Melasma in Men

The document from 2015 addressed the issue of melasma in men, a less common but significant cosmetic concern characterized by hyperpigmentation, particularly in sun-exposed areas. It highlighted the challenges in treating melasma in men, including their tendency to avoid complex treatment regimens and the lack of quick-fix solutions. Various treatments were discussed, such as strict sun avoidance, broad-spectrum sunscreens, and topical therapies like hydroquinone and tretinoin. Chemical peels and lasers were also mentioned, with a study of 50 patients showing that the QS Nd:YAG laser was effective but had high recurrence rates, and another trial with 51 patients indicating that the 1550 nm fractional nonablative laser was not significantly better than sunscreen alone. The document concluded that while epidermal melasma may respond to topical agents, dermal melasma is more challenging to treat and may require additional interventions.