Acquired skin disease with symmetrical facial over-coloring mainly in women of
reproductive age and more often in dark skins. Caused by hormonal disorders
(pregnancy, contraceptives, thyroid) and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
There is usually a family history. Histologically, the melasma has an increased
presence of melanin in all layers of the skin. Treatments, although there are
many (lasers, peelings, whitening creams), usually do not completely recover
and recur very easily.