Melasma primarily occurs in which areas of the body?
Disease description:
My mother is 47 years old this year, and recently she has developed many spots on her body. We suspect they might be melasma. We would like to know in which areas of the body melasma commonly occurs?
Melasma primarily occurs on the face, especially in areas with high sun exposure such as the malar region, cheeks, forehead, dorsum of the nose, and mandibular area. These regions are prone to abnormal melanin metabolism due to frequent exposure to ultraviolet radiation, leading to the formation of light yellow or brown pigmented spots. The skin lesions of melasma are characterized by brown macules or patches, showing a symmetrical distribution with irregular shapes, including round, linear, butterfly-like, and other morphologies.
In addition, although melasma mainly affects the face, a small number of patients may also develop lesions on other areas such as the forearms. The development of melasma is associated with multiple factors, including endocrine disorders, ultraviolet radiation, and genetic predisposition. Therefore, to prevent melasma, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and use appropriate sun protection products.