The Facts About Melasma

Melasma is a fairly common skin condition categorized by the appearance of brownish and grey-brown patches on your skin. The most common areas affected include the cheeks, the bridge of your nose, the chin and sometimes even your upper lip. Melasma patches can also appear on other parts of your body, namely your forearms and your neck.

Who is at risk of getting Melasma? Those who are affected are people who naturally have darker skin. This includes people who are of African, Latin/Hispanic, Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian descent. If your family has a history of having melasma as a condition, chances are then you would also have the same chance of getting it. Females make up over 90% of those affected by this skin condition.

The main cause of Melasma is sun exposure. The UV rays from the sun can be harsh on your skin, and as a result brown or grey-brown spots can develop. Changes in hormones, like during pregnancy, can also be a key cause of getting Melasma. Birth control pills and hormone medications have also been known to cause this disease.

Melasma can be diagnosed by your dermatologist just by looking at your skin. They might use intense light to see how deep the penetration of melasma is, and in some extreme cases, a biopsy may be needed to properly determine and identify the condition.

Treatments include the usage of sunscreen regularly. Remember that prevention is better than treatment. A broad spectrum sunscreen that includes UVA and UVB protection is recommended. Make sure to re-apply every couple of hours, especially when you know you will be outdoors for a long time. Another common treatment for this skin condition is dermatologist-prescribed hydroquinone. Lightening the dark spots can slowly fade them away. Hydroquinone can be in the form of gel, lotion or cream. You can also get certain in-office treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasions.