Objectives:

Melasma is an acquired pigmentation disorder characterized by hyperpigmented lesions most commonly located in the face area. Although the etiology is not fully known; genetic factors, ultraviolet exposure, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), hormones, pregnancy, drug use, cosmetic products, endocrinological diseases, and psychological factors can trigger. In our study, it was aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with melasma and to contribute to the data in our country.

Methods:

The data of patients who applied to the dermatology clinic between 2013-2021 and were diagnosed with melasma were retrospectively analyzed. Age, sex, Fitzpatrick skin type, clinical type of melasma, sunscreen use, pregnancy, OCP use, other drug use, and family history of the patients were examined. In addition, the results of free T3 and T4, TSH, and thyroid autoantibodies were recorded. SPSS 26 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

Two hundred and ninety-three patients were included in the study and their mean age was 37.17±7.97 years, all of whom were female. 4.4% of the patients had skin type II, 51.2% had skin type III and 44% had skin type IV. Melasma was 48.5% malar, 45.1% centrofacial and 3.8% mandibular type. Pregnancy was detected in 34.5%, family history in 17.4%, and OCP use in 13% of the cases. In cases triggered by pregnancy, malar, and mandibular type were significantly higher, while the centrofacial type rate was significantly lower (p<0.05). The rate of using sunscreen was higher in patients with skin type II (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Melasma is a pigmentation disorder that most commonly develops due to pregnancy, ultraviolet exposure, and OCP use and is more common in women. Although sun protection is effective in preventing the disease, very few patients apply sunscreen regularly.

Keywords: Melasma, Etiology, Clinical Features