Inclusion Criteria:  Age: 18-50 years old. Pattern of melasma: Bilateral symmetrical facial melasma of any pattern. Fitzpatrick skin phototypes: Types III, IV and V  Exclusion Criteria:  Pregnancy and lactation. Patients taking oral contraceptive pills, hormonal replacement therapy or treatment for chronic illness at the time of the study or during the past 6 months. Coexistance of diseases associated with hyperpigmentation such as Addison disease. Scarring and keloid tendency, active skin infections as active HSV. Previous history of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.