Tranexamic Acid
THE PIGMENT REGULATOR
Calms the signals that cause skin to overproduce pigment, helping fade existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming.Melasma · Hydroquinone-free
The Dark Spot Solution Rx
Tranexamic Acid · Kojic Acid · Tretinoin · Niacinamide
For melasma that needs a long-term plan, not a short course.
$35.50/month
Starting with a 2-month supply
- Free shipping
- Skip or delay refills
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Ongoing support
Melasma · Hydroquinone-free
The Dark Spot Solution Rx
Tranexamic Acid · Kojic Acid · Tretinoin · Niacinamide
For melasma that needs a long-term plan, not a short course.
$35.50/month
Starting with a 2-month supply
Four prescription actives, no hydroquinone, no cycling on and off. Tranexamic acid calms the signals that drive melasma. Kojic acid slows new melanin as it forms. Tretinoin lifts the pigment already sitting near the surface. Niacinamide reduces how much pigment transfers between skin cells and keeps the formula comfortable enough for nightly use, long term. Dosed by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team.
Treats the following dark spot concerns:
- Free shipping
- Skip or delay refills
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Ongoing support
Formulations
Every formulation uses the same four actives. What changes between them is the strength of the tretinoin, so a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team can match the retinoid to your skin's tolerance. Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide stay at the same strength across all three.
You do not choose your formulation. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team sets it from your assessment.
Gentle — Lowest retinoid strength
Active ingredients:
- Tranexamic Acid 8%
- Kojic Acid 3%
- Tretinoin 0.025%
- Niacinamide 2%
Everyday — Mid retinoid strength
Active ingredients:
- Tranexamic Acid 8%
- Kojic Acid 3%
- Tretinoin 0.05%
- Niacinamide 2%
Maximum — Highest retinoid strength
Active ingredients:
- Tranexamic Acid 8%
- Kojic Acid 3%
- Tretinoin 0.1%
- Niacinamide 2%
How & Why It Works
- Tranexamic acid calms the signals that cause skin to overproduce pigment
- Kojic acid slows the formation of new melanin
- Tretinoin speeds up cell turnover to lift pigment sitting near the surface
- Niacinamide reduces how much pigment transfers between skin cells
- Designed for full-face use, so tone evens across your whole face, not just the darkest areas
- No hydroquinone, so it's made for ongoing use without cycling on and off
- Niacinamide and ceramides support the skin barrier so treatment stays comfortable
- Compounded by a licensed pharmacy for each prescription
This formula includes prescription tretinoin, so some people notice mild, temporary effects as their skin adjusts to treatment. These are typically short-lived and manageable with simple care steps.
Common adjustment effects can include mild dryness, peeling, itching, or redness. Applying a moisturizer helps soothe irritation, and most people find their skin settles within the first few weeks. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team reviews your case and sets a formulation appropriate for your skin.
Daily SPF matters more with pigmentation than with almost anything else. Sun exposure reactivates the same process the formula is working to calm, so protecting your skin is part of the treatment, not an extra step.
How to Use
After cleansing, wait at least 20 minutes for your skin to dry fully. Apply a pea-sized amount across your full face in the evening, not just on individual spots. More is not better, and using more can cause peeling without improving results.
Start with every other night for the first one to two weeks, then increase to nightly as your skin tolerates it. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team will set your ramp-up plan.
Follow with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to keep your skin comfortable as it adjusts.
Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, minimum SPF 30, every morning. Tretinoin makes your skin more sensitive to sun, so daily protection isn’t optional.
- Most people see visible changes in 8 to 16 weeks with consistent use
- One bottle is approximately a two-month supply
Pairs Well With
The Precision Dark Spot Corrector
A prescription-strength spot treatment for the one or two patches that hold on longest. Designed to layer over your nightly formula, not replace it. Contains hydroquinone, so a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team will set a cycling schedule.
The Hair Reduction Solution
A daily prescription cream that slows unwanted facial hair on the upper lip and chin, where hormonal pigmentation often shows up too.
100% Compounded Online PharmacyPrescription-Only TreatmentsNo Long-Term Commitments
What's The Dark Spot Solution?
Four prescription actives, no hydroquinone, no cycling on and off. Tranexamic acid calms the signals that drive melasma. Kojic acid slows new melanin as it forms. Tretinoin lifts the pigment already sitting near the surface. Niacinamide reduces how much pigment transfers between skin cells and keeps the formula comfortable enough for nightly use, long term. Dosed by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team.
