Question

What effect does sun exposure have on melasma?

While on vacation at my in laws beach house in North Carolina and also while in Antigua I noticed I was getting brown patches that looked like a mustache above my upper lip. When I got home it slowly faded, even after I had continued to be in the sun (I do always use sunblock). This year we went back to Antigua and the brown patches increased and seemed darker. I went to a dermotologist and found out I have Melasma caused by birth control pills. I have stopped using the pills and have been using a lightening cream.

It is summer and I miss being able to go to the beach or outside for a gathering with friends. The doctor told me to stay out of the sun or it would return.

I live in NY and have never seen the mustache appearance here- only when I was in Antigua and NC. Does the stronger sun there affect Melasma more or would it appear again if I was in the sun in NY? Thanks so much for your help and advice!


Asked by: Bebe531
Long Island, NY

Answers (1)

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful
1
September 22, 2008

Sun and Melasma

Tanya  Kormeili, MD
Tanya  Kormeili, MD
Board Certified
Dermatologist

Sun is bad for melasma! Just bad! And you are right, if the sun is stronger and you have a longer exposure to it you are more likely to have discoloration associated with the sun. You can get a cute and fancy hat to protect your face while visiting your friends. Wear sunscreen and reapply if you are out often. There are many treatments for melasma but none are "instant and great!" Have a great time and enjoy your friends but don't let direct sun exposure ruin your face for months to come after!

Write a comment

(required, shown publicly)
(required, kept private)
  • Allowed HTML tags: <p> <br> <em> <strong> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <div>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • You may link to webpages through the weblinks registry

More information about formatting options

CAPTCHA
Enter the numbers in the image below (no spaces)
Image CAPTCHA

Comments for unregistered users are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Community Guidelines

Check out more Q+A about Melasma

Have a question? Ask it

IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.
  •     Cancel