Melasma

Also known as: Mask of pregnancy, Brown spots. Melasma


Causes: Genetic predisposition, Pregnancy, Birth control pills, Hormone pills, Progesterone, Hormone replacement therapy.

Condition overview:
Melasma is light to dark brown, irregular, patchy pigmentation of the face. It is slow to develop and most commonly affects women with darker skin types. There are different types of melasma:

• Superficial (epidermal)
• Deeper type (dermal)
• Combination of both types 

At Pima Dermatology, we check your face with a special light in an attempt to ascertain the depth and degree of your melasma.  This will help us to choose the right treatment for you.

Treatments:

• Bleaching Agents – With active ingredients in the primary bleaching agents that include: Hydroquinone (Obagi Clear or Blender, Eldoquine, and Epiquin), Kojic Acid, and Azelaic Acid (Azelex, or Finevin)
• Retinoids– Retin-A, Renova, Differin, Tazorac
• Glycolic acids in the form of cleansers, lotions, and creams
• Chemical peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser Treatments