Melasma is also called chloasma or the mask of pregnancy.
This article discusses melasma symptoms, causes and risk factors, and potential treatment options for this skin condition.
The skin looks blotchy and uneven, with irregular borders on the discolored spots.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Appears on Sun-Exposed Skin
Melasma develops on sun-exposed areas of the skin, most often the face.
It also can develop on the chest, upper arms, and upper back, though not as frequently.
In persons with darker skin tones, melasma can appear bluish-gray in color.
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Painless
These areas of discoloration don’t hurt, burn, or itch.
Melasma on Men
Although melasma is most common in women, it can develop in some men.
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People with dark complexions have skin that produces more melanin; those with lighter complexions have less melanin.
Melanocytesare cells in your skin that create melanin.
The excess melanin produces the dark, blotchy areas we know as melasma.
With melasma, the discoloration is limited to theepidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin.
Risk Factors
There are certain risk factors that make you more susceptible to developing melasma.
The more of these factors you have, the more likely you are to develop melasma.
But, in some cases, melasma develops without any apparent risk factor.
It isn’t as common in skin types that fall on the far ends of the spectrum.
Hormones
Melasma development is linked to increasedestrogen hormones.
This explains why melasma is much more common in women than it is in men.
Men can develop it, though, especially if there is a strong family history.
Sincethyroid problemsaffect the hormones, you also have a higher chance of developing melasma if you have thyroid issues.
Pregnancy
There’s a reason why melasma is also called the “mask of pregnancy.”
Pregnant persons often develop this condition.
Increased levels of estrogen andprogesteroneduring pregnancy are thought to trigger melasma in some people.
Sun Exposure
Another huge trigger factor in melasma development is excessive sun exposure.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays stimulate the melanocytes to create more melanin.
In people with melasma, the dermis shows signs of prolonged sun exposure andsun damage.
Genetics
A person may be genetically predisposed to developing melasma.
An overwhelming number of people with melasma also have relatives with the problem.
Certain Drugs and Cosmetic Products
Certain medications may raise your risk of developing melasma.
However, none of these are considered primary risk factors.
Diagnosis
Melasma diagnosis is done by a simple visual inspection by your healthcare provider.
Very rarely, your healthcare provider may do a biopsy of the affected area to confirm it is melasma.
This is only done if there’s a question it may be another skin problem.
Other Conditions That Cause Skin Discoloration
There are manyskin conditions that cause hyperpigmentation.
Solar lentigines are round, oval, sometimes irregularly shaped, dark marks.
Like melasma, solar lentigines are flat areas of discoloration that develop over sun-exposed areas of skin.
The difference is that melasma generally covers a larger area and develops symmetrically on the face.
Solar lentigines are more common in fair complexions.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
The key difference betweenpost-inflammatory hyperpigmentationand melasma is the cause.
Freckles
Ephelides, more commonly known as freckles, can develop because of sun exposure.
In some cases, the discoloration may fade over time.
This is most likely to happen if the melasma appeared during pregnancy.
Melasma is often a chronic condition, making it difficult to treat.
Multiple factors like sun exposure, hormones, and skin key in may contribute to the problem.
Topical productscan keep discoloration in check, but if you stop using them, the discoloration resurfaces.
Be prepared to use some key in of treatment long-term.
Prescription Topical Medications
Topical prescription medications are the mainstay of melasma treatment.
Ask your doctor if it is right for you.
These are often used alongside other topical treatments.
The sun is a huge factor when it comes to melasma development.
No treatment will work well if you’re not also protecting your skin from the sun.
Sun Protection
Sun protection can’t end when your melasma treatment does.
Once you’re happy with the results, you still must be diligent in your sun protection routine.
Even a few hours of unprotected sun exposure can cause melasma to come back more severely.
Apply sunscreen of 30SPFor higher daily.
If you are going to be outdoors for longer periods of time, reapply your sunscreen often.
Wearing a hat is also a good idea.
Coping
Melasma may be a mere annoyance without really bothering you.
Or, you may be incredibly self-conscious or embarrassed by your melasma.
Here are a few tips to help you when you’re feeling discouraged or self-conscious.
It is commonly triggered by hormones (such as during pregnancy) and sun exposure.
For some people, the condition may go away on its own.
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