Melasma is a common skin condition that can affect both men and women. It is characterized by large, dark patches of skin over certain parts of the face. This skin discoloration, or hyperpigmentation, generally 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. Melasma is usually caused by two different factors: hormonal fluctuations and excessive sun exposure. These marks are usually seen in pregnant women due to the hormonal changes.

Melasma may sound dangerous, but it is by no means a dangerous condition. However, it can significantly alter your appearance. As a matter of fact, in some people it can show up as very noticeable, dark spots, and for this reason, melasma treatment is a priority for those who have developed it.

The most common options include:

*Chemical Peels

Because the intensity of a chemical peel can be controlled to best suit your needs, it is one of the best options for treating melasma. The depth of the peel will depend on the chemicals the specialist uses to perform it. Any discomfort that you might feel can easily be treated with topical anesthetics or cooling agents.

*Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is another type of treatment that will allow you to determine the depth or intensity of the procedure depending on your needs. This procedure offers the specialist the possibility of controlling the area that is being treated. In other words, it can treat the affected area without interfering with the surrounding tissue.

When undergoing treatment you will need a local anesthetic. Once the treatment has been completed you may experience some swelling and redness. This is normal and should pass in a couple of days.

*Microdermabrasion

If you would like a gentler treatment that requires no downtime, microdermabrasion is the ideal treatment option for you. It does not require anesthesia, but might require more than one session depending on the extent of the problem.

*Bleaching Creams

Bleaching creams are also used to correct skin tone problems and 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 previous procedures and products have one goal: to get an even skin tone. However, their effects are not permanent if you do not take care of your skin afterwards. If you are not careful and expose your skin to direct sunlight, you could cause the melasma to reappear.

Therefore, avoid going out into the sun without wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply frequently during the day. Also, wear wide brimmed hats to keep the sun from directly hitting your face.