Melasma is a dark spot that can appear on men’s skin, especially on the face, in places such as the forehead, cheekbones, lips or chin.
Although it is more common in women, due to hormonal changes, this problem can also affect some men, mainly due to excessive sun exposure. Find out more about melasma.
Although no specific type of treatment is necessary, as these spots do not cause any symptoms or health problems, it may be necessary to start treatment to improve the aesthetics of the skin.
Possible causes of melasma in men
There is still no specific cause for the appearance of melasma in men, however some situations seem to be more related to the appearance of the spots, such as:
- Exaggerated sun exposure;
- Darker skin;
- Decrease in the amount of circulating testosterone;
- Increased concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in men.
Therefore, the dermatologist may recommend blood tests to investigate the cause of melasma and/or the risk of its appearance, especially if there are other cases of melasma in men in the family.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment should always be guided by a dermatologist, as it is necessary to adapt treatment techniques to each skin type and intensity of the spot. However, the general guidelines include some precautions that must be followed in all cases, such as:
- Avoid sunbathing for long periods;
- Apply sunscreen with factor 50 whenever you need to go out on the street;
- Wear a hat or cap to protect the face from the sun;
- Do not use aftershave creams or lotions that contain alcohol or substances that irritate the skin.
In some cases, these precautions are enough to reduce the intensity of the spots on the skin. However, when the spot persists, the doctor may recommend treatment with specific substances, such as hypopigmentation agents that include hydroquinone, kojic acid, mequinol or tretinoin, for example.
When the spots are permanent and do not disappear with any of the substances indicated above, the dermatologist may suggest doing peeling chemical or laser treatment, which need to be done in the office.
