Melasma is a common skin condition in both men and women. It is characterized by large, dark patches of skin over certain parts of the face. This skin discoloration, or hyperpigmentation, is generally seen across the forehead, cheeks and nose.

It is most often seen in people with darker or olive toned skin, but can affect anyone. 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 is not by any means a dangerous condition, however, it can significantly alter your appearance. In fact, in some people it can show up as very noticeable, dark spots. For this reason, melasma treatment is a priority for the people who have developed it.

The most common options include:

*Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a great way of treating melasma because the intensity of the peel can be controlled to best suit your needs. The depth of the peel will depend on the chemicals the specialist uses to perform it. Any discomfort that you might feel can be treated with cooling agents and/or topical anesthetics.

*Laser Treatment

Laser resurfacing can also be applied at different depths depending on your needs. This procedure offers the specialist great control over the area that is being treated. In other words, it can treat the affected area without interfering 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 want a gentler treatment that requires no downtime, then 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. They will probably work best over larger areas of the skin as it is difficult to apply them on a tiny spot.

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. If you are not careful and expose your skin to direct sunlight, you could cause the melasma to reappear.

Therefore, avoid going out into the sun without wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply frequently during the day. One last tip, wear wide brimmed hats to keep the sun from directly hitting your face.