What should you know about hand melasma?

Melasma is usually discussed on the face, but pigment changes on the hands can have other causes, including sun exposure, irritation, medicines, or post-inflammatory colour change. A clinician considers the pattern, symmetry, surface texture, timing, and any preceding rash or injury before calling it melasma. Dark patches may become more noticeable after ultraviolet or visible-light exposure.

The skin is not necessarily damaged or infected simply because it looks darker. Rubbing, harsh scrubs, and unplanned bleaching can irritate the area and deepen uneven tone.

Use broad-spectrum sun protection on the backs of the hands, reapply when outdoors, and consider gloves or shade. Choose gentle cleansers and moisturiser, and stop products that sting. A dermatologist may discuss Skin Brightening Treatment, Chemical Peel, Microneedling, or Laser Toning after considering your skin tone, sensitivity, cause, and risk of post-treatment pigmentation.

Have a new, one-sided, rapidly changing, bleeding, crusted, or itchy patch examined rather than assuming it is melasma. Seek review when pigmentation follows a new medicine, rash, or chemical exposure, or when it continues despite avoiding irritation and sun.

Ask whether the appearance fits Melasma, what may be triggering it, which sunscreen and products suit your skin, and how treatment could affect pigmentation afterward.