Pigmentation

Melasma is a chronic and relapsing condition of hyperpigmentation and it can seriously affect quality of life. Melasma appears as light brown or even dark brown patches on the skin. It is seen on areas such as the forehead, cheeks and even the upper lip and the chin.

This is a million dollar question and is a complex one to answer! The complexity of melasma is still being discovered through research that we and others around the world are doing right now. Historically, it was thought that melasma was predominantly hormonal and that women, especially those on the oral contraceptive pill, were at risk of developing it. It was even called ‘hormonal pigmentation’ or ‘mask of pregnancy’ in years gone by. The reality is that patients can get it when they have had none of these exposures and have none of these risk factors. Even men can get melasma.

There are a variety of treatments available and there is no “one size fits all approach” to melasma. A treatment plan needs to be based on a patient’s age, the location of the melasma, the depth of the pigment in the skin, the duration melasma has been around for, treatments someone may have previously and any underlying medical issues they may have. We also have to define what the expectations are for an individual patient and what results they are likely to see with various treatment options and combinations.