Diseases
melasma
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. It’s often called the “mask of pregnancy.” Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. Melasma usually fades after a few months.
Symptoms
- Brachial: The melasma appears on your shoulders and upper arms.
- Centrofacial: The melasma appears on your forehead, cheeks, nose and upper lip.
- Lateral cheek pattern: The melasma appears on both cheeks.
- Neck: In people age 50 or older, melasma can appear on all sides of the neck.
Causes
- Antiseizure medications: Drugs that prevent you from having seizures may be a cause of melasma. An example of an antiseizure medication is Clobazam
- Contraceptive therapy (birth control): Melasma has been observed in individuals who use oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone.
- Estrogen/Diethylstilbestrol: Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic (man-made) form of the hormone estrogen. It’s often used in treatments for prostate cancer. Again, there’s a pattern between increased estrogen and melasma.
- LED Screens: Melasma may be caused by the LED lights from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet.
Risk factors
- Genetics: About 33% to 50% of people with melasma have reported that someone else in the family has it. The majority of identical twins both have melasma.
- Hypothyroidism: A condition where your thyroid is underactive.
- Pregnancy: It is unclear why “the mask of pregnancy” happens to pregnant women. However, experts theorize that the increased levels of estrogen, progesterone
- Makeup (cosmetics): Some cosmetics can cause what’s called a phototoxic reaction.
Diagnosis
- Physical Exam.
- Medical History
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots. It’s often called the “mask of pregnancy.” Melasma happens because of overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin. It is common, harmless and some treatments may help. Melasma usually fades after a few months.
What are the symptoms of melasma?
Brachial: The melasma appears on your shoulders and upper arms., Centrofacial: The melasma appears on your forehead, cheeks, nose and upper lip., Lateral cheek pattern: The melasma appears on both cheeks., Neck: In people age 50 or older, melasma can appear on all sides of the neck.
What causes melasma?
Antiseizure medications: Drugs that prevent you from having seizures may be a cause of melasma. An example of an antiseizure medication is Clobazam; Contraceptive therapy (birth control): Melasma has been observed in individuals who use oral contraceptive pills that contain estrogen and progesterone.; Estrogen/Diethylstilbestrol: Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic (man-made) form of the hormone estrogen. It’s often used in treatments for prostate cancer. Again, there’s a pattern between increased estrogen and melasma.; LED Screens: Melasma may be caused by the LED lights from your television, laptop, cell phone and tablet.
Which medicines are used for melasma?
azelaic acid, methimazole, tranexamic acid, tretinoin
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