Melasma, a skin disorder, is commonly seen in women. It appears as irregularly-shaped dark skin rashes on the face. Some people refer to it as the “Mask of Pregnancy.” Melasma can appear in many different colors: its hues can range from dark brown to deep gray. It is commonly recognized by the symmetrical shape of the rash appearing on the forehead, nose, lips, or cheeks.

It was called “Mask of Pregnancy” because it commonly occurs in pregnant women. However, melasma can appear on the faces of non-pregnant women. Some men may also have this condition.

There is no known cause of melasma yet, but its mechanisms have been studied thoroughly. When a person has melasma, the production of cells increase, and a pigment called melanin is released. Melanin causes the skin’s coloration. The exact cause of melanin production is unclear as of now, but experts theorize many possible explanations: prolonged exposure to the sun, medications such as tetracycline, using birth control pills, drugs that combat malaria, and finally, hormones.

Melasma in itself is not a harmful skin condition. Neither is it related to a major health problem. Melasma can be diagnosed by a competent dermatologist very easily when a woman is pregnant. If the woman is not pregnant, the dermatologist rules out any pre-existing medical conditions or drug usage. Melasma is not a permanent skin disorder. It will usually fade after the baby is born. In non-pregnant women, melasma can stay for some time, probably a few months and even a few years. After some time, the skin disorder will gradually grow fainter. The duration of the skin disorder is different, depending on the person.

Experts have already developed a variety of treatments for melasma. Your dermatologist may recommend any of the following: laser rejuvenation, bleaching creams, sunscreen lotions, and chemical peels. The latter usually contain chemicals such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and trichloroacetic acid. However, chemical peels carry certain risks. It may cause skin peeling, scarring, burning, or it may add to the discoloration of the skin. Bleaching chemicals may also have adverse effects on the skin.

As of yet, there is no sure way to cure melasma. The treatments previously mentioned may be able to contribute to the gradual fading of the disorder, but less than half of the patients have experienced success. To prevent melasma or to stop it from progressing, using sunscreens is the best way to go. While this skin disorder may have no serious consequences to one’s health, some women may still be bothered by it. Treatments are also not guaranteed to produce improvements.