Melasma
Melasma is a very common concern among patients at La Chele Medical Aesthetics and is usually found on the face, neck, hands, chest and back. Sun damage is the number one reason why melasma occurs as exposure to the sun increases the color-making cells in the skin (melanocytes) causing hyperpigmentation. This hyperpigmentation results in “dirty” looking patches that slowly develop over time and often worsen in the summer. People with skin of color are more prone to melasma because they have more active melanocytes than those with light skin. A change in hormones such as being pregnant, taking birth control pills and hormone replacements are other common melasma triggers.