What should you know about what melasma looks like?

The patches often have uneven edges and may be light tan, deeper brown, or grey-brown depending on skin tone and pigment depth. They do not usually feel rough or form a bump. Facial distribution can include the centre of the face, cheekbones, jawline, or upper lip. Light exposure, heat, hormonal shifts, and skin irritation may make the colour more visible. Other dark patches can resemble melasma, so a clinician may use a close examination to distinguish them.

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade, hats, and reduced heat exposure help limit further stimulation. Keep cleansing and moisturising gentle, and avoid picking, aggressive exfoliation, or products that sting. If pigment persists, a dermatologist may recommend a tailored topical plan and discuss Chemical Peel, Microneedling, Skin Brightening Treatment, or Laser Toning. The safest choice depends on your skin tone, sensitivity, pregnancy status, and whether the pigment is superficial or deeper.

Book an appointment for a patch that changes rapidly, becomes scaly, crusted, sore, itchy, or bleeds, especially when it is one-sided or unlike your other marks. Get advice if pigmentation follows a new medicine or cosmetic product. A diagnosis before lightening treatment matters because irritation can make some pigment darker.

Does the distribution and colour fit melasma? Could a product, medicine, or inflammation be contributing? What daily protection should I use? Which treatment has the lowest irritation risk for my skin, and how will we judge progress?