Halloween Has Past, So Why Hasn't My Mask?

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes discolored patches on the cheeks, forehead, chin, bridge of the nose, and above the upper lip. While the exact cause is unknown, it appears to be an interaction between hormones and the sun. Melasma is often triggered by hormonal changes in women, such as taking a birth control pill, or at other times when hormones fluctuate. In fact, melasma is often better known by its pseudonym, "The Mask of Pregnancy."  Protection from the sun with sunscreen and hats is the best way to prevent and treat melasma. Your dermatologist can also recommend a bleaching regimen, as well as light and laser therapies that are effective for restoring an even skin tone and coloration.