REVIEW   

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2017 February;152(1):36-45

DOI: 10.23736/S0392-0488.16.05425-0

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Melasma

Brian W. LEE ¹, Robert A. SCHWARTZ ^{1, 2}, Camila K. JANNIGER ¹ ✉

¹ Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; ² Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration, Newark, NJ, USA

Melasma is a common acquired hypermelanosis that primarily affects women of skin type IV-VI. It tends to appear on sun-exposed areas of face and neck. The exact pathogenesis is linked with many factors include ultraviolet radiation, pregnancy, hormonal activity, thyroid abnormalities, and medications. Melasma, which involves increased melanin production and melanocytosis, may be principally epidermal, dermal, or mixed. Mainstays of treatment include topical hypopigmenting agents, lasers, chemical peels, and dermabrasion.

KEY WORDS: Melanosis - Hyperpigmentation - Ultraviolet rays