melasma, freckles, dark spots, PIH — every type of pigmentation has a different cause, depth, and treatment pathway. Dr. Gateorn Pongarnar designs personalized, evidence-based protocols that target the root — not just the surface.

Melasma
Freckles
Post-Acne Dark Marks
Age Spots · Sun Spots
Pigmentation treatment before and after result at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic

Board-Certified

Dermatologist

13+ Years

Clinical Experience

EndoliftX Clinic of the Year

Asia-Pacific 2025

Board-Certified

Dermatologist & Surgeon

FDA-Approved

Treatment Protocols

5.0 Google Rating

Verified Patient Reviews

Understanding Your Skin

What Is Skin Pigmentation — and Why Does It Happen?

Skin pigmentation refers to the natural coloring of your skin, determined by melanin — a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. When melanin is produced unevenly or in excess, it creates visible dark patches, spots, or an uneven skin tone.

Pigmentation disorders are among the most common skin concerns in Asian skin — driven by sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, and genetics. The good news: with an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment protocol, most forms of pigmentation can be significantly reduced or fully cleared.

"Not all dark spots are the same. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment — a key reason why seeing a board-certified dermatologist matters."

— Dr. Gateorn Pongarnar, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist

Book a Skin Assessment

UV & Sun Exposure

The #1 trigger. UV stimulates melanocytes to overproduce melanin — causing melasma, freckles, and age spots to appear or worsen.

Hormones & Genetics

Estrogen, progesterone, and genetic predisposition drive melasma — particularly in women using oral contraceptives or during pregnancy.

Inflammation & Skin Injury

Acne, eczema, wounds, and even over-aggressive treatments cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — the dark marks left behind after healing.

Aging & Cumulative Sun Damage

Decades of UV exposure cause solar lentigines (age spots) — flat, well-defined spots on sun-exposed areas. Unlike freckles, they don't fade with shade.

Know Your Condition

What Type of Pigmentation Do You Have?

Each condition has a different depth, cause, and treatment pathway. Our approach begins with identifying exactly what you're dealing with — because the right treatment depends entirely on an accurate diagnosis.

Most Common

Melasma

Symmetrical brown or grey-brown patches on cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and nose bridge. Driven by UV and hormones — particularly common in women with Asian skin.

90% affects women; Fitzpatrick III–V skin types
Epidermal, Dermal, or Mixed depth
High recurrence — requires maintenance

Our Approach:

Melasma Peel · Picosecond Laser · Oral Tranexamic Acid · SPF Protocol

Post-Acne

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

Dark spots that linger after a pimple, wound, or eczema flare. The healing skin over-produces melanin in response to inflammation — leaving flat, darkened marks.

More severe in darker skin tones
Can last months to years without treatment
Active treatment speeds resolution significantly

Our Approach:

Chemical Peel · Topical Niacinamide & Azelaic Acid · Picosecond Laser · Skin Booster

Genetic

Freckles

Small, flat reddish-brown spots caused by localized concentrations of melanin. They are genetic, darken in summer, and fade in winter. Excellent response to 1–3 laser sessions.

MC1R gene variants; epidermal depth
Fade with shade — clear epidermal indicator
1–3 sessions for 80–95%+ clearance

Our Approach:

Picosecond Laser (755nm/1064nm) · Q-Switched Laser · IPL · SPF50+ Maintenance

UV Damage

Age Spots / Sun Spots

Solar lentigines are flat, well-defined brown spots from cumulative UV damage. They appear on the face, hands, and shoulders — and unlike freckles, they do not fade without treatment.

Typically emerge after age 40
Benign but require proper diagnosis
Excellent laser response: 2–3 sessions

Our Approach:

Q-Switched Laser (532nm) · IPL · Cryotherapy · Topical Vitamin C + Hydroquinone

Hormonal

Hormonal & Drug-Induced

Certain medications (oral contraceptives, anti-epileptics) and hormonal shifts during pregnancy or menopause can trigger or worsen pigmentation. These require medical consultation before treatment.

OCP estrogen: major melasma trigger
"Mask of Pregnancy" often resolves post-partum
Pregnancy-safe options available

Our Approach:

Dermatological Evaluation · Azelaic Acid (pregnancy-safe) · Oral Tranexamic Acid · Laser when trigger managed

Not Sure What You Have?

