Melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation and is a common concern especially amongst new moms. It is often called the "pregnancy mask" because this skin condition can be triggered by hormonal changes or UV exposure. Men can develop this condition, but more commonly seen in women.
Melasma appears as blotchy patches on the face usually the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin and upper lip. Melasma can appear on other parts of the body like the neck and forearms.
Melasma is tougher to treat because hormonal influences play a significant role and removing these triggers such as pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and other hormonal therapies are challenging.
*Post 2 PicoSure Laser Treatments on the cheeks
The most common and effective treatment for melasma is sun protection. Daily sunscreen application is a must with reapplication every 2 hours. Long sleeves and hats are advised when outside as sunscreen alone may not give the full protection that is needed.
Treatment depends on the severity of your melasma. Everyone's experience will be unique, and no treatment plan will be 100 percent perfect or work the same way for someone else.
Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. This can make spots or patches of skin appear darker than surrounding areas.
Some forms of hyperpigmentation, including melasma and sun spots, are more likely to affect areas of skin that face sun exposure, including the face, arms, and legs.
Brown spots, dark spots, uneven skin tone are from the overproduction of melanin in the skin by melanocytes. The extra melanin produced can be triggered by hormones, progesterone, and increased sun exposure. Age can also increase the size of melanocytes which is why age spots are common in adults older than 50.
