What is Melasma?
Melasma is one of the most common and challenging inflammatory conditions of the face. Typically occurring in women, and uncommonly seen in the men, melasma is characterized by brown patches of the face – typically the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. However, melasma is an inflammatory condition that is fed by overgrown blood vessels as well, so people living with this condition might also notice redness of the face. Although melasma typically does not have symptoms, it is notorious for worsening with sunlight or with hormonal disruptions. Many women find that melasma will flare with oral contraceptives, a pregnancy, or with sunlight exposure.
What Treatments Are Available?
The treatment of melasma critically relies on sun protection – which includes sunscreen and other over-the-counter topical products, sun protective clothing, and minimizing sun exposure. Dr. Rieder will recommend a customized combination protocol to his patients that will always involve over-the-counter topical preparations – both prescription and non-prescription, and may involve prescription oral medications as well as in office procedures such as chemical peels and lasers. This is a long term condition that can wax and wane, thus adherence to a treatment regimen with intermittent procedures to treat flares is often the best option. Explore Pigmentation & Discoloration for more.
