Many factors are responsible for the development of melasma, including genetics, hormonal effects, UV damage and solar ageing. Beyond an increase in pigment production in the skin, many changes occur, including damage to the basement membrane, disruption of the extracellular matrix, an increase in blood vessels, and an increase in mast cell numbers. Because there's no single treatment that addresses all of these forms of damage, treatment needs to proceed using a combination of several methods together. Today, pigmentation of this kind is recognised as a chronic skin condition.
The best way to find out which treatment is suitable for you is to consult your dermatologist. We plan the treatment based on the patient's age, skin colour, how long the pigmentation has been present, medications being used, existing conditions, and the type and extent of the pigmentation. In other words, treatment is tailored to each individual patient. For this reason, a method that works well for someone else may not work for you. Pigmentation can recur after treatment. For this reason, follow-up and protective measures are important. Whether or not you have treatment, don't neglect sun protection.