Did you know you are likely to have melasma if you have a family history of the disease? The condition is also common in women aged between 20 and 50. Melasma causes skin patches that may interfere with your skin appearance and confidence. Luckily, you can find help from the melasma Glen Allen specialist Patricia O’Conner MD and the dermatology team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center. This piece will help you learn more about melasma.

What is melasma?

It is a skin condition that causes dark patches on your skin, usually around the mouth and the eyes. The patches are not painful or harmful to you; however, they may have an effect on your appearance.

The effect on your melasma may lead to self-confidence issues, affecting your life quality. Melasma is common in pregnant women.

What causes melasma?

There is no precise cause for melasma. However, some risk factors may lead to its development, including the following;

  •         Increased hormone levels, especially in pregnant women or women using birth control
  •         Exposure to the sun
  •         Having a darker skin tone

Melasma occurs more commonly in women than in men. Women make up to 90% of the cases.

How do you know you have melasma?

Melasma causes skin patches that are darker compared to your skin color. The patches are likely to be found on the face, including the forehead, cheeks, chin, or at the bridge of your nose.

The skin patches are usually uniform and have matching marks on both sides of your face.

The melasma patches may also occur on your forearms, neck, or other body areas with sun exposure.

Diagnosis of melasma

You should check in with your dermatology specialists at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, if your skin has patches. Your provider performs various diagnostic tests, including taking a visual exam to determine the causes of your hyperpigmentation.

One of the tests, known as the Wood’s lamp examination, includes exposing your skin to a special light. The light helps check whether you have a fungal or bacterial infection, which may be responsible for the patches. It also shows how many skin layers the melasma is affecting.

Your dermatologist may also conduct a biopsy of the discolored part to test for other skin conditions.

Treatments for melasma

Melasma may sometimes go away without any treatment if the cause was due to hormones such as pregnancy or birth control.

However, when your melasma does not improve by itself, your provider may offer the following treatments;

  •         Chemical peels
  •         Skin lightening creams
  •         Topical steroids
  •         Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion

In most cases, your provider may suggest combining the treatments for better results. The treatments are even more efficient when you include a broad-spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen in your daily skincare routine.

The patches in your skin may mean anything, including melasma. Do not wait until it damages your confidence completely. Speak to your dermatologist when there is still time.

Contact Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center today to schedule your consultation or book your appointment online.