What is melasma?
Melasma is a pigmentation disorder. Pigment cells in the skin make too much melanin, which shows as flat, symmetrical patches. The patches are not harmful or contagious, but they can be stubborn and often affect confidence.
It is sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy" because it often starts during pregnancy. It can also appear without any obvious reason, and it tends to darken in summer and fade a little in winter.
What causes melasma?
There is rarely a single cause. The most common triggers are:
- Sun exposure: ultraviolet rays, visible light and heat all stimulate pigment.
- Hormones: pregnancy, birth-control pills and hormone treatment.
- Genetics: it often runs in families.
- Irritating skin products, including unprescribed bleaching or "fairness" creams.
How is melasma diagnosed?
Dr. Wahida examines your skin, often with a dermatoscope or a Wood's lamp, to see how deep the pigment sits. This matters because several conditions look similar, such as dark marks after acne, freckles and other pigment disorders, and each needs a different treatment.
How we treat melasma at Skinology
Treatment is planned in steps and adjusted as your skin responds:
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapplied, is the foundation of every plan.
- Prescription creams that reduce pigment, chosen for your skin.
- Chemical peels in a gentle strength, repeated over several sessions.
- Microneedling for melasma for stubborn patches.
- Tablets in selected cases, only when Dr. Wahida decides they are suitable.
What results to expect
Most patients notice lighter patches after 8 to 12 weeks. Melasma can return with strong sun or hormonal changes, so a simple maintenance routine is part of the plan. Lasers are used carefully, or not at all, because in darker skin the wrong laser can make melasma worse.
What to avoid
Avoid steroid-containing or unprescribed whitening creams. They can lighten skin briefly but often cause thinning, redness and darker pigment later. Avoid scrubbing, harsh home remedies and long hours in direct sun without protection.