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