Maybe you noticed the darker areas of skin while washing your face or applying makeup. The mysterious spots seem to have appeared out of nowhere and won’t go away.
If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing melasma, a common skin condition that often shows up on the face. Although benign, melasma can affect your confidence and how you feel about your skin.
At Florida Dermatology Specialists, we offer expert care and personalized treatment options to help reduce the appearance of melasma and restore a more even, radiant complexion.
Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that causes areas of the skin to become darker. The discoloration usually appears on parts of the face that are most frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the cheeks, chin, and nose. These patches are caused by the overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its natural color.
Melasma is most common in women and people with medium to dark skin tones. The discoloration can be ongoing, and difficult to manage without professional treatment.
Melasma develops when certain factors cause cells called melanocytes to overproduce pigment. These factors include:
Recognizing and avoiding these triggers is an important first step toward effective treatment.
Topical therapy is the cornerstone of effective melasma management. Depending on your skin type and severity of pigmentation, a comprehensive treatment strategy may include a combination of other approaches and require ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure a successful outcome.
Because melasma often recurs, protecting your skin every day is essential. To prevent future flare-ups, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen each morning and reapply every two hours. Also, when outside, wear hats and protective clothing for an extra layer of protection, especially during peak sunlight hours in the middle of the day.
By following these habits consistently and staying in close communication with your dermatologist, you can keep melasma under control. We are here to provide you with knowledgeable support and evidence-based treatment options you need for lasting improvement.
Ready to make melasma a distant memory? Book a consultation with us at the Florida Dermatology Specialists practice location nearest to you, or click here:
For details on insurance coverage, please visit our Patient Resources page.
