Management of Melasma is long-term; no shortcuts, says Dr K S Prasanna

 Management of Melasma is long-term; no shortcuts

Among several pigmentary disorders, melasma continues to be a common facial pigmentation condition that is most challenging to manage. Melasma presents as dark patches with irregular outlines, most commonly seen on the face, affecting millions worldwide, predominantly women.

The diagnosis of melasma, while seemingly straightforward, requires careful evaluation. "What makes melasma particularly challenging is its multifactorial nature. While we understand that hormones, sun exposure, and genetic predisposition play significant roles, the complex interplay of these factors makes each case unique. Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and hereditary factors can trigger or worsen the condition, but the exact mechanism isn't fully understood," says senior dermatologist Dr K S Prasanna.

As melasma has a high recurrence rate, even with appropriate treatment, the condition often requires long-term management rather than offering a permanent cure. "We recommend an integrated treatment for patients suffering from melasma as the psychological impact on patients can be significant. The facial pigmentation affects their self-image and quality of life."

Apart from medication, we provide diet and stress management guidance for patients. "Aggressive protection from the sun is the cornerstone for managing melasma. Even brief sun exposure can trigger recurrence. So, patient education and compliance are crucial. We can achieve significant improvement through treatment, but managing the condition is necessarily long-term," she added