| Melasma or chloasma is a discoloration of the facial | | | | condition. |
| skin, often affecting women during pregnancy. | | | | Repeated superficial chemical peels (glycolic acid or |
| Melasma is a dark skin discoloration found on | | | | Jessner solution) may be helpful. Creams containing |
| sun-exposed areas of the face. | | | | tretinoin, kojic acid, and azelaic acid have been shown |
| Chloasma is a synonymous term sometimes used to | | | | to improve the appearance of melasma. Laser |
| describe the occurrence of melasma during | | | | resurfacing is sometimes worthwhile but should be |
| pregnancy. Chloasma usually affects women but | | | | performed cautiously as it can aggravate pigmentation. |
| occasionally is seen in young men who use | | | | Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen are key to |
| after-shave lotions, scented soaps, and other toiletries. | | | | preventing melasma. Chemical peels, |
| Chloasma is especially common in women aged | | | | microdermabrasion, and even some lasers can be |
| 20-40. It affects the forehead, cheeks and upper lips. It | | | | effective treatments. Exposure to the ultraviolet light |
| occurs frequently during pregnancy and is more | | | | (sunlight and tanning booths) must be minimized. |
| common in dark skins than in fair skins. Chloasma | | | | Sunscreens or sunblocks must be used. Azelaic acid |
| usually affects women but occasionally is seen in | | | | (20%), thought to decrease the activity of |
| young men who use after-shave lotions, scented | | | | melanocytes. Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or |
| soaps, and other toiletries. Melasma is much more | | | | chemical peels with glycolic acid. Cosmetic cover-ups |
| common in women than in men. Women are affected | | | | can also be used to reduce the appearance of |
| in 90% of cases. When men are affected, the clinical | | | | melasma. Successful treatment usually begins with the |
| and histologic picture is identical. Melasma is rare | | | | trio of sunblocks, bleaching creams and time. Minimizing |
| before puberty and most commonly occurs in women | | | | sun exposure can prevent darkening of existing dark |
| during their reproductive years. Melasma is often | | | | patches, as well as the appearance of new areas. |
| associated with the female hormones estrogen and | | | | Melasma Treatment Tips |
| progesterone. | | | | 1. Topical depigmenting agents, such as hydroquinone |
| Melasma is a darkening of the facial skin, commonly | | | | (HQ) either in over-the-counter (2%) or prescription |
| affecting the apples of the cheeks, the mid forehead, | | | | (4%) strength. |
| jawline and areas around the mouth. Melasma | | | | 2. Tretinoin, an acid that increases skin cell |
| Suprarenale is a symptom of Addison's disease, | | | | (keratinocyte) turnover. |
| particularly when caused by pressure or minor injury to | | | | 3. Azelaic acid (20%), thought to decrease the activity |
| the skin. Melasma doesn't cause any other symptoms | | | | of melanocytes. |
| besides skin discoloration but may be of great | | | | 4. Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical |
| cosmetic concern. Sun exposure is also a strong risk | | | | peels with glycolic acid. |
| factor for melasma. It is particularly common in tropical | | | | 5. Laser resurfacing is sometimes worthwhile but |
| climates. Melasma appears on the skin's surface as | | | | should be performed cautiously as it can aggravate |
| dark or irregular patches. Melasma is not associated | | | | pigmentation. |
| with any internal diseases or organ malfunction. | | | | 6. Cosmetic cover-ups can also be used to reduce the |
| Genetic predisposition is also a major factor in | | | | appearance of melasma. |
| determining whether someone will develop melasma. | | | | 7. Azelaic acid inhibits formation of pigment and is also |
| Bleaching creams contain hydroquinone, which inhibits | | | | effective against acne. |
| formation of new pigment. Bleaching creams take 3 to | | | | 8. Daily sunscreen use not only helps prevent melasma |
| 6 months to obtain a worthwhile lightening of | | | | but is crucial in the prevention of skin cancer and |
| pigmentation. Allergic reactions to medication or | | | | wrinkles. |
| cosmetics, and in some cases stress, can produce the | | | | |