Read on to learn more about melasma on dark skin, how doctors diagnose it, how to prevent it, and more. In general, melasma causes patches of dark skin on high points of the face. Melasma on dark skin appears as dark brown or grey-brown patches.
These patches often appear in a symmetric pattern on both sides of the face. These patches can also appear on other parts of the body that a person exposes to the sun, such as the:. Learn more about what causes discoloration on black skin here. The patches usually have irregular borders. Some patches form flat solid patches of discoloration, while others have a freckly or blotchy appearance.
Melasma occurs when melanocytes produce too much pigmentation in the skin, resulting in dark patches. People with black or brown skin have more melanocytes. This means that they are more likely to develop melasma than people with lighter complexions. This condition usually develops in adults in their 20s or 30s. However, some forms of melasma do not appear until a person reaches their 40s.
Melasma occurs more often on female skin than on males. Learn about other skin conditions that occur during pregnancy here. Melasma due to hormonal changes will fade once hormone levels return to normal.
This can happen after pregnancy ends or once a person stops taking hormonal birth control. Learn more about menopause in our dedicated hub here. Melasma causes distinctive skin changes that most doctors or dermatologists can identify easily.
Melasma can resemble other hyperpigmentation conditions. A doctor may order a skin biopsy to rule out other diagnoses, such as melanoma or dermatitis. Melasma does not typically require treatment. However, some people may seek treatment for aesthetic reasons. While various topical agents and cosmetic procedures can help fade melasma patches, not all treatments work for everyone. Treatment might not completely clear melasma patches, and melasma can return even after successful treatment.
Since sun exposure can contribute to melasma, people must wear sunscreen to protect their skin and prevent melasma flares. Learn more about sunburn on dark skin here. Topical creams and gels are the first-line treatment options for melasma.
Hydroquinone is an over-the-counter OTC topical medication that lightens the skin. If you notice these symptoms of melasma, see your healthcare professional. They might refer you to a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating skin disorders. Darker-skinned individuals are more at risk than those with fair skin. Estrogen and progesterone sensitivity are also associated with the condition. This means birth control pills , pregnancy, and hormone therapy can all trigger melasma.
Stress and thyroid disease are also thought to be causes of melasma. Additionally, sun exposure can cause melasma because ultraviolet rays affect the cells that control pigment melanocytes. A visual exam of the affected area is often enough to diagnose melasma. To rule out specific causes, your healthcare professional might also perform some tests.
It allows your healthcare professional to check for bacterial and fungal infections and determine how many layers of skin the melasma affects. To check for any serious skin conditions, they might also perform a biopsy. This involves removing a small piece of the affected skin for testing. For some women, melasma disappears on its own. There are creams your healthcare professional can prescribe that can lighten the skin. They might also prescribe topical steroids to help lighten the affected areas.
These treatments strip away the top layers of skin and may help lighten dark patches. You might have to return for follow-up visits and stick to certain skin treatment practices to reduce the risk of the melasma returning. These include minimizing your sun exposure and wearing sunscreen daily. These include:. Similarly, if a person feels self-conscious about skin discoloration, they should talk with a dermatologist. They can suggest treatment options to reduce hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation.
A person can find a dermatologist directly or seek a referral from their doctor. With acne, wounds, and sunburn , some strategies can help prevent discoloration. These include:. While most skin discoloration is nothing to worry about, in some cases it could be a symptom of skin cancer. According to the AAD , people of color often receive skin cancer diagnoses when their cancer is at a later stage. Because of this, it is crucial that people of color do regular skin checks.
Addressing the underlying cause of the discoloration may help reduce any future instances of hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. However, in some cases, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation can be permanent, especially if it is present at birth.
If a person has concerns about discoloration on their skin, they should speak with a dermatologist. In many cases, medical treatments may produce better results than at-home remedies. A person can contact a dermatologist directly or receive a referral from their doctor. Skin discoloration is often harmless and not usually cause for concern. However, a person should speak with their doctor if they notice sudden changes in skin color, or the discoloration is spreading or getting worse.
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