Melasma is a noticeable skin condition that causes the formation of brown patches on the skin. While the cheeks, bridge of the nose, chin, upper lip and forehead are places where melasma is likely to form, the American Academy of Dermatology reports that the condition can also develop on the neck and forearms. Doctors typically offer several treatments to lighten dark skin patches caused by melasma.
Cause
Melasma affects men and women, but is more common in women, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Female hormones often play a part in the development of melasma. Pregnancy, use of hormonal birth control methods or hormone replacement therapy can trigger melasma. Exposure to the sun can also cause melasma.
Risk Factors
While being female raises your risk of developing melasma, you may also be more likely to develop the condition if you have darker skin. The American Academy of Dermatology reports people of North African, Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin or Mediterranean descent tend to have melasma more than other groups. If you have darker skin, the cells that produce the pigment that gives your skin its color are active. If your hormone levels change or you are exposed to the sun, these cells may produce even more pigment, causing melasma. Melasma on your face or neck can also occur if you take medication to control seizures or take drugs that make your skin more sensitive to the effects of the sun.
Treating Melasma
If you are pregnant or taking medication containing female hormones, melasma may fade several months after your baby is born or after you discontinue using hormones. If melasma doesn't fade on its own, your doctor may recommend bleaching the patches on your neck to make them less noticeable. Creams that contain a combination of tretinoin, kojic acid and azelaic acid have been shown to improve the appearance of melasma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If the skin on your neck doesn't look lighter after using a bleaching cream, your doctor may recommend another treatment for melasma, such as a chemical peel, microdermabrasion treatment or laser therapy. These treatments remove dark patches by peeling away the top layers of your skin.
Considerations
Extra pigment may be found in your epidermis, the thin, top layer of your skin, or the epidermis, the deeper layers of skin or in a combination of both, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. The depth of the melasma determines which type of treatment your doctor will recommend. If your melasma extends to the deeper layers of your skin, a topical cream may not be successful in lightening the skin.
Sun Protection
Protecting your skin from the sun's damaging rays can help make melasma treatment more effective. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing sunscreen even if you plan to spend most of the day inside, because even a brief walk or sitting next to a window can expose your skin to enough sunlight to trigger melasma.
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