Melasma Treatment

Is your skin’s beauty hidden behind a mask of melasma? While best known as the “mask of pregnancy”, melasma literally means dark skin. You don’t have to be pregnant (or even a woman) to develop melasma. Melasma is a darkening of the facial skin, commonly effecting the upper lip, forehead, bridge of the nose, cheeks and jaw bone, and side of the neck. Over achieving melanocytes are to blame. These pigment producing cells become stimulated and produce extra, unwanted melanin (brown color), resulting in patchy discoloration.

Triggers include estrogen supplements, birth control pills, pregnancy, photo-toxic reaction (deodorant perfume, soaps, toiletries, cosmetics), and sun exposure.

The single most important first step is to avoid sun exposure at all costs! This means both UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection.