The cause of melasma may involve the stimulation of melanocytes (cells that produce pigment) by estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormones). This may cause melanocytes to produce more melanin when exposed to the sun, which may result in melasma.

Women who have light brown skin and live in an area of intense sun exposure may be at a greater risk for developing melasma. Melasma may be hereditary as well, as people may be more prone to developing the condition if there is a family history.

Other causes may exist as well, such as the presence of a thyroid disease that may cause an overproduction of melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

The only symptom of melasma may be a patch of dark, irregular discoloration of the skin. Other than a cosmetic discoloration of the skin, melasma may not cause other symptoms. Melasma may be present most on the cheeks, nose, lips and forehead.

Patches may develop gradually over time, as they may not develop suddenly. A skincare professional may visually diagnose the condition, or may use a Wood's lamp to assist in diagnosis. A Wood's lamp may help a skincare professional distinguish between excess melanin in the epidermis with that of the dermis.

Melasma may go away on its own over a period of a few months after childbirth or stopping use of contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Certain treatments may be effective in fading the effects of melasma. Facial peels, topical treatments and certain acids may be effective in speeding up the fading of melasma. Avoiding sun exposure may be recommended by a skincare professional while treating melasma.

   Collapse Article