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What are age spots?

	Liver spots?
	Brown spots?
	Sun spots?

What causes age spots?

How can I remove/get rid
of them?

Can they be dangerous/
cancerous?

Does tanning impact age
spots?

Do they need to be treated?

How can I prevent them?

What is melasma?

What are white spots?

Laser Treatment

	What does laser treatment cost?
	Does it hurt?

Microdermabrasion

Topical Products

How to Choose a Doctor

Pre-Treatment Questions

American Academy of Dermatology

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

American Society of Plastic
Surgeons

What is Melasma?

Melasma, or chloasma or the ‘mask of pregnancy’ as it is also called, are tan or brown spots which discolor the skin. It is most commonly found among woman, especially pregnant women or those taking hormone replacement therapy medications.

Generally the symptoms include dark patches and spots on the cheeks, nose, forehead or upperlip. They may develop and worsen over time. Melasma is a purely cosmetic concern, though any unusual spotting should be diagnosed by a qualified dermatologist to determine if it is skin cancer.

What Causes Melasma?

Genetics, hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, and extrinsic factors such as sun exposure are thought to be the cause of Melasma. Hormones stimulate the production of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in our skin, as they become exposed by the sun. The increased melanin production causes the spotting we see with Melasma.

Avoiding the Sun

As with most skin conditions, the sun doesn’t help melasma. Wearing sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection will help protect the skin and diminish the factors contributing to a worsening of the condition.

Treatments

There are a number of treatments available for melasma. Some include:

Laser Treatment to remove the discoloration in the skin
Azelaic Acid
Tretinoin (not during pregnancy)
Topical Creams like Hydroquinone
Chemical Peels

Treatment Options can be viewed here: How Can I Remove Age Spots?, Laser Treatment for Age Spots, Choosing a Doctor

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Last Modified: August 24, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions
		What is hyperpigmentation?		What is Ultraviolet Light?
		What is hypopigmentation?		What are the five signs of sun-aged skin?
		What is the Stratum Corneum?		What is Melanin?
		What is the Dermis?		What is Cryotherapy?
		What is the Epidermis?		What are Seborrheic Keratosis?
		What is photo-damage?

The information contained in the above article is purely for educational purposes and is not intended to provide any medical advice. Always consult with your physician before having any medical procedure performed.