Melasma is the result of an increase in pigmentation in various areas of the body, occurring mostly on the face, the back of the hands, forearms and shoulders. More women than men suffer occasional patches, and it is often prevalent in those of Native American and German or Russian descent. These dark, irregular patches appear on the upper cheeks, nose, lips, and between the nose and lips, as well as the forehead of many people after they hit that 40-year old mark, and may take months, or even years, to develop.

Normal pigmentation of the skin develops in response to exposure to UV radiation or sunlight. When abnormal and irregular patches develop on the skin, they are called melasma. And while melasma literally means dark skin (in Greek), and it is best known as the "mask of pregnancy" for it is more frequent among pregnant women, you don't have to be pregnant (or even a woman!) to develop melasma. And if you think you're silently suffering alone, think again.

Melasma generally appears during Summer as a result of a higher sun exposure. It also can get greater if, during sun exposure, we use scented toiletries, deodorant soaps, or cosmetics. This is called a phototoxic reaction and is due to ultraviolet radiation being absorbed by the chemical substance (perfume, cologne and other types of fragrance) on the skin. This pigmentation often extends down to the sun-exposed areas of the neck.

Sometimes a mild chemical peel of the skin can help melasma.  The peels which might be worth considering are the mild trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel or glycolic acid (as 50-70% glycolic acid).  These chemical peels should only be done by someone who is qualified and experienced in the use of them, as there can sometimes be adverse reactions. Laser treatment is not usually advisable for melasma.

Dark Spots. The melanin in the skin absorbs the sun's UV rays in order to screen the skin from excessive radiation exposure. Covering yourself with effective SPF factors found in sunscreens can help halt the rays from infiltrating the skin. All effective melasma treatments use sunscreens since even after the spots are erased, sufferers need to apply protection in order to prevent re-occurrence.

Ultraviolet light treatment can sometimes stimulate the skin pigment to be made in the skin again.  However, it can sometimes burn the pale skin and if it does not work, the surrounding skin tans a darker colour and the pale skin stays pale so it can make the areas of vitiligo look more obvious.  The new excimer laser treatment (which is not available on the NHS) can give ultraviolet light treatment which is better targeted to the pale skin only.

Melasma Prevention This seems like a quick and harmless procedure but the truth is that these ingredients do a lot in interior damage. When someone goes to the seashore or plays golf after applying the skin bleaching elements, the UV rays emitted by the sun will respond with the substances and lead to increased pigmentation changes and the premature onset of fine lines. With the increased pigmentation changes, people become a little tense and apply more cream, it becomes a never ending cycle.