The incidence of cutaneous melanoma, which originates from melanocytes, is increasing and poses a significant public health threat. Current treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) represent novel and promising treatment strategies. PDT research highlights its ability to induce apoptosis and autophagy in melanoma cells, although the light-absorbing properties of melanin can limit its effectiveness. In contrast, PTT utilizes melanin’s photothermal properties and shows encouraging preclinical results. Research has also explored nanoparticle-enhanced PDT and PTT, with preliminary findings indicating improved efficacy. However, the clinical adoption of PDT and PTT remains limited due to their early development stage, and further research is essential for refining these therapies for wider clinical use.