Natalia Becker Melasma: What to Know

Melasma is a pigment condition that often appears symmetrically on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or nose. Heat, visible light, ultraviolet exposure, and hormonal changes can make patches more noticeable. It is usually harmless, but other causes of dark patches can look similar. A clinician can examine the pattern and ask about pregnancy, hormonal medicines, skin products, and previous inflammation. Melasma may improve and then return, so maintenance matters.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day and consider a tinted product containing iron oxides when visible light worsens pigmentation. Seek shade and use a hat outdoors. Choose fragrance-free, gentle products and stop anything that stings or causes peeling. A clinician may suggest prescription pigment treatment or procedures such as chemical peel, microneedling, skin brightening treatment, or laser toning. These should be selected carefully because irritation can deepen pigmentation, particularly in darker skin tones.

Book an assessment if a patch is new, one-sided, rapidly changing, itchy, painful, bleeding, crusted, or raised. Seek urgent help for facial swelling with breathing difficulty. If pigmentation worsens after a product or procedure, stop the irritant and contact the treating clinician for advice rather than adding more active products.

Does the pattern fit melasma or another pigment condition? Could my medicines, pregnancy, or skin irritation be contributing? Which sunscreen and active treatment suit my skin tone? What is the risk of temporary darkening with a peel, microneedling, or laser? How will maintenance be planned?