What is Melasma

Melasma is a skin condition that causes areas of darker coloring. It usually appears in patches on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and neck. These patches can look like a mask.

The discolored areas do not itch and are not red or swollen. Melasma is not contagious. This means that it does not spread from person to person.

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition is not known. However, it can be started by certain triggers, such as:

• Being out in the sun.
• Allergies to medicines or cosmetics.
• Changes in your hormones, such as:
  • Taking birth control medicines.
  • Taking hormone replacement therapy.
  • Being pregnant.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Being a woman. Melasma is less common in men.
• Having a family history of melasma.
• Having darker skin.
• Living in a tropical climate.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The only symptom of this condition is dark or tan patches on the skin.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam. Your health care provider will examine the physical appearance of your skin. He or she may use an ultraviolet light, called a Wood lamp, to look more closely at your skin.
• Biopsy. A small sample of your skin is taken and examined under a microscope. This is done to make sure your melasma is not caused by another skin condition, such as skin cancer.

How is this treated?

There is no cure for this condition. However, there are treatments that may lighten the color of the darker patches. Treatment may include:

• Medicines, such as bleaching or steroid creams.
• Facial or chemical peels.
• Laser treatment.
• Dermabrasion or microdermabrasion. These procedures use fine instruments to scrape and remove the outer layer of skin in order to grow new, healthy-looking skin.

Your melasma may also go away on its own over time.

Follow these instructions at home:

Lifestyle

• Avoid overexposure to the sun, especially in tropical areas.
• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.
• Wear a hat that protects your face from the sun.
• Use gentle cosmetics that are meant for sensitive skin.
• Do not use wax to remove excess hair in areas where you have or have had melasma.

General instructions

• Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have new symptoms.
• Your symptoms get worse.
• Your affected skin areas are:
  • Bleeding.
  • Irritated.

Summary

• Melasma is a skin condition that causes areas of darker coloring that do not itch and are not red or swollen.
• The cause of this condition is not known. However, it can be started by certain triggers such as sun exposure, allergies to medicines or cosmetics, or changes in your hormones.
• Risk factors include being a woman, having a family history of melasma, having darker skin, or living in a tropical climate.
• There is no cure for this condition. However, there are treatments that may lighten the color of the darker patches. They include medicine, facial or chemical peels, laser treatment, dermabrasion, or microdermabrasion.