Melasma is a non-harmful condition which is often referred to as the ‘mask of pregnancy’. It is not contagious and it appears due to over exposure to the suns potentially harmful rays. It usually appears on the face which is the most common place to be affected by the sun, and it appears as darker colored patches of skin.

Melasma is split into different types including epidermal Melasma and Dermal Melasma. So how exactly do you know which one you have?

The only way you can tell Epidermal and Dermal Melasma apart, is by using the Wood’s Light examination. If during the examination the condition is accentuated, then it is more likely to be Epidermal Melasma as Dermal Melasma does not accentuate under the examination usually.

So what is the difference between the two conditions? Well, Epidermal Melasma is where the condition is in the epidermis of the skin, which is basically the outer layer of the skin. Dermal Melasma is where the condition is actually deep inside the Dermis, and that can make it really hard to treat.

It has been said that Dermal Melasma is a lot harder to treat than Epidermal Melasma, due to the fact that it is deeper in the skin. Epidermal Melasma is fairly easy to control and it reacts well to topical treatments as they can generally get to the cause of the problem a lot easier.

However, with Dermal Melasma, the reason it is so hard to treat, is because it takes a lot more effort from the treatment used, to actually reach the cause of the problem. Some people claim that this makes it impossible to treat the condition; however some experts say that you only have to increase the intensity of the treatment, in order for it to work on Dermal Melasma as effectively as it does on Epidermal Melasma.

The most common treatment for any type of Melasma is the constant use of sunscreen. Whilst it may not eliminate the problem, it does prevent it from becoming worse than it already is. Bleaching creams are the most common topical medicines used and they are usually really effective at reducing the appearance of the condition. Sometimes the condition does not fully go away, it is merely controlled and its appearance can be reduced over time.

Chemical peels are sometimes recommended, though there are some risks involved with that. Not only is it fairly painful, but it can also cause problems for darker skins and proper research should be done before you even think of having it done.

It is possible for the condition to disappear of its own accord, though with Dermal Melasma that is unlikely. It mainly disappears if it is only developed through pregnancy and it is triggered by hormones. That way, when the hormones calm down again, the Melasma disappears again.

It is possible to have both Epidermal and Dermal Melasma at the same time, and usually with this a combination of treatments is often needed. Combination Melasma does not respond well to treatment, and Dermal Melasma responds even worse. There are several ways to control it however, and the person you really need to speak to about the condition is either your doctor or your Dermatologist. They will be able to properly diagnose the condition using the Wood’s Light examination, and they will be able to suggest the best treatment for you.

Overall never agree to a treatment that you are not happy with, and if any treatment you have been given do not produce results after around six months, it is always better to consult your doctor or Dermatologist again.