Health insurance doesn't typically cover the cost of prescription creams for dark spots or uneven skin tone. To find out if your insurance will pay for any prescribed medications, you'll need to contact them directly. Amazon One Medical providers cannot help with insurance documentation or support prior authorizations through On-Demand Care.
Dark spot and melasma treatment
Share your symptoms with Health AI and get treatment from a provider if appropriate.
*Available only if prescribed. Medication price is for Prime members and varies based on prescription and payment method.
How it works
Check-in with Health AI
Complete a check-in with the help of Health AI.
Discuss with a provider
Review your health concern or treatment request with a One Medical provider via message.
Get treatment
Receive your care plan. If appropriate, prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy and, if you use Amazon Pharmacy, delivered to your door (if eligible).
Common prescription dark spot correctors and melasma creams
Your Amazon One Medical provider will determine which (if any) dark spot remover, melasma cream, or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) treatment is medically appropriate for you based on your symptoms and health history. If you're prescribed medication, your provider will send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. Choose Amazon Pharmacy for free delivery and transparent Prime pricing. The cost of your prescribed medication is not included with the treatment cost.
Prescriptions for oral tranexamic acid and kojic acid aren't available through On-Demand Care.
Tretinoin (Retin-A)
Hydroquinone 4%
Azelaic acid
What causes dark spots? Can they go away?
Dark spots, also called brown spots or age spots, are caused by sun exposure and cumulative photodamage to the skin. Because of this, they tend to become more common as people age.
You can help prevent dark spots by using sunscreen everyday. To lighten dark spots and even out skin tone, healthcare providers can prescribe topical face products that decrease pigment production in the skin.
What is melasma? What causes it?
Melasma is a chronic skin condition that causes certain sun-exposed areas like the forehead and cheeks to become darker (hyperpigmented) in patches.
Melasma can be caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays, hormonal influences like pregnancy, and genetics. The condition is more common in women than men, and it can be treated with prescription skin lightening creams like hydroquinone and azelaic acid.
Frequently asked questions
Will health insurance pay for any prescribed medication to treat dark spots and uneven skin tone?
Can I request online treatment for acne scars?
Can you treat raised dark spots or moles that have appeared recently?
What if I'm mostly concerned about wrinkles?
What are the potential risks of using hydroquinone?
What is PIH?
How do you prevent potential side effects of Retin-A?
When should I see a dermatologist for my melasma?
If your Amazon One Medical provider determines that you have moderate to severe melasma, characterized by very dark patches affecting a large area of your face, they may recommend that you see a dermatologist (skin specialist) for more treatment options.
Please note that TriLuma - a topical medication that combines fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone, and tretinoin - is usually prescribed in cases of moderate to severe melasma.
Clinical sources
1. Jiang, J., Akinseye, O., Tovar-Garza, A., & Pandya, A. G. (2017). The effect of melasma on self-esteem: A pilot study. International journal of women's dermatology, 4(1), 38–42.
2. McKesey, J., Tovar-Garza, A., & Pandya, A. G. (2020). Melasma Treatment: An Evidence-Based Review. American journal of clinical dermatology, 21(2), 173–225.
3. Wang, R. F., Ko, D., Friedman, B. J., Lim, H. W., & Mohammad, T. F. (2023). Disorders of hyperpigmentation. Part I. Pathogenesis and clinical features of common pigmentary disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 88(2), 271–288.
