Hormonal pigmentation (melasma, chloasma) is a very specific type of skin pigmentation. It is mostly seen in women and is related to skin type (darker skin), genetics (family history), hormonal factors (pregnancy, contraceptive hormones) and UV exposure.

Some people find the condition frustrating and distressing as there are no effective "over the counter" treatments and the condition does having the tendency to recur.

How we treat:

Strict sun protection of the affected areas.

UVA is thought to be the main wavelength that triggers the pigmentation so look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid direct and reflected sunlight. Even the light reflection off water, light coloured surfaces and sand will darker the pigmentation.

Niacinamide (Nicotinamide)

There's a growing body of evidence that niacinamide (vitamin B3) treats many skin issues. For pigmentation, vitB3 prevents the transfer of pigment from the bottom to the top layers of skin. This can be used as skin serum (very concentrated form to applied to the skin in the morning) and as oral vitamin supplementation.