What should you know about melasma and menopause?

Melasma is a pigment condition that commonly appears as brown or grey-brown patches on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. The patches are often similar on both sides of the face. Hormonal shifts during menopause may be one factor, while sunlight and visible light can deepen the colour.

A new facial patch is not automatically melasma. A clinician may examine its pattern, borders, texture, and evolution to distinguish melasma from other causes of pigmentation. Menopause can also bring hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, vaginal dryness, or changes in sexual desire, but those symptoms do not identify the cause of a skin mark.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen as directed, reapply when needed, and add shade, a hat, or other physical protection. Choose gentle, fragrance-free skincare if your skin is sensitive, and avoid picking or repeatedly rubbing the darker areas. Heat and light may worsen pigment for some people, so notice whether particular exposures trigger change.

A dermatologist can discuss options such as prescription creams, procedures, or a combined plan. Treatment needs patience and review because irritation can make pigmentation more noticeable. Do not start a strong lightening product or hormone-related treatment without checking whether it suits your skin and medical history.

Arrange a skin review for a new, one-sided, rapidly changing, bleeding, crusted, painful, or raised mark, or for pigment that does not fit a symmetrical patch pattern. Seek care sooner if a treatment causes marked burning, swelling, blistering, or a spreading rash.

Ask whether the pattern looks like melasma, whether another skin condition should be excluded, which sunscreen and products suit your skin, and how menopause medicines or other treatments could affect your plan. Ask how progress will be reviewed and what irritation should make you stop a product.