Melasma is a skin condition that’s triggered by sun exposure and is more common in people with light brown skin tones. 9 out of 10 people who have melasma are female, and the condition is also more common during pregnancy. Genetics also plays a role in melasma, as up to 50% of people with the condition report that close relatives also have it.

Treatment for Melasma

The best way to treat melasma is to use a hydroquinone cream and avoid exposure to the sun or estrogen. In addition to avoiding sun exposure, you should also stop using high-SPF sunscreens. Triple combinations are the most effective topical therapy for melasma, but if you’re hypersensitive to them, you can try dual ingredients or single agents.

Chemical peels and lasers may provide unpredictable results and can cause adverse effects, including epidermal necrosis, post inflammatory hyper pigmentation, and hypertrophic scars. These interventions should only be used if topical medication has failed. In experienced hands, chemical peels and lasers are usually safe and may produce results faster than topical medications.