Melasma is one type of harmless hyperpigmentation that affects the areas of the face that get the most exposure to the sun, according to the National Institutes of Health. Also called cholasma, melasma can affect anyone. Younger women with darker skin tones are more likely to experience this skin condition, the NIH says, but there are additional risk factors.
More About Melasma
Melasma forms when the cells in your skin that produce pigment, melanocytes, produce too much unneeded pigment, according to the UT Southwestern Medical Center. This results in splotches of brown, hyperpigmented skin on the face that present bilaterally--usually on the nose, cheeks, forehead and upper lip.
Risk Factors
Women are most frequently affected by melasma, the UT Southwestern Medical Center says. Ten percent of adults who experience melasma are male. People of certain ethnic descent are also more likely to get melasma, including Hispanics, Asians and those from the Middle East and North Africa. The medical center says people with darker skin tones have melanocytes that produce more pigment than people with fairer skin types. However, exposure to the sun can also cause melasma as well.
Melasma in Women
Melasma is closely tied to increased levels of the female hormones progesterone and estrogen, the National Institutes of Health says. Melasma is often referred to as the "mask of pregnancy" because this skin condition is common in women who are expecting. It typically presents during the second or third trimester, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says. Women who take birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are also more susceptible to melasma.
Resolution
There's no cure for melasma, the UT Southwestern Medical Center says. In women, it generally resolves post-pregnancy or after hormonal therapies are discontinued. Others continue to struggle with melasma, and it can be a long-term and even lifelong problem. The medical center says sun protection is crucial, as melasma can worsen with exposure to ultraviolet rays. Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen, specifically a physical sunscreen that contains ingredients such as titatnium oxide or zinc oxide, is encouraged.
Melasma Treatments
The AOCD says treating melasma is a slow process that often takes months. Nonprescription and prescription hydroquinone creams can be used as topical bleaching agents to resolve hyperpigmentation. Your dermatologist can offer treatments to treat tougher cases of melasma that may involve a series of chemical peels, microdermabrasion sessions or laser treatments.
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