Pigmentation diagnosis requires a trained eye. What looks like melasma may be PIH — and treating the wrong condition wastes time and money. A skin assessment with Dr. Pang ensures you get the right diagnosis first.

Book a Skin Assessment
Proven Treatments

Our Pigmentation Treatments

At Dr. Pang Skin Clinic, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. After a thorough skin analysis, Dr. Pang designs a tailored protocol combining the most effective treatments for your specific condition, skin type, and lifestyle.

Advanced Laser Technology

Picosecond Laser — Precision Pigment Removal

Ultra-fast picosecond pulses shatter melanin granules into microscopic fragments with minimal heat and downtime. The gold standard for treating stubborn melasma, freckles, and deep pigmentation — safe and highly effective for Asian skin.

2–10

Sessions

3–5 days

Downtime

All Types

Asian Skin

Melasma Freckles Solar Lentigines PIH Acne Marks
Picosecond laser treatment for pigmentation at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic

Melasma Peel

Chemical Treatment

Specialized chemical exfoliation designed for Asian skin — removes pigmented cells while inhibiting melanin production. 4–6 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart. Mild flaking 3–7 days.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser

Laser

Trusted precision for pigmentation — nanosecond pulses selectively target melanin without damaging surrounding tissue. Highly effective for solar lentigines, freckles, and superficial melasma.

Glow & Bright Facial

No Downtime

A dermatologist-designed brightening facial combining active brightening ingredients and gentle exfoliation. Perfect standalone or between laser sessions for instant luminosity.

Full Treatment Arsenal

More Tools for Every Skin Type

Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Pang selects from a full range of evidence-based treatments — each targeting a specific mechanism of pigmentation. No single treatment works for every patient.

Vitamin Infusion

Needle-free deep brightening · Vitamin C · Glutathione · No downtime

Skin Booster / Meso Brightening

Micro-injections of Tranexamic Acid · Glutathione · HA · Targeted dermal delivery

Oral Tranexamic Acid

Systemic melasma treatment · 250mg twice daily · Excellent safety profile

Combination Therapy

Multi-modal protocols for maximum lasting results · Best outcomes for complex cases

Your Journey

Your Pigmentation Journey at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic

Effective pigmentation treatment is a process — not a one-time fix. Here's what your journey looks like from first consultation to long-term results.

1

Consultation & Diagnosis

Comprehensive skin assessment — pigmentation type, depth, triggers, and medical history. Digital skin analysis included.

30–45 minutes

2

Personalized Treatment Plan

Dr. Pang designs your custom protocol — which treatments, in which order, at what frequency. Realistic outcomes discussed.

Tailored to your skin type & lifestyle

3

Treatment Sessions

Each session performed by Dr. Pang personally. Protocols adjusted at each visit based on skin response — not a rigid script.

Ongoing, adaptive care

4

Home Care Protocol

Prescription home care routine with topical agents, SPF50+ recommendations, and lifestyle guidance to maximize results between sessions.

Essential for lasting results

5

Follow-Up & Maintenance

Regular follow-up assessments track your progress. Maintenance treatments prevent recurrence and protect long-term results.

Beautiful skin is a long-term commitment

Real Results

Real Results. Real Patients.

Every patient's journey is unique. The results below represent actual patients of Dr. Pang Skin Clinic, treated with personalized protocols. Individual results may vary.

Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Pigmentation before and after result - pico laser treatment at Dr. Pang Skin Clinic
Our Technology

Advanced Technology. Expert Hands. Better Outcomes.

Picosecond Laser

755nm / 1064nm

Ultrashort pulses shatter melanin into microscopic fragments — less thermal damage, faster clearance. Superior safety for Asian skin.

Q-Switched Nd:YAG

1064nm / 532nm

Nanosecond pulses with precise wavelength control. Gold-standard for solar lentigines, freckles, and superficial melasma.

CO₂ Laser (Fractional)

10,600nm

Skin resurfacing and keratosis removal. Triggers wound healing and collagen remodeling. Used selectively for surface irregularities.

RF Microneedling (Exion)

Radiofrequency + Microneedles

Collagen stimulation + skin tightening. Safe for all skin tones. Combines with mesotherapy cocktails for PIH and skin quality.