Treats the following dark spot concerns:
- Free shipping
- Skip or delay refills
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Ongoing support
Formulations
Every formulation uses the same four actives. What changes between them is the strength of the tretinoin, so a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team can match the retinoid to your skin's tolerance. Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide stay at the same strength across all three.
You do not choose your formulation. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team sets it from your assessment.
Gentle — Lowest retinoid strength
Active ingredients:
- Tranexamic Acid 8%
- Kojic Acid 3%
- Tretinoin 0.025%
- Niacinamide 2%
Everyday — Mid retinoid strength
Active ingredients:
- Tranexamic Acid 8%
- Kojic Acid 3%
- Tretinoin 0.05%
- Niacinamide 2%
Maximum — Highest retinoid strength
Active ingredients:
- Tranexamic Acid 8%
- Kojic Acid 3%
- Tretinoin 0.1%
- Niacinamide 2%
How & Why It Works
- Tranexamic acid calms the signals that cause skin to overproduce pigment
- Kojic acid slows the formation of new melanin
- Tretinoin speeds up cell turnover to lift pigment sitting near the surface
- Niacinamide reduces how much pigment transfers between skin cells
- Designed for full-face use, so tone evens across your whole face, not just the darkest areas
- No hydroquinone, so it's made for ongoing use without cycling on and off
- Niacinamide and ceramides support the skin barrier so treatment stays comfortable
- Compounded by a licensed pharmacy for each prescription
This formula includes prescription tretinoin, so some people notice mild, temporary effects as their skin adjusts to treatment. These are typically short-lived and manageable with simple care steps.
Common adjustment effects can include mild dryness, peeling, itching, or redness. Applying a moisturizer helps soothe irritation, and most people find their skin settles within the first few weeks. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team reviews your case and sets a formulation appropriate for your skin.
Daily SPF matters more with pigmentation than with almost anything else. Sun exposure reactivates the same process the formula is working to calm, so protecting your skin is part of the treatment, not an extra step.
How to Use
After cleansing, wait at least 20 minutes for your skin to dry fully. Apply a pea-sized amount across your full face in the evening, not just on individual spots. More is not better, and using more can cause peeling without improving results.
Start with every other night for the first one to two weeks, then increase to nightly as your skin tolerates it. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team will set your ramp-up plan.
Follow with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to keep your skin comfortable as it adjusts.
Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, minimum SPF 30, every morning. Tretinoin makes your skin more sensitive to sun, so daily protection isn’t optional.
- Most people see visible changes in 8 to 16 weeks with consistent use
- One bottle is approximately a two-month supply
Pairs Well With
The Precision Dark Spot Corrector
A prescription-strength spot treatment for the one or two patches that hold on longest. Designed to layer over your nightly formula, not replace it. Contains hydroquinone, so a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team will set a cycling schedule.
The Hair Reduction Solution
A daily prescription cream that slows unwanted facial hair on the upper lip and chin, where hormonal pigmentation often shows up too.
The clinical team
The medicine behind your prescription is built by the doctors you already follow.
The Dark Spot Solution Rx wasn't pulled from a generic template. Its protocol was designed by Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, Dr. Mamina Turegano, and Dr. Jenny Liu, three board-certified dermatologists with combined decades of clinical experience treating women whose melasma has been mismanaged by every drugstore brightening serum they've tried.
Your prescription is then written by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team, working from the protocol they built. Dermatologist-built medicine, delivered to your door.
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky MDDr. Mamina Turegano, MDDr. Jenny Liu, MD
What's in the bottle
Real actives. Named, not hidden.
Four ingredients. One purpose: steady pigmentation correction, without the limits that come with stronger brightening protocols.
Active Ingredients
Kojic Acid
THE MELANIN INHIBITOR
Inhibits melanin production to brighten uneven areas and support a more balanced, even skin tone over time.
Tretinoin
THE CELL TURNOVER ACTIVE
A prescription retinoid that accelerates cell turnover to lift surface pigmentation and improve overall skin clarity and texture.
Niacinamide
THE BARRIER SUPPORT
A form of vitamin B3 that reduces the transfer of pigment to skin cells and helps even out tone while making prescription actives more comfortable.Supporting Ingredients
Centella Asiatica
THE CALMER
A clinically studied botanical that soothes irritation and supports recovery. Used in dermatology for decades, the quiet ingredient that keeps the strong ones comfortable.
