A common skin condition of adults in which light to dark brown or greyish pigmentation develops.
A condition of hyperpigmentation, typically symmetrical (both sides of body) and often on the face.
People with darker skin are generally more likely to have it.
The condition is benign (non- cancerous) and may resolve on its own but may be concerning to some patients due to its appearance.
There are three types:
Centrofacial – involves the cheeks, chin, forehead, nose, and upper lip.
Malar – involves only the cheeks and nose.
Mandibular affects the ramus of the mandible (the part of lower jaw below the ear).
Diagnosis Tests
Excess melanin in patients with melasma can be visually localized to the epidermis or the dermis using a Wood lamp with a wavelength of 340-400 nm.
Cause
Exposure to sunlight (persons with light-brown skin types from regions of the world with intense sun exposure are much more prone to develop melasma and patients with darker Fitzpatrick skin types (FSTs) IV-VI are more likely to experience melasma than are those with fairer FST types II and III)
Air pollution (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and airborne particulate matter are believed to enter the skin through nanoparticles to produce reactive oxygen species that cause skin hyperpigmentation)
Many cosmetics can trigger this condition (treatment should be considered by a skin specialist).
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Melasma (Chloasma) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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