As the seasons shift, a majority of women will find melasma, the mask-like pigmentation disorder, has returned during the last few months of summer. Melasma is a pesky, chronic skin discoloration triggered by a variety of factors: hormone fluctuations, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, exposure to excessive sun, heat, or plain old genetics. Getting rid of melasma is almost impossible; it never really goes away. Its persistence makes COVID-related “mask-ne” look like child’s play.
However, there are various internal and external options to treat melasma and keep it under control—including a strict skincare routine that cuts out unnecessary exposure to heat and sun. (Discipline in relation to sun protection is always a key factor, as anyone with this condition will tell you. Even after months of successfully keeping hyperpigmentation at bay, it takes only an hour without a hat under the sun to have it all reappear again.)
We consulted a handful of the most respected dermatologists, skin experts, and even a model who battles melasma (it is, after all, her vocation to have clear skin) about their diverse approaches when it comes to managing melasma to help guide you in determining what methods are ideal and effective for you and your lifestyle.