Causes and Treatments of Melasma

Melasma patient
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Holding a bachelor of science in biology from the State University of New York at Oswego, Robert S. Baraczek is a self-employed research and development consultant in dermatology. Robert S. Baraczek has developed various cosmetic skincare products to treat dermatological conditions including melasma, acne, and rosacea, and is also experienced in transdermal penetration with the aid of liposomes and microencapsulation.

A pigmentation disorder characterized by brown or gray patches on the skin, melasma is primarily apparent on the face. Some common areas affected by melasma are the forehead, cheeks, upper lips, and the bridge of the nose. The shoulders, neck, and forearms are also areas where melasma may occur. Melasma appears mostly on skin that gets exposed to a lot of sunlight and is more common among dark-complected women.

Some causes of melasma are excessive exposure to sun, skin irritation due to the use of skincare products, birth control pills, and changes in hormone levels during pregnancy. Because it is also common among relatives, a genetic component may be associated with a predisposition to melasma, though this has not been confirmed.

Topical medications such as corticosteroids, tretinoin, hydroquinone, as well as combined creams that may contain all these medications, can be used to lighten the color of melasma patches. If topical medications fail, a dermatologist may recommend standard therapeutic procedures such as laser treatment, dermabrasion, or light therapy.