• Melasma is a skin condition in which dark patches and spots develop on sun-exposed areas of the body.

• The face is a commonly affected area, including the cheeks, upper lip and forehead, as well as the forearms.

• Melasma can be induced by the hormones of pregnancy or birth control, exposure to the sun, or from heat exposure. While both men and women can be affected, this condition occurs most commonly in women.

• Melasma typically darkens and lightens over time, often getting worse in the summer and better in the winter.

There are many treatment options available for melasma, but unfortunately melasma can recur without strict sun protection and maintenance treatments.

Dr. Aivaz uses a variety of methods to treat melasma including, but not limited to:

• Chemical peels

• Melanage peel

• Microneedling

• Oral medication called tranexamic acid

• LaseMD with topical tranexamic acid solution

• Prescription-strength hydroquinone-based lightening creams

• Tailored skin care regimen with medical-grade cosmeceuticals

Unfortunately, there is no 100% guaranteed way to prevent melasma. The best way to try to minimize flares of melasma is very strict sun-protection, including sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and daily application of tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, SPF 50 or above. Avoiding triggers such as sun, heat, stress, and hormonal changes is also important.