Melasma

Melasma is a common pigmentation disorder of skin that causes brown colour patches to appear, typically on the face, that are darker than a person’s skin tone. Melasma is so common during pregnancy that it’s sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy.”

Melasma can be found primarily in individuals with light brown skin to darker skin tones, especially in areas with high sun exposure. Women are  particularly susceptible to melasma, and its mostly seen on the face, especially the cheeks, chin, nose bridge, and forehead.

Causes of melasma:

• Genetics
• Sun exposure
• Hormonal imbalances with the use oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, implants, and hormone replacement
  therapy;
• Pregnancy
• Comorbidities like thyroid disorder, etc
• Menopause
• Medications and scented products

Treatment for melasma

1. Year-round, life-long sun protection -Apply a broadspectrum high protection SPF 50 sunscreen every 3-4 hrs a day.
2. Topical treatments containing skin lightening agents
3. Oral medicines including antioxidants, tranexamic acid,etc
4. Chemical peels
5. Lasers
6. Microneedling or dermarolllers.