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Discoloration/Melasma

Discoloration/Melasma

What is melasma?

If you have discoloration or small to large blotchy brown areas on your face, then you may have melasma. The condition occurs suddenly, so it’s not something that builds up over the years (although it may get worse or spread with time) and not something that you would have likely had in your teenage or even early adult years.

It may occur in addition to sun freckles, sun spots or sun damage, or it may occur on its own. Sometimes it’s hard to separate it out from sun freckles and sun damage, but those tend to be small individual separate spots, while melasma tends to be larger blotchy areas.

If you are in the Atlanta or Alpharetta area and would like to discuss treatment options for your melasma, contact Steele Dermatology at (770) 464-6000 or schedule a consultation.

What causes melasma?

There are three causes of melasma: the sun, hormones, and genetic predisposition.

  • The Sun absolutely contributes to melasma. While sun exposure stimulates the pigment-making cells (melanocytes) to make pigment (brown spots, tan, etc.) in all people’s skin, if you have melasma, your melanocytes are extra easily stimulated. Even small amounts of daily sun exposure will excite your melanocytes to make pigment.

  • Hormones are also a huge factor. Sometimes melasma comes during pregnancy, when a woman takes birth control pills, or when a woman starts hormone replacement therapy. Some women will get it outside of these specific times in life, but overall we know that melasma is much, much more common in women. It is likely some women’s natural hormones (Estrogen) contribute to their melasma.

  • Genetics must play some role. Not every woman will get it, even during pregnancy or with hormonal pills, or with lots of sun exposure so there must be some genetic component as well.

Where do you get melasma?

Melasma occurs on the face almost exclusively and more common areas include the cheeks, forehead, and temples. While you can get sun spots and freckles on other areas of the body, it wouldn’t be melasma.

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