What should you know about covering up melasma?

Melasma causes flat brown, grey-brown or tan patches, commonly on the cheeks, forehead, nose or upper lip. The colour can look more noticeable after exposure to sunlight or visible light, and heat or skin irritation may also make management harder. Concealer can disguise the contrast, but it does not change the pigment-producing process.

Choose a non-comedogenic foundation or concealer that matches the surrounding skin, and consider a tinted product whose pigment helps reduce the look of uneven tone. Remove makeup gently rather than scrubbing, because friction can leave the area more irritated.

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen each morning and reapply when outdoors. A hat, shade and sunglasses add physical protection. Test new cosmetics on a small area first, particularly if your skin reacts easily.

If camouflage is not enough, a dermatologist can assess whether prescription care or an in-clinic approach suits your skin. Options may include a chemical peel, microneedling, skin brightening treatment or laser toning, but irritation and pigment rebound are possible concerns. Treatment should be tailored to your skin tone, pregnancy status, current products and tendency to mark.

Arrange a dermatology assessment if pigmentation is spreading, changing quickly, itching, bleeding, becoming scaly or difficult to distinguish from another mark. Seek advice before using strong lightening products or procedures, especially during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or if you have a history of dark marks after irritation.

Ask which sunscreen and camouflage ingredients fit your skin, whether your pattern is consistent with melasma, how long to try a treatment before reviewing it, and which procedure-related irritation risks matter for your complexion.