The complexities of melasma
A global perspective on understanding the condition’s myriad challenges.
P015 – What’s Hot in Pigmentary Disorders
9-11 a.m. | Sunday, Aug. 4
Room 608
Research from around the globe will give 2024 AAD Innovation Academy attendees a better understanding of the physiological and diagnostic challenges of treating patients experiencing melasma. Panelists will explore the differential diagnosis and case studies as well as therapeutic pearls and challenges during the Sunday, Aug. 4, session, P015 – What’s Hot in Pigmentary Disorders.
AAD President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, will lead the session. Dr. Desai is the founder and medical director of Innovative Dermatology in Plano, Texas.
Melasma is a chronic relapsing condition due to an increased production and presence of melanin in the skin. It can happen in both men and women and is commonly on the face. But it can happen on other parts of the body as well, Dr. Desai said.
Dr. Desai will be joined by Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD, and Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD. Together, they will share tips for diagnosing, evaluating, and effectively assessing patients who have the condition; formulating melasma treatment regimens through topical, systemic, and procedural remedies; and applying knowledge from case-based accounts to understand melasma’s complexity and emerging treatments.
“I often tell my patients this is a condition which cannot be cured but can be managed through a variety of different techniques, including topical lightening agents, chemical peels, other physical modalities, and sometimes oral treatments,” he said.
According to Dr. Desai, many current treatments are off label and not FDA approved but have worked in clinical practice. Additionally, topical hydroquinone-based lightening agents are still a mainstay of treatment but have limitations as they cannot be used for a long period of time without the potential for side effects.
“Topical agents, including newer botanical agents, are being studied for the treatment of melasma,” he said. “Sunscreen is of paramount importance, and I like telling my patients to use sunscreen containing iron oxide, which helps to block visible light.”
