Melasma
Skin Conditions
Melasma is a skin condition presenting as brown patches on the face of adults. The most common sites of involvement are the cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead, and upper lip. Melasma occurs mostly in women. Only 10% of those affected are men. Dark-skinned races, particularly Hispanics, Asians, Indians, people from the Middle East, and Northern Africa, tend to have melasma more than others.
Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis of sun-exposed areas. Melasma presents as symmetric hyperpigmented macules, which can be confluent or punctate. The cheeks, the upper lip, the chin, and the forehead are the most common locations, but melasma can occasionally occur in other sun-exposed locations.
Treatment
Melasma can be difficult to treat. The pigment of melasma develops gradually, and resolution is also gradual. Resistant cases or recurrences of melasma occur often and are certain if strict avoidance of sunlight is not rigidly heeded. All wavelengths of sunlight, including the visible spectrum, are capable of inducing melasma. The best treatment remains a topical hydroquinine cream, sun avoidance, and no estrogen exposure. Boosters are only of limited benefit. A chemical peel or laser treatment may help in about one third of the cases, one third of cases remain the same, and another one third of cases show hyperpigmentation
Our VI Peel is also a great treatment for melasma.
