If pigmentation is your main concern, you are not alone in Cape Town’s sun-rich climate. Melasma is stubborn, but the way we approach it has evolved. Instead of chasing a quick fix, the best results come from building tolerance, layering treatments thoughtfully, and protecting the barrier at every step.

Why Sequential Peels Work

A 2025 review of sequential peel protocols found meaningful improvement in melasma severity with a reduced risk of scarring, particularly in darker skin tones, a group historically underserved by aggressive peel treatments.

That’s especially important for South Africans, where the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation can be higher if peels are rushed or used too aggressively.

Sequential simply means taking the skin through a rhythm:

1. Stabilise with pigment suppressors and daily SPF.
2. Prepare with a gentle peel to encourage even penetration.
3. Introduce a deeper peel, such as Cosmelan or a TCA, once the skin is ready.
4. Space treatments to allow recovery, progress checks, and barrier support.

The Meraki Solution: Cosmelan + BioRePeel

At Meraki, our approach to melasma follows this best-practice rhythm. We focus on protocols that combine science with skin safety:

• Mesoestetic Cosmelan – a globally recognised depigmentation method that regulates melanin at its root. The in-clinic mask targets existing pigment, while the structured homecare maintains long-term control and reduces rebound.
• BioRePeel TCA – a modern TCA peel we integrate at key intervals to refine texture, boost radiance, and lift residual unevenness without extended downtime.

Together, Cosmelan and BioRePeel form a sequential plan: Cosmelan provides the framework to correct pigment in a controlled way, while BioRePeel enhances and supports progress over time.

We keep everything anchored in barrier care, pigment suppression and SPF, so your results are steady and sustainable.

Support Between Treatments

• Homecare made simple: pigment control serum, supportive moisturiser, and a sunscreen you’ll actually wear.
• LED phototherapy: our quiet helper that calms inflammation after peels, reduces the risk of flare-ups, and makes recovery more comfortable.

This ensures your investment in clinic translates into lasting results.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Cosmelan and BioRePeel may be right for you if:

• Your pigment patches darken easily with heat, stress or sun.
• You prefer a short period of visible downtime in exchange for stronger results.
• You’ve used brightening products for months and feel you’ve plateaued.

The key is patience and rhythm. Pigment takes time to form, and it takes time to unwind.

Our Take

Your skin does not need fixing. It needs the right support at the right time. A sequential plan built on Cosmelan and BioRePeel gives us a framework that respects your barrier and steadily lifts unwanted pigment.

When paired with daily pigment control and strict sunscreen habits, it’s a balanced way to move from frustrated to encouraged.

If you’d like a personalised plan, book a pigmentation consultation and we’ll map out the steps that make sense for your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see results from Cosmelan?
Most clients notice visible lightening within the first few weeks, with fuller results developing over the following months as the sequential plan progresses. Because melasma forms gradually, we build in the time your skin needs to respond safely rather than rushing the process.

Is Cosmelan safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, when done as part of a properly sequenced protocol. Rushed or overly aggressive peels carry more risk in darker skin, which is exactly why we stabilise and prepare the skin first rather than jumping straight to a deeper peel.

How much downtime does BioRePeel need?
Very little. It’s designed to refine texture and lift residual unevenness without the extended downtime of a deeper peel, which is why we use it between more intensive steps in your plan.

Will melasma come back after treatment?
Melasma can be triggered by sun, heat and hormonal changes, so ongoing sun protection and pigment control are part of every plan we build. Consistent homecare is what keeps results steady over time.

Do I need to stop my current skincare products before starting?
We review your current routine at your consultation and adjust anything that could interfere with the plan, particularly active ingredients that may irritate the skin before or after a peel.