Melasma tends to occur in people with more olive or darker skin tones. Hormonal factors, such as pregnancy and the use of contraceptive pills containing oestrogen, can trigger this condition.

Even minimal sun exposure can produce melasma, which appears as brown pigmentation, often on the forehead and cheeks. This is why it is vitally important to use a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen when going outdoors.

In the initial stages, the pigmentation is superficial, sitting in the epidermis (the top layer of the skin), and melasma is relatively easy to treat. Often, sun avoidance, high-factor broad-spectrum sunscreen, and the appropriate use of non-hydroquinone products can effectively target this condition.

However, the longer melasma is present, the more difficult it becomes to treat. The pigment moves from the epidermis into the dermis (the deeper layer), making it harder to completely clear with non-prescription topical products.

You are welcome to start a live chat and send clear, makeup-free photos of the affected areas for our expert support team to review and determine if we can assist.

Alternatively, you can consult a dermatologist or a doctor experienced in treating hyperpigmentation.