Therapeutical approaches in melasma.
Melasma (cloasma) is a typical hypermelanosis and a common dermatologic skin disease that involves sun-exposed areas of the skin. It mostly affects women of reproductive age. Solar and ultraviolet exposure are the most crucial etiologic factors. Pregnancy, certain endocrine disorders and hormonal treatments, cosmetics, phototoxic drugs, and antiseizure medications are well-known inducing and exacerbating factors. A classification of melasma is based on Wood's light examination, classifying it in four major clinical types and patterns: epidermal, dermal, mixed, and indeterminate. Different treatment options are currently available for melasma. The choice of proper treatment should take into account the type of melasma to be treated, the skin complexion of the patient, possible previous treatments, the expectations and compliance of the patient, and the season in which the treatment is started.
Prignano
Francesca
F
Department of Dermatological Science, University of Florence School of Medicine, via Lorenzo di Magnifico, 104, 50129 Florence, Italy. fprignano@infinito.lit
Ortonne
Jean-Paul
JP
Buggiani
Gionata
G
Lotti
Torello
T
D002615:Chemexfoliation; D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008548:Melanosis / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011753:Pyrones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006873:Hydroquinones; D062385:Hydroxybenzoates; D011753:Pyrones; D014212:Tretinoin; C011890:kojic acid; C010038:azelaic acid; C017616:phenolic acid; C031927:hydroquinone