Ceramides
THE BARRIER REPAIR
Lipids that reinforce the skin barrier and lock in moisture. For skin on maximum-strength actives, barrier health is what keeps you on treatment, and ceramides protect the foundation.Exact concentrations are determined by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team based on your assessment, your tolerance, and your skin's history. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
What to expect
Steady tone correction, without the cycling.
The Dark Spot Solution Rx uses four ingredients that work on different stages of pigment formation: tranexamic acid calms the inflammatory signals that drive melasma; kojic acid inhibits the enzyme that produces melanin; tretinoin accelerates cell turnover to lift surface pigmentation; niacinamide reduces pigment transfer between skin cells. Because the formula skips hydroquinone, you can stay on it long-term without the on/off cycling protocols that come with stronger brightening regimens.
- Fades existing melasma, sun spots, and hormonal pigmentation
- Supports a more even-looking tone over time
- Designed for full-face use, not spot treatment
- Made for long-term use with no cycling required
- Works on multiple stages of pigment formation in one nightly formula
Built for the woman who needs a formula she can stay on.
The Dark Spot Solution Rx is our continuous-use prescription for melasma and sun-related pigmentation. Tranexamic acid and kojic acid work on melanin from two different angles, paired with prescription tretinoin and niacinamide. Because there is no hydroquinone in the formula, there are no planned breaks. You stay on it for as long as a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team says it is right for your skin.
Ideal for you if you're
Coming off hydroquinone and looking for a formula you can stay on
Noticing early-stage melasma or sun-related dark spots
Looking for a gentler, long-term pigmentation correction approach
Preferring a non-hydroquinone formula for ongoing use without cycling
Dealing with hormonal pigmentation from pregnancy, birth control, or perimenopause
Ready to begin a prescription brightening routine, as confirmed during your assessment
Consider a different fit if you're:
Pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive. Tretinoin is not safe during pregnancy
Dealing with deep, stubborn melasma that has not responded to other treatments. The Brightening Solutionᴿˣ may be the better fit
Looking for a prescription with hydroquinone for stronger pigment control. The Brightening Solutionᴿˣ is built for that
Dealing with post-acne marks that are pink or red rather than brown. Those are post-inflammatory erythema, and The Red Mark Solutionᴿˣ is built for that
Using oral isotretinoin (Accutane) or have used it in the past 6 months
Already on a prescription pigmentation treatment that's working. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist before changing
What our customers are saying.
I had dark spots from years of sun exposure and hormonal changes. The Dark Spot Solution started working within weeks and my skin tone is so much more even now.
Maria C.
I was nervous about starting a prescription treatment for melasma. DermClick made the whole process easy and the results have been incredible. My spots have faded noticeably.
Isabel T.
After years of spending money on brightening serums that barely worked, a prescription formula through DermClick delivered the results I had been chasing for a long time.
Diana P.
Realistic timeline
What you may see in 8–16 weeks.
Melasma treatment is slow, steady work. Pigmentation that took years to deposit doesn't lift overnight.
Here's what most people experience with consistent use plus daily SPF.
Results vary. Timelines depend on your starting skin, your formula strength, and how consistently you apply your treatment.
Weeks 1–2
Adjustment
Your skin gets used to prescription tretinoin. You may notice mild dryness, peeling, or sensitivity. This is expected and typically settles within the first 2 to 4 weeks. Your DermClick care team can adjust your application frequency if needed.Weeks 3–7
Early fading
Surface pigmentation begins to soften. Your overall tone starts to look more even, especially in areas of recent sun damage. Deeper melasma patches will take longer.Weeks 8–16
Visible improvement
Dark spots and melasma patches look meaningfully lighter. Tone is more uniform. New pigmentation is less likely to form when SPF is being used daily. This is the point most people feel the treatment has earned its place.Beyond 16 weeks
Maintenance
The Dark Spot Solutionᴿˣ is designed for long-term use. Your DermClick care team checks in to adjust your formula as your skin shifts. Melasma is chronic. Without ongoing treatment and SPF, pigmentation typically returns.Results vary. Timelines depend on your starting skin, your formula strength, and how consistently you apply your treatment.
How DermClick works
Three steps. No appointments. Reviewed by a board-certified dermatologist within one business day.
Tell us about your skin.
Take our skin assessment. Share your concerns, your skin's history, what you've tried before, and a few photos. The more we know, the better the formula.
One business day review
Your case is reviewed within one business day, and your prescription is written by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team.
Tranexamic Acid
Kojic Acid
Tretinoin
NiacinamideYour prescription arrives
Your formula is compounded by a licensed pharmacy and shipped to your door, usually within a week. Your DermClick care team stays with you, adjusting your formula as your skin responds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from The Brightening Solutionᴿˣ?
