Melasma

Dark or discolored patches of facial skin are often the result of a condition known as melasma. These gray-brown areas usually appear on the forehead, cheeks, bridge of the nose, chin, and above the upper lip, but can show up anywhere your skin is exposed to the sun. When the melanocytes (cells within the skin) produce too much pigmentation, melasma occurs.

Cause

While the exact cause of melasma is unknown, it appears to be an interaction between hormones and the sun. We know that the sun is necessary for development of melasma, and sun exposure darkens these spots. Melasma is often triggered by hormonal changes, and is more common in women. It often first appears during or after pregnancy, when taking oral contraceptives, or at other times when a woman’s hormones fluctuate. However, it can crop up for no obvious reason, and men can suffer from melasma as well.

Treatment

While melasma is not life-threatening, people are often self-conscious about it. It is natural to want to treat it. Protection from the sun is the best prevention and treatment for melasma. This includes avoiding exposure whenever possible, wearing a wide-brimmed hat outdoors, applying sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher) each day, and reapplying it at regular intervals.

Melasma may fade naturally with time; however persistent pigmentation requires treatment.* Non-prescription preparations containing botanical and natural lightening agents may fade mild cases.*

Treatments for melasma include:

  • UVA/UVB Sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher
  • Sunblock Lotions
  • Avoidance of Any Irritating Cleansers, Creams or Makeup Products
  • Discontinuation of Birth Control
  • Bleaching Creams including Hydroquinone
  • Glycolic Acid Peels

Talk with the professionals at Advanced Dermatology Care to learn more about melasma treatment regimen that is right for you.

*Disclaimer, results may vary from person to person.

Do you have any questions about Melasma? If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists in our Los Alamitos or Agoura Hills office, please contact us for a consultation.

Before & After Photos

See real before & after photos of Melasma Treatments.

Before & After Melasma Treatment

Before & After Melasma Treatment