Which specialist treats melasma?

Melasma causes flat brown or grey-brown patches, commonly on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, or jaw. A dermatologist looks at the pattern and may use a specialised light to assess pigment depth. The review also covers sun and visible-light exposure, pregnancy or hormonal medicines, irritating products, and conditions that can resemble melasma. Sun-damaged skin and other pigment disorders may need different care.

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade, hats, and gentle products help limit triggers. Depending on your skin and medical history, a dermatologist may prescribe hydroquinone treatment or consider tranexamic acid for melasma. Microneedling, laser toning, picosecond laser treatment, or another skin brightening treatment may be considered when topical care is insufficient. Procedures need careful selection because irritation can deepen pigmentation, especially in darker skin tones.

See a dermatologist when facial patches are new, spreading, one-sided, itchy, scaly, raised, or bleeding, since those features are less typical of uncomplicated melasma. Arrange review if pigmentation changes after a medicine, pregnancy, or cosmetic procedure. Prompt evaluation helps separate melasma from conditions that need a different diagnosis or treatment.

Ask whether the pattern fits melasma, which products may irritate your skin, and how pregnancy, breastfeeding, or hormonal contraception affects treatment choices. Before a procedure, ask about pigment-change risk, preparation, aftercare, and what will happen if the patches recur.