Melasma is a common skin condition where patches of skin on the face turn brown.
The most commonly affected areas are the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead and upper lip.
Melasma mostly affects women. Causes include exposure to ultraviolet light and hormonal changes resulting from pregnancy or birth control.
Treatments for melasma include:
- UVA/UVB Sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher
- Avoidance of Any Irritating Cleansers, Creams or Makeup Products
- Discontinuation of Birth Control
- Bleaching Creams including Hydroquinone
- Glycolic Acid Peels
Treatment by a dermatologist often improves the appearance of melasma and prevents future recurrence.
Brown spots on the skin are a common sign of aging. It has nothing to do with the liver, as its other nickname (liver spot) would suggest. And really it has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with sun exposure.
More sun … more brown spots. The technical term is solar lentigo. These dark spots of pigmentation can be found on areas of your body that get the most sun over time: your face, hands and sometimes your back.
There are cancerous melanomas that to the untrained eye can appear to be age spots. A board certified dermatologist, like Dr. Golomb, can determine whether your spots are harmless or are something more.
Already have age spots? It is never too late to prevent more with sunscreen, protective clothing with UPF (ultraviolet protective factor) and simply staying out of the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UVB rays are at their strongest.
Treatment Options
There are many ways to lighten or remove brown spots. Consult with Dr. Golomb on your options.
