I had a glycolic peel once a month...with the strenght increasing each time. I started at 10% and went to 70%.
After each peel, I waited one week then I applied Retin A in the evening and Ultraquin in the morning until my next peel. I had 8 peels in all. Then my doctor precribed a compound cream..........hydroquinone, retin A and betaderm. The peels were to prepare my face for the cream to penetrate. So NO results were seen from the peels. This took from December to June. I started the cream in June. Six weeks into the cream...my melasma faded at least 90%.
Major face sunblock is required for the rest of my life. Any type of tan or burn on my face will absolutely bring my Melasma back. But I don't have a problem with that because I used sunblock on my face ever since my Melasma started in 2002. I use sunblock, hats, visors and yes..........umbrellas when in the sun.