What should you know about minimalist for melasma?

Melasma causes flat brown, grey-brown, or darker patches, often on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Light exposure can stimulate pigment and make patches more noticeable; heat, hormonal changes, and skin irritation may also contribute. It is not contagious. Other causes of dark patches can resemble melasma, so a clinician may examine the pattern and ask about medicines, pregnancy, contraception, and skin products before confirming the diagnosis.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen and physical light protection such as a hat, sunglasses, or shade, and reapply as directed for your product and activities. Cleanse gently, moisturise, and stop products that sting or cause peeling. A clinician may recommend a prescription or a procedure such as a chemical peel, microneedling, skin brightening treatment, or laser toning, but treatment should be selected for your skin type and pigment pattern. More aggressive treatment is not automatically better; irritation can worsen colour.

Seek assessment for a new or rapidly changing patch, bleeding, crusting, pain, a raised area, or pigment that differs clearly from the surrounding pattern. Arrange review if treatment causes blistering, severe burning, swelling, or worsening darkening. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy, ask which products and procedures are suitable before starting them.

Ask whether the pattern fits melasma, which triggers may be relevant, what daily protection is realistic, which treatment is safest for your skin tone, and how progress will be reviewed.