What is Melasma?
Melasma is a condition that occurs most commonly in
women that are pregnant or using oral contraceptives. It refers to mottled
pigmentation seen most often on the face and neck. It is a form of hyperpigmentation
that is worsened by exposure to the sun. Infrequently it occurs in men.
Click for Melasma Before and After Pictures
Causes of Melasma
Melasma is commonly thought to occur in conjunction with hormonal changes. It
is seen most commonly in pregnant women, or women using oral contraceptives.
It’s shown to be related to endocrine dysfunction, genetic factors,
medications, certain nutritional deficiencies, hepatic dysfunction, and other
factors. The infrequency of Melasma in postmenopausal women on estrogen
replacement suggests that estrogen alone is not the cause. Sun exposure appears
to be a stimulating factor in predisposed individuals. It is not proven to be
hereditary.
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Prevention
The simplest way to protect against the further development of Melasma is to
discontinue the use of oral contraceptives and stay out of the sun. If you must
be exposed to the sun, make sure to use sunscreen with an SPF factor of at
least 15. Use only sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays.
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