2.  “Mask of Pregnancy” is a tan or dark skin discoloration.  Mostly in women who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications.

3.  The pigmentation is due to overproduction of melanin produced by the pigment cells, melanocytes.

5.  Patches of grey – brown patches on face.  Melasma doesn’t cause any symptoms but many people dislike the way melasma makes their skin look  These patches most commonly appear on the : › Cheeks › Forehead › Bridge of the nose › Above the upper lip › Chin

6.  The cause is not clear.  People with skin of color are more prone to melasma because they have more active melanocytes  Sun exposure  A change in horomones  Cosmetics

7.  It can fade on its own  Hydroquinone – topical ointment, non- prescription  Tretinoin and corticosteroids- enhances skin lightening  Procedures – chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion

8.  If melasma goes untreated, it isn't that big of a deal but it could possibly never go away.

9.  Not positively hereditary but studies show that most people with a family history of melasma inherit it.  Mostly common among women but some cases show men have melasma  Mostly pregnant women who had been taking hormones get melasma

10.  http://www.skin-whitening-product.com/treatment-for-melasma.html http://www.skin-whitening-product.com/treatment-for-melasma.html  http://www.pgbeautygroomingscience.com/skin-color.php http://www.pgbeautygroomingscience.com/skin-color.php  http://bestofbothworldsaz.com/2011/03/09/melasma-the-pregnancy-mask/ http://bestofbothworldsaz.com/2011/03/09/melasma-the-pregnancy-mask/  http://www.illuminatural6ireview.org/how-to-treat-melasma/ http://www.illuminatural6ireview.org/how-to-treat-melasma/  http://shinobayderm.com/cosmelan_md.html http://shinobayderm.com/cosmelan_md.html  http://doctorv.ca/medical-conditions/white-or-brown-discolouration/melasma- cholasma-mask-of-pregnancy/ http://doctorv.ca/medical-conditions/white-or-brown-discolouration/melasma- cholasma-mask-of-pregnancy/  http://melasma-treatment-melbourne.street-directory.com.au/ http://melasma-treatment-melbourne.street-directory.com.au/  http://www.panoramadermatologyclinic.co.za/melasma/ http://www.panoramadermatologyclinic.co.za/melasma/  http://www.truthinaging.com/review/melasma-what-it-is-and-how-to-treat-it http://www.truthinaging.com/review/melasma-what-it-is-and-how-to-treat-it