An article published in Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research stated that melasma is a common hyperpigmentary disorder. Although the impact on the quality of life of affected individuals is well demonstrated, demanding new therapeutic strategies, the treatment of melasma remains highly challenging.

The authors elaborated that melasma is often considered as the main consequence of female hormone stimulation on a predisposed genetic background. Apart from these two factors contributing to this acquired pigmentary disorder, the last decade has revealed several other key players from the complex pathophysiology of melasma.

This article summarized that melasma might be a photoaging skin disorder affecting genetically predisposed individuals. Such data must be taken into consideration by clinicians as they could have a profound impact on the treatment and the prevention of melasma.

Source: Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research. 2018 Jul;31(4):461-465.doi: 10.1111/pcmr.12684.