Pathogenesis and Update on the Management of Melasma

Abstract

Melasma is a disfiguring skin disorder characterised by brown or grey-brown patches on the skin, often affecting the face. It is frequently recalcitrant to treatment. Melasma treatment options vary in mode and effectiveness, including topical creams, laser therapies, and systemic medications. Despite the array of available treatments, achieving consistent and satisfactory results remains difficult, which necessitates ongoing research to develop safer and more effective therapeutic strategies for treatment of melasma. The aim of the article is to provide a comprehensive review of the current understanding of melasma's complex pathogenesis, as well as to examine and evaluate existing and emerging treatment options to guide clinical approaches for more effective and individualized management of melasma.