Both men and women can suffer from melasma. It produces large, dark patches of skin over certain parts of your face. This skin discoloration, or hyperpigmentation, is generally seen across the forehead, cheeks and nose.

It can affect anyone, but it is more often seen in people with darker or olive toned skin. Melasma is usually caused by two different factors: hormonal fluctuations and excessive sun exposure. In pregnant women it is normal to see these marks appear because of hormonal changes.

Melasma may sound dangerous, but it is by no means a dangerous condition. However, it can significantly alter your appearance. As a matter of fact, in some people it can show up as very noticeable, dark spots, and for this reason, melasma treatment is a priority for those who have developed it.

The most common options include:

*Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a great option in the treatment of melasma because the intensity of the peel can be controlled to best suit your needs. The depth of the chemical peel will depend on the chemicals used by the specialist. If you experience any discomfort, you can treat it with cooling agents or topical anesthetics.

*Laser Treatment

Laser resurfacing can also be applied at different depths depending on your needs. This procedure offers the specialist the possibility of controlling the area that is being treated. In other words, it can repair the affected skin and not interfere with the surrounding tissue.

You will need a local anesthetic for this procedure. Both swelling and redness are normal effects of laser treatments.

*Microdermabrasion

If you would like a gentler treatment that requires no downtime, microdermabrasion is the ideal treatment option for you. It requires no anesthesia, however, you might need to undergo several sessions before seeing definite results.

*Bleaching Creams

Bleaching creams are also used to correct skin tone problems and melasma. These products help lighten the skin and are best if used on large patches of skin - it is difficult to apply them to small areas.

All of the previous procedures and products have one vital goal in common: to get an even skin tone. Nevertheless, the effects are not permanent if you don't take the proper care. Exposing your skin to sun exposure can cause melasma to reappear.

Therefore, wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply frequently during the day. Also, wear wide brimmed hats to keep the sun from directly hitting your face.