What are the main types of melasma

Melasma can be classified into three types :

• Epidermal melasma:

It involves the pigmentation of outer skin layer, and it is relatively easy to treat. it is characterized by light to dark brown patches with well-defined borders located in the top skin layer.

• Dermal melasma:

It involves the pigmentation of deeper layers of skin, it appears bluish grey or light brown with blurry borders

• Mixed melasma:

It involves the pigmentation of both epidermis and dermis, and appears brown or bluish grey.

Melasma occurs in certain specific patterns like

(1)  Centrofacial: It involves forehead, cheeks, upper lips and nose

(2)  Malar: It affects nose and cheeks

(3)  Mandibular: It affects jawline and chin

(4)  Extrafacial: I affects body parts other than face

Hopefully this information would help in identifying your specific type and pattern of melasma