Melasma, a common skin condition, is marked by the appearance of brown or grayish patches that are commonly found on the cheeks and forehead. These patches can also appear on the upper lip and chin, as well as other areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun. Some people refer to melasma as “the mask of pregnancy” because it most commonly occurs in pregnant women, but it can also occur in men and non-pregnant women.
If you have melasma, you may be wondering what causes this skin condition and how you can treat it. Below, we will explain what melasma is, as well as how you can treat it with a variety of home remedies and medical treatments.
What Causes Melasma?
Also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy, melasma is a chronic skin condition that causes dark patches to appear on your skin. It typically occurs on areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as your face and neck.
Melasma has several causes:
Hormones: Women’s bodies produce hormones called estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, which may cause an increase in melanin production. Frequently taking birth control pills may also cause an increase in
Melasma is a condition that is characterized by dark patches appearing on the skin. It is a common issue that many people struggle with. The most common areas where it appears are the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin, and above the upper lip. While this may sound like hyperpigmentation, they are actually two different conditions. Hyperpigmentation is usually caused by damage to the skin (such as excessive sun exposure), while melasma is usually triggered by hormonal changes within the body. Melasma can appear in both men and women but it is most common in women. It can affect anyone but it usually affects women who have darker skin tones (asian, latinas and indian).
Causes of Melasma :
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a hyperpigmentation condition of the skin. It can affect anyone, but it is most common in women who are pregnant or taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Some people are also genetically predisposed to it.
Melasma is characterized by brown patches that appear on the forehead and cheeks, and sometimes on the upper lip and chin. People who have melasma often develop a symmetrical butterfly-shaped mask across their faces.
The Causes of Melasma
The exact cause of melasma remains unknown. However, research shows that hormonal changes, sun exposure, and certain cosmetics can trigger melasma.
Hormonal changes: Pregnancy is one of the biggest triggers of melasma. This is because many women experience an increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy, which stimulates melanin production. Melanin protects your skin from harmful UV rays. People who take oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy also experience increases in estrogen levels, which may lead to melasma.
Sun exposure: The sun’s rays contain UVA and UVB rays, which penetrate your skin’s surface and damage cells in the deeper layers of your skin (the dermis). These damaged cells result in the development of dark spots on the surface layer of your
Melasma is a common skin problem that causes brown to gray-brown patches on the face. Most people get it on their cheeks, bridge of their nose, forehead, chin, and above their upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.
Melasma often develops slowly over time. The condition is more common in women than in men. It affects people of all races and ages, but is especially common in adult women with darker skin tones. About 6 million people in the United States have melasma.
The cause of melasma is not completely understood. Many people who develop it are exposed to sunlight. Also, hormonal changes seem to play a role because the condition is more common in women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
Treating melasma can be difficult because it often comes back even after treatment stops. You may want to talk with your doctor about starting treatment if you are bothered by the appearance of melasma patches on your skin. In some cases, using sunscreen every day may help prevent melasma from coming back after treatment ends.
Melasma is a skin condition that causes brown to grey-brown patches, usually on the face. People of all skin types can get it, but it’s most common in women with darker complexions.
Melasma is found most often on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin, and above the upper lip. It also can appear on other parts of the body that get lots of sun, such as the forearms and neck.
Though melasma isn’t harmful to your health, many people want treatment to help improve its appearance. Melasma fades after pregnancy for many women. But for others, it may be long lasting.
What is Melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition that is caused by changes in the body’s hormones. It causes brown patches to appear on the skin. According to the United States National Institutes of Health, it is estimated that six million women in the United States are affected by melasma.
What Causes Melasma?
There are a few different things that can cause melasma, but doctors and researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes it. What they do know, though, is that melasma is related to hormone changes and can be triggered by a number of things:
Pregnancy: Hormone changes during pregnancy can trigger melasma. This is also known as “mask of pregnancy” or chloasma.
Birth control pills: The hormones found in birth control pills can trigger melasma in some women.
Sun exposure: When exposed to UV rays from the sun, melasma becomes worse and spreads more rapidly.
Other hormones: Menopause, hormone therapy treatments, and other hormone-related factors can cause melasma.
Melasma is a stubborn skin condition that usually occurs in women during their reproductive years. It causes dark patches of skin, usually on the face. Melasma can be triggered by sun exposure, hormones and other factors.
Melasma is thought to be caused by hormone changes due to pregnancy or oral contraceptives (birth control pills). These hormone changes cause an increase in melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color.
Treatment for melasma may include:
Sunscreen and sun protection. Sun exposure makes melasma worse, so it’s important to apply sunscreen every day. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. For additional protection from the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outside.
Prescription creams and lotions. This may include creams that contain hydroquinone, corticosteroids or retinoids. A dermatologist can discuss the options with you and recommend a treatment plan based on your specific situation.|
Chemical peels or laser treatment