What Is Skin Melasma?

Melasma, also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy, is a common skin disorder characterized by darkening of the skin.

Symptoms

• According to Medline Plus, melasma only leads to the characteristic brown skin discoloration in sun-exposed areas like the face.

Population

• Melasma is found mostly in women who take birth control, take hormone replacement therapies and receive frequent sun exposure, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

Treatment

• Topical creams, steroids, chemical peels and laser treatments are a few treatments for melasma.

Precautions

• To decrease the risk of developing melasma, wear sunblock. Note, that melasma can fade on its own, according to Medline Plus.

Features

• Melasma results from an increase in skin pigmentation. The pigment can be located in the epidermis (top layer of the skin) or dermis (middle layer of the skin). Treatment depends on what layer the pigment lies.