Can melasma be prevented?

There isn’t a medication or skincare regimen that can prevent melasma, but there are measures you can take that may help reduce your risk of developing melasma.

Melasma may become darker when skin is exposed to the sun. Minimizing your exposure to sunlight can help prevent further darkening of existing melasma, as well as the formation of new patches. This is especially important for women who take birth control pills or hormone replacement supplements, and for people who have had melasma in the past.

To help reduce your risk for developing melasma, most dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen every day. Look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection (that means it blocks both UVA and UVB rays) and has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher.

Even the level of sun exposure you can get from sitting next to a window can be enough to trigger melasma if your skin is unprotected, so it’s critical to wear sunscreen every day, regardless of whether or not you plan on being outdoors.

Additionally, some medications may trigger melasma. If you feel one of your medications is triggering or worsening the condition, talk to your doctor about alternatives.