The Dark Spot Solutionᴿˣ uses tranexamic acid, kojic acid, tretinoin, and niacinamide, with no hydroquinone. It is prescribed for mild to moderate melasma, and because there is no hydroquinone in it, there are no planned breaks. The Brightening Solutionᴿˣ adds hydroquinone for stronger pigment control on deeper, more stubborn melasma, and hydroquinone formulas typically require cycling protocols (use for a period, then pause) to avoid side effects from continuous use.
The two are designed to work together over time. If a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team places you on The Brightening Solutionᴿˣ, The Dark Spot Solutionᴿˣ is what you step down to during the off-cycles. Your assessment determines which fits your pigmentation.
Will this work for melasma during pregnancy?
No. The Dark Spot Solutionᴿˣ contains tretinoin, which is not safe during pregnancy or nursing. Melasma is extremely common during pregnancy (often called "the mask of pregnancy"), but it requires a pregnancy-safe approach, typically daily broad-spectrum SPF and trigger avoidance, with treatment starting after delivery and after breastfeeding ends. If you're pregnant or planning to be, contact our support team to discuss timing.
Why does this take so long to work?
Melasma is deep, layered pigmentation that built up over years or decades. The pigment sits in the skin in layers, and lifting it requires the natural cell turnover cycle, which takes weeks. Tretinoin accelerates that cycle; tranexamic acid and kojic acid prevent new pigment from being produced; niacinamide reduces the transfer of pigment between cells. It is still measured in months, not weeks.
Do I still need to wear sunscreen?
Yes, and this is the single most important habit for melasma treatment. UV exposure is the dominant trigger for melasma, and using prescription brightening actives without daily SPF is like draining a sink with the water still running. Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, every morning, every day (including cloudy days and indoor days near windows), is non-negotiable. Many people also wear a wide-brimmed hat and avoid direct sun during peak hours. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team will cover the specifics during your assessment.
Can I use this with other actives in my routine?
Most of your routine can stay. Gentle cleansers, fragrance-free moisturizers, vitamin C serum in the morning, and daily SPF all pair well with The Dark Spot Solutionᴿˣ. What you should pause: other retinoids (you're already getting prescription tretinoin), high-concentration acids (salicylic, lactic, mandelic, glycolic), benzoyl peroxide in the same step, since it can deactivate tretinoin, and any other product containing hydroquinone. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team will review your routine during your assessment.
What if my melasma keeps coming back?
Melasma is chronic. It's driven by hormones, UV exposure, and genetics, and it tends to return whenever those triggers are active. The realistic goal isn't permanent elimination; it's consistent management. Most people do best with ongoing nightly use of The Dark Spot Solutionᴿˣ plus daily SPF. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team may adjust your formula as your skin shifts. If you don't see results after four to six months of consistent use, they may step you up to The Brightening Solutionᴿˣ.
Where can I find full safety information?
Full prescribing details, including side effects, drug interactions, and who shouldn't use this treatment, are available on our Important Safety Information page. We recommend reading it before starting treatment.
The Dark Spot Solution Rx handles pigmentation. But the same skin that develops melasma is often hormonally driven, sun-sensitive, and prone to uneven tone, which means it usually has more going on. Here are the prescriptions that pair most naturally with it.
The Anti-Aging Solution
Tretinoin · Niacinamide
$34.50/mo
Billed every 2 months. Cancel anytime. Skip or delay refills. Total per cycle: $69.00.
The dermatologist go-to. One prescription retinoid that helps clear breakouts and smooth fine lines, paired with niacinamide to calm irritation.
Targets:Fine lines · Texture · Breakouts · Clogged pores · Uneven tone
The Brightening Solution
Hydroquinone · Kojic Acid · Tretinoin · Niacinamide
$36.00/mo
Billed every 2 months. Cancel anytime. Skip or delay refills. Total per cycle: $72.00.
A four-active prescription formula that helps fade dark spots and even out tone with prescription-strength brightening.
Targets:Dark spots · Melasma · Uneven tone · Brown post-acne marks
The Precision Dark Spot Corrector
Hydroquinone
$37.00/mo
Billed every 2 months. Cancel anytime. Skip or delay refills. Total per cycle: $74.00.
A prescription-strength spot treatment that targets specific dark spots and stubborn discoloration.
Targets:Isolated dark spots · Sun spots · Stubborn discoloration