Melasma is a common skin condition in both men and women. It causes the appearance of large, dark patches of skin over certain parts of your face. This skin discoloration, or hyperpigmentation, usually appears on the forehead, cheeks, and nose.

It is common to every ethnicity, but it is more often seen in people with darker or olive toned skin. There are two different factors that can cause melasma: hormonal fluctuations and excessive sun exposure. In pregnant women the hormonal changes they experience are key causes of hyperpigmentation.

Melasma may sound scary, but there is nothing to fear other than a few uneven patches of skin. In fact, in some people it can show up as very noticeable, dark spots. For this reason, melasma treatment is a priority for the people who have developed it.

The most common treatment options are the following:

*Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a great way of treating melasma because the intensity of the peel can be controlled to best suit your needs. The depth of the peel will depend on the chemicals the specialist uses to perform it. If you experience any discomfort, you can treat it with cooling agents or topical anesthetics.

*Laser Treatment

Laser resurfacing is another treatment in which you can apply different depths depending on your skin care needs. This procedure offers the specialist the possibility of controlling the area that is being treated. It can repair only the affected skin and not interfere with the surrounding tissue.

While undergoing treatment you will need a local anesthetic. If after having completed treatment you experience some swelling or redness, don't be alarmed, this is normal and should subdue in a couple of days.

*Microdermabrasion

If you prefer a more gentle treatment that requires no downtime, you should try microdermabrasion. It requires no anesthesia, however, you might need to undergo several sessions before seeing definite results.

*Bleaching Creams

Bleaching creams are also used to correct skin tone problems, not just melasma. These products help lighten the skin. They will probably work best over larger areas of the skin as it is difficult to apply them on a tiny spot.

All of the previously mentioned procedures and products have one goal in common and that is to get an even skin tone, however, their effects may not be long-lasting so take good care after having undergone treatment. Any type of sun exposure can cause melasma to reappear.

Therefore, you should not go out into the sun if you are not wearing a sunscreen (SPF of 30 or higher) that is reapplied frequently during the day. Another good habit to instate is the use of wide brimmed hats to keep the sun from directly hitting your face.