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