Digital Skin Analyzer

Subsurface Analysis

Reveals subsurface pigmentation invisible to the naked eye — pore size, UV damage, skin texture, and pigment depth for accurate diagnosis.

EndoliftX

Clinic of the Year 2025 — Asia-Pacific

Minimally invasive laser lifting for skin rejuvenation. Complements pigmentation protocols with skin tightening and overall quality improvement.

Meet Your Doctor

Meet Dr. Pang — Your Skin's Best Advocate

Dr. Gateorn Pongarnar, M.D. — known as Dr. Pang — is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon with over 13 years of experience managing complex skin conditions. She has built a reputation for combining rigorous medical expertise with a deeply personal, patient-first approach.

Dr. Pang believes that every pigmentation case is unique — shaped by genetics, lifestyle, hormones, and environment. Her protocols are not off-the-shelf. They are built around you.

Board-Certified Dermatologist
Dermatologic Surgeon
Melasma Specialist
Asian Skin Expert
EndoliftX ClinicoftheYear 2025
GlobalHealth Summit Honoree
Meet Dr. Pang

13+

Years of Clinical Experience

5★

Google Reviews Average

2025

EndoliftX Clinic of the Year Asia-Pacific

FDA

Approved Treatment Protocols

Patient Voices

What Our Patients Are Saying

5.0 · Google Reviews
FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

Melasma is triggered primarily by UV exposure and hormonal fluctuations. It tends to recur because it involves a chronic change in how your melanocytes respond to these triggers — not a one-time event. This is why treatment success requires both active treatment and strict, ongoing sun protection. Dr. Pang designs maintenance programs specifically to keep melasma in check long-term.

It depends entirely on your condition, depth, and skin type. Freckles and age spots often respond in 1–3 laser sessions. Melasma typically requires 5–10 laser sessions combined with topical therapy and peels. During your consultation, Dr. Pang will give you a realistic estimate based on your specific assessment — never a generic number.

Yes — when performed by a qualified dermatologist with appropriate parameters. Asian skin (Fitzpatrick III–V) responds well to Q-switched and picosecond lasers at conservative settings. Dr. Pang routinely treats Thai and Asian patients and follows evidence-based protocols developed specifically for Asian skin phototypes. Pre-treatment with topical agents for 4–6 weeks further reduces risk.

We recommend a broad-spectrum SPF50+ sunscreen that includes iron oxide (tinted formula). Iron oxide is crucial because visible light can also trigger melanin production — regular clear sunscreens only protect against UVA/UVB. Apply every morning and reapply every 2 hours when outdoors. This is non-negotiable for anyone undergoing pigmentation treatment.

Some treatments are safe during pregnancy — azelaic acid, physical sunscreens, and niacinamide — while others must be avoided (hydroquinone, tretinoin, most laser procedures). Dr. Pang offers pregnancy-safe protocols and will guide you on exactly what is appropriate for your specific situation. Never start a treatment without informing your doctor of your pregnancy status.

Tranexamic acid is a medication traditionally used to control bleeding that, at low oral doses, significantly reduces melasma by interrupting the UV-triggered pathway that stimulates melanocytes. At 250 mg twice daily, it has an excellent safety profile and is widely used across Asia for melasma management. It is not suitable for patients with history of thromboembolism, clotting disorders, or active cardiovascular disease.

Results timelines vary by treatment: Topical treatments show initial brightening over 4–8 weeks; full effect at 3–6 months. Chemical peels show visible results 1–2 weeks after each session as treated skin sheds. Laser treatments: pigmentation darkens briefly (3–5 days) before shedding — improvement visible at 2–4 weeks post-session. Multiple sessions compound the effect.

Melasma has a high recurrence risk if UV and hormonal triggers continue. With a proper maintenance plan — SPF50+ daily, periodic topical therapy, and annual booster sessions — most patients maintain excellent long-term control. Freckles treated by laser can recur if sun protection is not maintained. Age spots, once removed, typically do not return to the same spots unless there is ongoing UV damage.

Ready to See Clearer Skin?

Start with a consultation — a thorough skin assessment with Dr. Pang to understand exactly what type of pigmentation you have and design the right plan for you. No pressure. No packages on your first visit.

Consultation with Dr. Pang Personally
Digital Skin Analysis Included
No Pressure, No Packages on First Visit
Same-Week Appointments Available
Bangkok Mediplex, Ekkamai, Bangkok