I have pigmentation on my forehead and face which my doctor has called chloasma or melasma – is there an easy way to reduce this pigmentation which always seems to get worse in the sunshine?
Chloasma/Melasma is a pigmentary change on the face, most commonly in women. In many patients it seems to be related to hormonal change – for example it tends to appear whilst either taking the oral contraceptive pill or alternatively in relationship to being pregnant or having children. Patients with quite a dark complexion or patients with Asian colouring, tend to get the problem worse but very fair patients can also get the disorder. The forehead, the bridge of the nose and the cheeks are the most commonly affected areas. The affected site tends to become slightly darker than the surrounding skin and the problem tends to spread with each passing year particularly if sunshine exposure is not avoided. Skin lightening creams such as those containing hydroquinone are not usually very helpful and many patients find them of no benefit whatever. IPL/laser therapies are often equally unhelpful. However, some patients do find this type of treatment to be of some benefit but the benefit is us
