Identifying Melasma on Your Skin: Symptoms & Diagnosis

Updated on: 20th February, 2024

Do you feel like you’ve tried everything to eliminate those unsightly brownish-grey patches on your skin? Are you curious about how to identify melasma and distinguish it from other skin conditions? 

Melasma is a common skin condition that causes dark, discoloured skin patches to develop on the face, neck, arms or other body parts frequently exposed to the sun. Melasma can affect people of all skin types but is more common in individuals with darker skin tones.

The exact cause of melasma is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with hormonal changes, sun exposure, genetics, and certain medications. While melasma is not dangerous, it can be aesthetically concerning and may cause emotional distress.

In this article, we will explore the symptoms of melasma and how to identify it. 

Let’s get started!

Symptoms of Melasma

The primary symptom of melasma is the appearance of brown or grey patches on the skin. The patches are usually symmetrical and appear on both sides of the face, primarily on the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, and chin. Other body areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the neck and forearms, can also be affected.

Melasma does not cause any other symptoms, such as itching or pain, but it can be aesthetically concerning and may cause emotional distress. Melasma can be classified into three types based on the depth of pigment in the skin: epidermal, dermal, or mixed. 

Diagnosis of Melasma

Let’s understand how to identify melasma.

Diagnosis of melasma typically involves a dermatologist’s visual examination of the affected skin. The dermatologist will look for the characteristic brown or greyish-brown patches of discolouration on the face and other body areas frequently exposed to the sun. 

In some cases, the dermatologist may use a special lamp called a Wood’s lamp, which emits ultraviolet light, to examine the skin more closely. When the Wood’s lamp is used to examine the skin, areas affected by melasma may appear brownish or greyish-brown under ultraviolet light. This can help the dermatologist determine the melasma’s extent and severity and guide treatment options.

A melasma doctor in Pune can also refer to a skin biopsy in severe cases. A small skin sample is removed and examined under a microscope during a biopsy to confirm the melasma diagnosis.

Both of these techniques can provide important information to dermatologists to help guide treatment options for their patients.