Melasma
in Mechanicsville, VA
If your face has patches of tan or darker skin that aren’t consistent with your normal skin color, it could be melasma. Most common in women, it is sometimes referred to as the “mask of pregnancy,” although women who are not pregnant can have melasma too.
What is melasma?
Melasma typically appears as dark sections of skin that are irregularly shaped, and are almost always on the face, though they can sometimes show up on the neck or forearms. They can range in color from tan or brown to gray-brown.
Melasma usually appears gradually and is the result of a sensitivity to hormonal changes. It stems from the increased production of melanocytes when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, triggered by the hormones progesterone and estrogen.
Melasma has no symptoms beyond skin discoloration. Although some people may be self-conscious about melasma’s effects on their appearance, the condition is not dangerous and has no long-term physiological effects.
BOOK NOWWho gets melasma?
Almost all melasma patients are women, particularly women who:
- Are pregnant
- Are pre-menopausal
- Take oral contraceptives
- Have patch contraceptives
- Use hormone replacement therapy drugs
- Have a naturally darker skin color and live in sunny areas
- Have a family history of melasma
- Are allergic to certain medications or cosmetics
- Have thyroid disease
How does a skincare specialist treat Melasma?
Melasma usually subsides on its own after a few months, though some women can suffer from the condition for years due to things like long-term contraceptive use.
Dermatologists can treat melasma with topical depigmenting agents or other medications. There are also cosmetic procedures such as laser treatments and peels that are effective at erasing unwanted pigmentation.
Contact Forefront to find a treatment that is right for you and your skin.
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