Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition caused by an overproduction of melanocytes, the cells that produce skin pigmentation. There are several different kinds of hyperpigmentation, but melasma is a harder nut to crack when it comes to causes and treatment. In terms of appearance, melasma can be characterized by dark, discolored patches on the face in a symmetrical fashion.Three common melasma facial patterns include the center of the face (centrofacial), cheekbones (malar), and jawbone (mandibular.) Though rare, it can also appear on the neck and forearms. It isn’t entirely clear what causes melasma. However, it’s associated with sun exposure (especially in the summer months), estrogen and progesterone sensitivity (think pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone therapy, etc.), stress, heredity, race, and anti-seizure medicine.According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 90 percent of people who develop melasma are women (they’re affected nine more times than men), many of who...
