Hyperpigmentation and melasma in skin are caused by an increase in melanin production (pigment created by our body). Go figure, right

While hyperpigmentation and melasma are not painful and do not present any health risks, they can cause extreme emotional distress. Yeah, I feel your pain.

What can trigger an increase in melanin production? Pregnancy, genetic predisposition, exposure to the sun, Addison’s disease, hormone imbalance and certain drugs such as antibiotics, antimalarial drugs (widely used for auto-immune diseases) can cause hyperpigmentation and melasma in skin.

Luckily, now there are many treatments available to treat such conditions

Avoid the sun as much as possible and use sunscreen that has zinc and titanium dioxide which will block all the light from different wavelengths!!. My favorite sunscreen is Tizo. It feels so silky on my face.
Topical hydroquinone to block melanin production and topical retinols to clear those dark patches or spots more quickly
Chemical peel such as glycolic acid.
Pigmented lesion laser procedures such as Picosecond laser and RF microneedling.
Fight skin stress with antioxidant serum like vitamin C and E topical after washing your face or skin.