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Technically, melasma is a form of hyperpigmentation. It’s a common, harmless skin condition in which your body begins overproducing cells that make up the pigmentation of your skin.

This results in dark skin spots (dark brown or blue-gray), flat patches, and/or spots that look like freckles.

In some cases, you may hear your practitioner refer to the ‘mask pregnancy’ which means melasma. This is because melasma commonly occurs in pregnant women, although men can get melasma as well. You may also hear melasma called ‘chloasma’ by some practitioners.

It’s hard to say if melasma will go away or fade on its own after a few months, because sometimes it won’t. It’s also known to lighten/darken as seasons change (worse in summer, better in winter).

Some people may have melasma for years or permanently, while others may only have it for a short time, such as while pregnant.

The most observable sign or symptom of melasma are the visible changes to your skin (i.e., brown and/or bluish patches or freckle-like spots). Sometimes, these areas of skin affected by melasma may become red or inflamed as well.

There are 6 specific locations on your body that melasma symptoms commonly appear. It may appear in a single location, or in a combination of multiple locations, depending on the individual. These areas include:

There are two distinct main causes of melasma: radiation (i.e., UV, infrared light, etc.) and hormonal fluctuations.

There are a number of different specific triggers that have been shown to increase the chances of causing melasma, such as:

There are treatment options available for melasma symptoms, but you’ll only know which type of treatment makes sense for your unique needs once you talk with your practitioner, and they can assess your health. After your assigned practitioner has a chance to talk with you, they can determine the most effective treatment plan for you.

At Felix, we offer various melasma treatment options for our patients, depending on their lifestyle and needs. These melasma treatments may include topical medications or recommendations for a skincare regimen. Your healthcare practitioner will be able to advise what options are best suited for you.