Melasma

What is melasma?

Melasma is a condition where brown patches appear on the face. Sometimes it manifests during pregnancy (“mask of pregnancy”) – this is because estrogen is thought to play a role in this condition. Mostly women are affected by melasma, but it can also affect men. The sun makes melasma worse – and it takes very little sun exposure to see melasma get darker. Patients often remark that it lightens significantly over winter and gets much worse on the first few sunny days of the Spring. Melasma tends to be a chronic condition that waxes and wanes. Though it can be controlled, it cannot be cured. 

What treatments are available for this condition?

Strict sun protection is key to prevent melasma – hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Sunscreens with visible light protection (with a tint!) may provide additional protection. Cosmeceutical brightening agents can help – sometimes prescription brightening agents or even oral medications can be considered during a medical appointment. 

Lasers can be used as adjuncts to the treatment of melasma, but they are not a cure – picosecond laser in particular has been helpful for our patients. It is critical to maintain sun avoidance and use other treatments ongoing, as the skin remains sensitive to developing melasma even once improved.