No melasma treatment offers permanent results, so we recommend maintenance therapy that can prevent melasma from coming back. Certain common-sense tactics can also help avoid melasma from developing in the first place. These include:
- Daily sunscreen use. Since sunlight is one of the biggest triggers for melasma, daily sunscreen use is non-negotiable to keep it at bay. Choose a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Outdoor hats. Broad-brimmed hats help keep rays off vulnerable parts of the face. Seek shade whenever outdoors, as well.
- Gentle skin care. Since products that irritate the skin exacerbate melasma, use gentle products that don't sting or burn.
- Melasma may not be completely preventable, even with the best skin care and precautions, but in the vast majority of cases, efforts to prevent it or treat it are successful at keeping those annoying spots away.