Melasma | Pigmentation

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What is Melasma?|Causes| Types and Symptoms| Treatment| Preventions |Clinical Care |Summery

What is Melasma?

Pigmentation/Melasma refers to the coloring or coloration of tissues, particularly in living organisms. It is the result of the presence and distribution of pigments, which are substances that absorb and reflect certain wavelengths of light, giving rise to various colors. In the context of biology and human anatomy, pigmentation often refers to the color of the skin, hair, and eyes. The pigment responsible for the coloration of human skin and hair is called melanin. Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, which are found in the skin, hair follicles, and eyes. The amount and type of melanin present in these cells determine an individual’s skin, hair, and eye color. People with higher melanin levels tend to have darker skin, hair, and eyes, while those with lower melanin levels have lighter features.

Pigmentation can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the retina of the eye, where it helps with light absorption, or in certain organs where it serves specific functions, like the dark pigmentation found in certain cells of the adrenal gland.

Aside from melanin, other pigments found in living organisms include carotenoids (responsible for the yellow, orange, and red colors in fruits and vegetables), hemoglobin (responsible for the red color of blood), and chlorophyll (responsible for the green color in plants). Each pigment serves different purposes in various biological processes. Although most pigmentation disorders are benign or nonspecific, some disorders of skin pigmentation present cosmetic or psychological challenges to the patient, necessitating evaluation and treatment. Others may be indicators of underlying systemic disease or primary skin malignancy. Proper diagnosis of these common skin conditions will allow the physician to facilitate appropriate skin treatment and reassure the patient.Pigmentation is very common on skin of color, as darker skin tones already have a higher melanin content. Burns, bruises, acne, rashes, or other trauma to the skin can cause it to produce more melanin and lead to dark spots.

Causes of Melasma/Pigmentation

The cause of hyperpigmentation depends on the type. The most common causes are:

Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by patches of dark, discolored skin, usually on the face. The exact causes of melasma are not fully understood, but several factors are believed to contribute to its development. Here are some known causes and triggers of melasma:

1. Sun Exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a major trigger for melasma. Sunlight stimulates the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. In people with melasma, excessive sun exposure can worsen the condition and lead to the development of new patches.
2. Hormonal Factors: Hormonal changes play a significant role in melasma. It is more common in women, particularly during pregnancy (chloasma or “mask of pregnancy”) due to hormonal fluctuations. The use of hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, can also trigger melasma in some women.
3. Genetic Predisposition: There appears to be a genetic component to melasma, as it often runs in families. If you have a close family member with melasma, you may be at a higher risk of developing the condition.
4. Ethnicity: Melasma is more prevalent in people with darker skin tones, such as those of Hispanic, Asian, African, or Middle Eastern descent. These individuals have more active melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), making them more susceptible to developing melasma.
5. Thyroid Disorders: Some studies suggest a link between melasma and thyroid dysfunction. Imbalances in thyroid hormones can influence pigmentation and contribute to the development of melasma in certain individuals.
6. Cosmetic Products and Irritants: Certain cosmetics, skincare products, and even some medications can trigger or exacerbate melasma. These include perfumes, hair removal creams, and drugs that make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation.

It’s important to note that melasma can be influenced by a combination of these factors, and individual responses may vary. If you have concerns about melasma or changes in your skin, it’s best to consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options. Some medications and certain health conditions can also lead to hyperpigmentation. In this article, find out about different causes of hyperpigmentation and the treatments available. We discuss these below.

Types and Symptoms

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition affecting people of all skin types. Below is a table of the most common types of hyperpigmentation and their symptoms:

Type	Symptoms	Where on the body?	Who can it affect?
age spots, also called liver spots or solar lentigines	brown, tan, or black spots that appear on the skin with sun overexposure	commonly on the face and hands or on sun-exposed areas of the body	usually older adults or those with extended sun exposure
melasma, also called chloasma or “the mask of pregnancy”	large patches of darkened skin	often on the forehead, face, and stomach	usually women, people who are pregnant or taking birth control pills, and those with medium to darker skin
post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation	spots or patches of darkened skin that appear after an inflammatory skin condition, such as acne or eczema.	anywhere on the body	people who have had inflammation or an injury to the skin

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes dark, discolored patches to appear on the skin. It primarily affects the face, but it can also occur on other sun-exposed areas like the neck and forearms.

Melasma, also known as chloasma or “the mask of pregnancy,” is a skin condition that can occur during pregnancy. It is characterized by the development of dark, discolored patches on the skin, typically on the face. Melasma is more common in women, and hormonal changes during pregnancy can trigger its onset or worsen existing melasma.

Melasma patches are usually brown or grayish-brown in color and have a distinct border. They typically appear symmetrically on both sides of the face.

Sun spots are more common in areas with frequent sun exposure, including the face, arms, and legs.

This shows inflammation-induced hyperpigmentation after a rash.

 

This shows inflammation-induced hyperpigmentation

 

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur after skin inflammation resulting from an injury, cuts, burns, acne or lupus. It can occur anywhere on the body, but sun exposure can make it more pronounced. Having extra pigment in some areas of skin is usually harmless but can sometimes indicate another medical condition.

Melasma is often harmless and may require no treatment at all. However, some people may prefer to remove it. For those who do, various treatment methods and home remedies may help.