Cosmelan®

What is Cosmelan?

Cosmelan is a professional depigmentation treatment available at Natural Aesthetics clinics across Cape Town, in Green Point, Tyger Valley, and Somerset West. This world-renowned medical peel and homecare programme targets stubborn pigmentation, melasma, sun damage, and uneven skin tone by regulating melanin production at its source, restoring a clearer, brighter, and more even complexion.

How Cosmelan Works

Cosmelan is a medical-grade depigmentation system that targets the root cause of unwanted pigmentation by regulating the skin’s natural melanin production cycle. The active ingredients in the Cosmelan formula inhibit tyrosinase, the key enzyme responsible for melanin synthesis. By suppressing this enzyme, the treatment reduces the formation of new dark spots while gradually fading existing pigmentation, including melasma, sun damage, and post-inflammatory marks.

Unlike traditional peels that only resurface the top layer of skin, Cosmelan works at a cellular level, balancing pigment production and promoting even skin tone. This makes it one of the most effective treatments for stubborn and recurring pigmentation concerns, delivering both immediate improvement and long-term results when combined with proper homecare.

Cosmelan Clinic Cape Town

Cosmelan peels stand out as one of the most effective depigmentation solutions on the market. Unlike traditional treatments such as chemical peels or IPL treatments that work only on the skin’s surface, Cosmelan acts at a cellular level to target the source of excess melanin production.

Additional benefits include:

  • Suitable for all skin types and tones
  • Long-lasting results with proper maintenance
  • Proven efficacy in treating a wide range of pigmentation concerns
  • Globally recognised as one of the gold standard treatments for melasma and dark spots

At Natural Aesthetics, our skilled professionals customise each Cosmelan treatment to meet your individual skincare needs, ensuring a safe, effective, and transformative result.

Cosmelan Treatment Phases

1. Preparation Phase (2 weeks before treatment): The Cosmelan journey begins with a homecare preparation phase using Mesoestetic products prescribed by your therapist. This phase is essential to balance and strengthen the skin barrier, regulate oil production, and ensure optimal absorption of the active ingredients during treatment. Preparing the skin in advance also reduces the risk of irritation and enhances overall results.

2. In-Clinic Application (Day of treatment): During your in-clinic visit, the Cosmelan professional mask is applied to your skin by one of our trained aesthetic therapists. The mask remains on the skin for a set duration, determined by your skin type and concern. You’ll remove the mask at home after the instructed time, beginning the depigmentation process. Over the following days, mild peeling, redness, and sensitivity are expected as the skin renews and pigmentation begins to fade.

3. Maintenance Phase (Post-treatment): After your skin has recovered, you’ll transition to the maintenance phase using the Cosmelan 2 Kit, which includes depigmenting and restorative products. This phase is vital for stabilising results, continuing pigment control, and preventing new dark spots from forming. Consistent use of the homecare products, along with daily broad-spectrum SPF, ensures lasting clarity, smoothness, and a balanced skin tone.

After your consultation, you will begin preparing your skin for this intensive resurfacing treatment. During the two-week preparation phase, you’ll use prescribed homecare products from Mesoestetic, which include Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control, Brightening Peel Booster, and Hydracream Fusion, along with HOCL Spray (an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory solution that supports skin healing and balance).

Two days prior to your Cosmelan treatment, you will receive a Mesoestetic chemical peel to further prepare your skin and optimise absorption for enhanced results during the Cosmelan procedure.

During Treatment

  • Your Cosmelan treatment is performed in-clinic by one of our trained aesthetic therapists under medical supervision. The professional-strength Cosmelan mask is applied evenly to the face and remains on the skin for a specific number of hours, depending on your skin type and concern. You’ll then remove the mask at home following precise instructions provided by your therapist.
  • Over the next few days, mild redness, tightness, and flaking will occur as the skin renews. This is a normal and expected part of the depigmentation process. Most patients report noticeable brightening and a more even tone within the first two weeks.


Homecare and Maintenance (3 months post-treatment)

  • After the in-clinic procedure, you’ll transition to a homecare and maintenance phase lasting approximately three months. This phase is crucial to maintain results, prevent new pigmentation, and support long-term skin health.

  • You’ll use the Cosmelan 2 Kit, which includes depigmenting and restorative products such as the Cosmelan 2 cream, Melan Recovery, and Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control SPF. These products help to stabilise melanin production, reduce inflammation, and protect against UV exposure.

  • Daily SPF application is mandatory, and your therapist will guide you on how often to apply the Cosmelan 2 cream as your skin adjusts. Regular check-ins are recommended to monitor progress and make adjustments to your routine as needed.

  • By following this structured homecare plan, your results will continue to improve over the weeks and months that follow, revealing clearer, brighter, and more even-toned skin.

Each phase will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. You don’t need to pay for the full programme upfront, as payments can be made per treatment phase.

All our patients earn 5% back in loyalty points with each treatment or product purchase. These points can be redeemed towards any skincare product purchase (in-clinic or online) or any therapist-performed treatment.

Payment plans are also available through Mobicred, allowing you to pay conveniently over 3 to 9 months.

Treatment PhasePrice
Prep PhaseR5,500
Cosmelan Mask & Homecare KitR16,960
Maintenance Phase KitR9,670

Before & after

These are actual results from our patients who completed the Cosmelan Depigmentation Programme at Natural Aesthetics clinics in Cape Town. Each transformation reflects the effectiveness of the treatment when performed under medical supervision and supported by consistent homecare. Most aftercare photos were taken between the 3–6 month mark post-treatment.

Mesoestetic Treatments at Natural Aesthetics

Meet Our team

Guided by Dr. Wade Merchant, our team of doctors and medically trained aesthetic therapists are highly experienced in performing advanced Dermapen 4™ Microneedling treatments to target scarring, pigmentation, fine lines, and skin texture concerns. Our professional Dermapen 4™ microneedling treatments are available across Cape Town at our clinics in Green Point, Tyger Valley, and Somerset West.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are a few of the most common questions and answers regarding the Cosmelan Depigmentation Programme. If you have any other questions or would like personalised guidance, please book a consultation with one of our aesthetic therapists.

Natural Aesthetics has three conveniently located clinics across Cape Town — in Green PointTyger Valley, and Somerset West. With a 4.8-star Google Review rating across all three clinics.

At Natural Aesthetics, all patients earn loyalty points on every treatment and product purchase, including Cosmelan. Points can be redeemed towards any skincare product (in-clinic or online) or any therapist-performed treatment, helping you save while maintaining your long-term skin health.

The Cosmelan treatment is not painful, but patients may experience a mild stinging or warm sensation during the in-clinic mask application. In the days following, temporary redness, dryness, and peeling are expected as the skin renews. These effects are part of the normal process and subside within one to two weeks.

Yes. Cosmelan is suitable for most skin types and tones, including darker skin, as it works by regulating melanin production rather than using heat or light. It is also one of the safest and most effective options for melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation when performed under medical supervision.

Cosmelan is typically performed once as a complete depigmentation programme, followed by ongoing maintenance with the Cosmelan 2 homecare kit. Most patients repeat the professional treatment every one to two years to maintain long-term results and prevent new pigmentation from forming.

No. The Cosmelan treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to the strength of the active ingredients. You can, however, book a consultation to plan a customised brightening or hydrating treatment that is safe during this time and return for Cosmelan once cleared.

Most patients begin to see visible improvement within 2 to 3 weeks after treatment, with continued brightening and fading of pigmentation over the following months. The most dramatic results are typically seen between the 3 to 6 month mark when combined with consistent homecare and sun protection.

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