Say goodbye to the blotchiness of melasma. With an online consultation from Dr. B, you can get prescription care for melasma from the convenience of your couch.
Tell us about your condition with a $15 online consultation. No video calls necessary.
If a melasma prescription is recommended after a medical provider reviews your treatment, it will be sent to your pharmacy.
Pick up and pay for the medication at the pharmacy of your choice. Or, get it delivered.
Dr. B offers online consultations for $15, which is less than most co-pays. If a melasma prescription is appropriate, your out-of-pocket cost for your medication will depend on your insurance and where you decide to get your prescription filled.
Medication
Dr. B offers over several treatments for melasma. We’ve highlighted a few of our most popular and affordable options below, but you can also choose others, including both brand and generic medications.
Hydroquinone is a prescription topical cream used to treat melasma symptoms, including skin discoloration, hyperpigmentation and "age spots." This generic medication works by blocking melanin production, helping lighten skin tone in the areas where it is applied.
Prescription length:
30 days, 1 refill
Application:
Topical, applied daily
Typical pharmacy prices:
Tri-Luma topical is a brand medication for melasma. It includes three medications: Hydroquinone to lighten skin pigment; Tretinoin, a retinoid that helps skin turnover, and Fluocinolone, a corticosteroid that can minimize swelling or redness.
Prescription length:
30 days, 1 refill
Application:
Topical, applied daily
Typical pharmacy prices:
Hydroquinone is a prescription topical cream used to treat melasma symptoms, including skin discoloration, hyperpigmentation and "age spots." This generic medication works by blocking melanin production, helping lighten skin tone in the areas where it is applied.
Tri-Luma topical is a brand medication for melasma. It includes three medications: Hydroquinone to lighten skin pigment; Tretinoin, a retinoid that helps skin turnover, and Fluocinolone, a corticosteroid that can minimize swelling or redness.
Prescription length:
30 days, 1 refill
Prescription length:
30 days, 1 refill
Application:
Topical, applied daily
Application:
Topical, applied daily
Typical pharmacy prices:
Typical pharmacy prices:
Looking for a different medication? Here are some options.
Complete a confidential virtual health assessment to learn more.
Melasma is a skin condition that includes dark blotches or smooth, freckly patches of skin, usually on the face. It is much more common in women, especially those with darker skin. Many people first notice melasma during pregnancy or after starting birth control pills. It can last anywhere from a few months or years to a lifetime.
The condition is associated with an increase in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can occur due to:
Melasma is frequently called the “mask of pregnancy” because it is so common during this time. Sun exposure can make melasma worse.
Melasma is not dangerous and it is not a sign of cancer. Melasma occurs when skin cells called melanocytes produce more melanin, a substance that is responsible for skin, eye and hair pigmentation.
Researchers believe there is a genetic component to melasma, and individuals with a family history of melasma may not be able to prevent it from developing. You can minimize or reduce melasma by using high-SPF sunscreen, avoiding direct sunlight and choosing birth control methods that do not contain estrogen or progesterone. Melasma is sometimes triggered by an event, such as pregnancy or increased sun exposure, and may clear up after the event passes.
Medicated creams can help reduce uneven skin tone related to melasma. Two common topical medications for melasma include Hydroquinone and a combination medication that includes Fluocinolone, Hydroquinone and Tretinoin. Hydroquinone lightens skin pigment and works by blocking melanin production. Tretinoin is a retinoid, a chemical formed from vitamin A, that encourages cell turnover. Fluocinolone is a corticosteroid that reduces swelling, itching and redness.
Medicated creams are typically applied once or twice a day, or as directed by your provider. The creams should be applied on clean skin before sunscreen or make-up. It’s important to know that some melasma creams can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s especially important to practice good sun safety while using these medications.
Some melasma medications can cause skin dryness, stinging, redness or blue-black skin discoloration, especially for people with darker skin. These medications can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun and increase the risk of sunburn. Talk to your medical provider about how long you should use your melasma medication or if you notice any worsening of skin discoloration while taking these medications.
You can get prescription melasma treatment with an online medical consultation with Dr. B. To get started you'll complete a comprehensive health assessment, which is reviewed by vetted doctors and medical providers. If your medical provider recommends a melasma prescription, you'll be able to choose from several different brand and generic options (or your provider can make a recommendation). After that, your prescription will be sent right to your pharmacy.
Consultation: A virtual medical consultation for melasma cream prescription costs $15.00, which is lower than most doctor co-pays. Currently, we don’t submit medical consultation claims to insurance companies, but you can use insurance or any resulting prescriptions at your pharmacy.
Medication: Dr. B only charges for the medical consultation. When medications are prescribed, we enable you to choose the most affordable or convenient pharmacy to get the prescription filled. Prices for your medication will vary depending on your insurance coverage and whether the drug is a brand or generic.
At this time, we don’t submit medical consultation claims to insurance companies, but you can use insurance for any resulting prescriptions at your pharmacy.
We’ll send you a reminder for an online assessment when it’s time for your next refill.
The whole team at Dr. B has been so helpful, making sure I got the best-suited medicine and checking up to see how things are going.
Kristin, Los Angeles